The only world Boy knows is "The Show", an odd assortment of
supposedly fictional beings who entertain humans regularly
with their show. Unfortunately, even among the other so-
called monsters, Boy is still an outsider. After all, they
are all magical beings whereas he is rooted in a mixture of
science and magic. It's tough being the son of
Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride but Boy is determined
to find his own path... even if it means venturing into the
human world.
MAN MADE BOY is a lot of fun to read, as we see creatures
from various mythologies and literature come to life in a
whole new light. The storyline is strange but since the main
character is stitched together by the Bride and
Frankenstein's Monster, the concept works. I particularly
like how the tale comes full circle as it gives readers a
new perspective on some of the old classics and myths.
Boy, despite his odd creation, is a typical teenage boy in
many ways. He doesn't know what he wants to do in life but
he knows that what he's currently doing isn't it. He makes
one huge mistake in judgment that dearly costs him and it is
interesting to see how he learns from his past decisions. I
did get a little weary of the name "Boy" and wish that he
would have picked a better name but that is a minor detail
and in some ways made the tale more universal as anyone
could be simply "Boy".
MAN MADE BOY is a strangely compelling tale to read. The
characters are bizarre but likable, especially the
Claire/Sophie take on the Jekyll and Hyde theme. The
commentary on social workers made me laugh out loud and
added a twist of reality to the oddity of the tale. If you
are looking for something well written but far different
from the typical paranormal book with monsters, then MAN
MADE BOY is definitely the choice for you!
Love can be a real monster.
Sixteen-year-old Boy’s never left home. When you’re the
son of Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride, it’s tough
to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention
of a torch-wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live
in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square,
it’s important they maintain a low profile.
Boy’s only interactions with the world are through the
Internet, where he’s a hacker extraordinaire who can hide
his hulking body and stitched-together face behind a layer
of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and
embarks on a cross-country road trip with the granddaughters
of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners,
love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he
can’t escape his demons—both literal and
figurative—until he faces his family once more.
This hilarious, romantic, and wildly imaginative tale
redefines what it means to be a monster—and a man.