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Ο δεκαεξάχρονος Ρόμπερτ είναι ναρκωμένος. Μια απλή ιατρική εξέταση πήγε στραβά.
«Τι στο διάολο είναι αυτό;»
«Αυτό, κύριε Ράιαν, είναι το εσωτερικό του αγοριού».
«Χριστέ μου� λες και είναι πλαστικό».
Ο Ρόμπερτ ξυπνάει αργά, ακούει, αισθάνεται, όμως δεν μπορεί να ουρλιάξει. Η εγχείρηση δεν έχει τελειώσει. Η ζωή του όμως, όπως την ξέρει μέχρι τώρα, έχει τελειώσει οριστικά.
«Τι στο διάολο είσαι;»
Ο Ρόμπερτ τρέπεται σε φυγή? είναι τρομοκρατημένος και απεγνωσμένος να βρει απαντήσεις. Τι συμβαίνει όμως όταν οι απαντήσεις προκαλούν ανείπωτο τρόμο;
Το απότομο ξύπνημα σε χειρουργικό κρεβάτι είναι από τους πιο φρικιαστικούς εφιάλτες που μπορεί να έχει ο άνθρωπος. Για τον δεκαεξάχρονο Ρόμπερτ Σμιθ, όμως, είναι πραγματικότητα, και το ξύπνημα είναι μόνο η αρχή.
«Μια αριστοτεχνική, ανατριχιαστική, βαθιά βουτιά στα ζοφερά βάθη της αισθηματικής επιστημονικής φαντασίας. Γράφει μια συνταρακτική ιστορία». (Μεγκ Ρόσοφ, συγγραφέας)
«Ο Μπρουκς είναι αναμφισβήτητα από τους κορυφαίους συγγραφείς νεανικής λογοτεχνίας». (Irish Times)
«Ένα δυναμικό θρίλερ και ενδεχομένως το πιο θορυβώδες βιβλίο που γράφτηκε ποτέ». (Observer)
«Πολύ καλό. Να έχετε τον νου σας σ� αυτόν τον τύπο, είναι αστέρι». (Μέλβιν Μπέρτζες)
«…Ανυπομονείς να πεις σε όλους πόσο καλό είναι». (Sunday Times, Lucas)
«…� γλυκός του τίτλος δεν προμηνύει σε τίποτα την καταιγιστική του δράση? κάτι σκοτεινό ελλοχεύει σε κάθε σελίδα και δεν υπάρχουν βολικές απαντήσεις...». (Guardian)
«Αυτό το συναρπαστικό θρίλερ θα σας κόψει την ανάσα». (Scotsman)
Ο δεκαεξάχρονος Ρόμπερτ είναι ναρκωμένος. Μια απλή ιατρική εξέταση πήγε στραβά.
«Τι στο διάολο είναι αυτό;»
«Αυτό, κύριε Ράιαν, είναι το εσωτερικό του αγοριού».
«Χριστέ μου� λες και είναι πλαστικό».
Ο Ρόμπερτ ξυπνάει αργά, ακούει, αισθάνεται, όμως δεν μπορεί να ουρλιάξει. Η εγχείρηση δεν έχει τελειώσει. Η ζωή του όμως, όπως την ξέρει μέχρι τώρα, έχει τελειώσει οριστικά.
«Τι στο διάολο είσαι;»
Ο Ρόμπερτ τρέπεται σε φυγή? είναι τρομοκρατημένος και απεγνωσμένος να βρει απαντήσεις. Τι συμβαίνει όμως όταν οι απαντήσεις προκαλούν ανείπωτο τρόμο;
Το απότομο ξύπνημα σε χειρουργικό κρεβάτι είναι από τους πιο φρικιαστικούς εφιάλτες που μπορεί να έχει ο άνθρωπος. Για τον δεκαεξάχρονο Ρόμπερτ Σμιθ, όμως, είναι πραγματικότητα, και το ξύπνημα είναι μόνο η αρχή.
«Μια αριστοτεχνική, ανατριχιαστική, βαθιά βουτιά στα ζοφερά βάθη της αισθηματικής επιστημονικής φαντασίας. Γράφει μια συνταρακτική ιστορία». (Μεγκ Ρόσοφ, συγγραφέας)
«Ο Μπρουκς είναι αναμφισβήτητα από τους κορυφαίους συγγραφείς νεανικής λογοτεχνίας». (Irish Times)
«Ένα δυναμικό θρίλερ και ενδεχομένως το πιο θορυβώδες βιβλίο που γράφτηκε ποτέ». (Observer)
«Πολύ καλό. Να έχετε τον νου σας σ� αυτόν τον τύπο, είναι αστέρι». (Μέλβιν Μπέρτζες)
«…Ανυπομονείς να πεις σε όλους πόσο καλό είναι». (Sunday Times, Lucas)
«…� γλυκός του τίτλος δεν προμηνύει σε τίποτα την καταιγιστική του δράση? κάτι σκοτεινό ελλοχεύει σε κάθε σελίδα και δεν υπάρχουν βολικές απαντήσεις...». (Guardian)
«Αυτό το συναρπαστικό θρίλερ θα σας κόψει την ανάσα». (Scotsman)
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
66 people are currently reading
1,676 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Brooks
68books874followersKevin Brooks was born in 1959 and grew up in Exeter, Devon, England. He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Birmingham, Aston University in 1980 and Cultural Studies in London in 1983. Kevin Brooks has been in a variety of jobs including: musician, gasoline station attendant, crematorium handyman, civil service clerk, hot dog vendor at the London Zoo, post office clerk, and railway ticket office clerk.
Kevin Brooks's writing career started with the publication of Martyn Pig in 2002 through The Chicken House which won the Branford Boase Award 2003 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He also wrote Lucas (2002) which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and Booktrust Teenage Prize in 2003 also winning the North East Book Award in 2004.
In 2004 he published Kissing the Rain and Bloodline and I See You, Baby and Candy in 2005. In 2006 he published 3 books including: Johnny Delgado Series - Like Father, Like Son and Private Detective as well as The Road of the Dead; a standalone novel. In February 2008 he published the standalone book Black Rabbit Summer.
As a child, Kevin Brooks enjoyed reading detective novels. He writes most plots of the various books he has written around crime fiction. He likes mystery and suspence and enjoys putting both of those components into each and every story he writes in some shape or form.
Kevin Brooks's writing career started with the publication of Martyn Pig in 2002 through The Chicken House which won the Branford Boase Award 2003 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He also wrote Lucas (2002) which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and Booktrust Teenage Prize in 2003 also winning the North East Book Award in 2004.
In 2004 he published Kissing the Rain and Bloodline and I See You, Baby and Candy in 2005. In 2006 he published 3 books including: Johnny Delgado Series - Like Father, Like Son and Private Detective as well as The Road of the Dead; a standalone novel. In February 2008 he published the standalone book Black Rabbit Summer.
As a child, Kevin Brooks enjoyed reading detective novels. He writes most plots of the various books he has written around crime fiction. He likes mystery and suspence and enjoys putting both of those components into each and every story he writes in some shape or form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
May 4, 2016
Ended up being more philosophical than I had expected but I still enjoyed it.
So, you’re sixteen and you’re having some stomach pain. Your foster parents have to work so you go to the doctor’s appointment by yourself. It’s just routine they said. No big deal. So why not right? It’s just a simple fiber-optic camera down the throat. What could go wrong?
When Robert Smith wakes up during the middle of the procedure and learns his insides are wires, oil, pumps and plastic, he begins a long struggle to get some answers but more than anything he just wants to continue Being human.
Bad men with guns are now after him. Everyone he knows seems to be disappearing. So Robert runs.
Much of the story revolves around the stress and excitement of Being chased by some all powerful government group. But the real underlying message is a philosophical one. Do you have to be flesh and blood to be human, to be a real person.
Have you seen inside yourself? Do you know what you’re made of inside? Are you flesh and blood or plastic and oil? Does it really matter?
So, you’re sixteen and you’re having some stomach pain. Your foster parents have to work so you go to the doctor’s appointment by yourself. It’s just routine they said. No big deal. So why not right? It’s just a simple fiber-optic camera down the throat. What could go wrong?
When Robert Smith wakes up during the middle of the procedure and learns his insides are wires, oil, pumps and plastic, he begins a long struggle to get some answers but more than anything he just wants to continue Being human.
Bad men with guns are now after him. Everyone he knows seems to be disappearing. So Robert runs.
Much of the story revolves around the stress and excitement of Being chased by some all powerful government group. But the real underlying message is a philosophical one. Do you have to be flesh and blood to be human, to be a real person.
Have you seen inside yourself? Do you know what you’re made of inside? Are you flesh and blood or plastic and oil? Does it really matter?
January 11, 2014
I HATE THIS BOOK. But because it has the worse ending ever!!! I didn't get to find anything out about Ryan or Robert!!!! What kind of ending is that?!?! Aside from that, I thought it was a good book and it left me hanging 'till the last few pages. I would not reccommend this book because it will leave you infuriated when you reach the last page. Damn you Kevin Brooks!!!!!
July 6, 2011
This was a big disappointment. From the blurb, the story sounded absolutely amazing - the potential was definitely there. However, it unfortunately didn't work at all. Although it was a very easy read, the story itself was weak, the writing repetitive and the main character was just not likeable. I did enjoy reading about Eddi and Robert's relationship and how it evolved, but that was about it. I was so disappointed that we didn't really find anything out about Robert or his body, considering that was the main point of the book! The story could have been fantastic, but this wasn't.
July 26, 2021
130212: so here i am walking down shelves in the town library, and find myself accidentally moving into ya books- it is a small library- and i look at these titles and come across one in big letters: ‘being�. intrigued, i check it out, decide it is short even if 'being' here is not that of continental philosophers i have read- so take it out...
and it is a great surprise, this is the 'being' of philosophers! a question that might seem more pressing as a youth, more unanswerable as an adult, comes up: what is it to be a 'being'? could see it as a movie. and a great ending that makes the question reverberate through all you have just read. maybe i rate it higher because it is ya. no matter. this is really good!
i wonder, paranoid: am i reading into it too much? how much is overreaching? then i read the author teaches psyc and philosophy, and decide his particular open-ended story is on purpose. if you are the central ‘i� character who is something more than human, and you are embedded, you leave a trail, you are too apparent. whereas if you are the pursuer you may physically exist but you are invisible, you do not exist...
to be human is in your acts, not in the physical, not in self-knowledge even, nothing but the simple act of 'being'... really enjoyed ...
and it is a great surprise, this is the 'being' of philosophers! a question that might seem more pressing as a youth, more unanswerable as an adult, comes up: what is it to be a 'being'? could see it as a movie. and a great ending that makes the question reverberate through all you have just read. maybe i rate it higher because it is ya. no matter. this is really good!
i wonder, paranoid: am i reading into it too much? how much is overreaching? then i read the author teaches psyc and philosophy, and decide his particular open-ended story is on purpose. if you are the central ‘i� character who is something more than human, and you are embedded, you leave a trail, you are too apparent. whereas if you are the pursuer you may physically exist but you are invisible, you do not exist...
to be human is in your acts, not in the physical, not in self-knowledge even, nothing but the simple act of 'being'... really enjoyed ...
July 10, 2017
Summary of the story:
Robert Smith once believed that he was a normal sixteen-year-old boy . . . and human. However, one single event changes his life forever. Robert arrives at the hospital to undergo a routine endoscopy to confirm suspicions of possible stomach ulcers. Of course, the teen is nervous, anxious, and uncertain about what is about to happen. After being injected with an anesthetic, the doctors place the telescopic tube down Robert's throat and come across a shocking discovery.... what lies within Robert is definitely not normal. Robert begins to hear snippets of conversation and the fact that what is inside of him is completely unnatural. He possesses silvery filaments and strange colored liquids that none of the medical staff have ever seen before. Robert can't move or speak as he is poked, prodded, and sliced into. He must escape at all costs and retrieve his files and the video that shows what was found within him. Somehow Robert forces himself to wake up right after his stomach is ripped open and explored by the medical staff. Robert only has one prominent thought: He must escape.
After running from the hospital with a stolen pistol, clothing, his medical files, his endoscopy video, and a hostage (who happens to be the anesthesiologist), Robert heads for the train station. He has no idea where he's going from there, what he is, or how he will escape those who will soon be coming after him. He abandons the hostage, hops on a train, and formulates a plan. He will have to reach Eddi, a girl he once met long ago while he was staying at one of many homes for orphans. Eddi is a dangerous thief that makes a living creating fake IDs. Robert desperately needs a new identity and Eddi is his only hope. Robert can't go home, the people who want him back have framed him for murder, and thus his old life is completely destroyed.
Eddi has seen the papers and knows that Robert is wanted for murder and helps him nonetheless. With a new look, credit cards, and identity, Robert wants to prove his innocence to her. They soon arrive back at the hospital searching for the hostage/anesthesiologist that helped Robert get away, however, they soon discover that he never made it back and was killed in a car accident. Robert can't believe this and knows that his former hostage was murdered by those who want him back. Then one of the guards recognizes Robert, placing him on the run yet again. After the guard is killed and Eddi and Robert escape, they must somehow determine what to do to outrun those who will stop at nothing to discover what Robert is and retrieve him as soon as possible. Eddi and Robert must trust one another if they both want to survive.
My thoughts:
When I heard about this book, I absolutely knew that I had to read it. The story seemed extremely interesting and the mystery of what Robert was intrigued me. The novel automatically delved into Robert's situation, beginning immediately with his arrival at the hospital and his endoscopy. Brooks used some powerful descriptions to convey all that Robert was feeling as he lied unconscious on the medical table. I felt like I really was Robert and definitely felt a little queasy while reading what was going on. I'm not sure if anyone else who read this book felt this way or if I just have a very overactive imagination, but I definitely connected with Robert and experienced his fear, pain, and frustration.
This connection with the character was strong throughout the first half of the novel. I rooted for Robert and hoped that he would escape those pursuing him. I was also super excited to find out what Robert was. With what was found inside him, he could have been any number of things: an alien, cyborg, android, some government experiment, etc. The interesting part was that Robert didn't even know himself. He is an orphan, unaware of who his biological parents are, or how to find/contact them. He also can't distinctly remember any of his early childhood memories, they all mix together and become a jumbled blur, therefore what he is could be the result of something that was done to him. All of these events felt like they were building up to some grand finale, but the final half involved Eddi and Robert living a life that almost felt like a fantasy that couldn't last. As a result, I felt a disconnect and a bit let down by the last half of the story.
--- Spoiler Alert! ---
With all the build-up and uncertainty about what Robert could be, I was extremely disappointed that you NEVER get to find out what Robert is! You get brief descriptions of what is inside him, find out that he heals quickly, and that he never ever has been seriously sick in his life. These aren't definitive clues that can lead to a concrete conclusion of what Robert is. Those who are after him also definitely want to find out what Robert is and why he exists. Robert also fears what he might be, but by the end of the book he doesn't seem to care at all. He's been through hell but then suddenly is content with not knowing what he is or why he exists.
--- Major Spoiler Alert! ---
With this kind of story, there is usually a formula. The character finds out that he's different and the government or some shady organization discovers that this person is unique, and they want to capture them. Eventually, at some point in the book, the character is captured by these individuals, experimented on, they find out what the character is, the character escapes, etc. There may even be a love interest involved and they may ride happily off into the sunset at the end or face a terrible tragedy that they have to overcome, or perhaps the final tragedy may lead into a second book. Brooks threw out all of what would be expected. The entire book is Robert running and falling in love with Eddi. They finally reach a country where they live happily for a very short time and then the organization looking of Robert finds them. Their happy little world shatters completely. Eddi is killed, Robert fights those who have come after him, and leaves one of the bad guys close to death. This particular bad guy is the one that really wants to know what Robert is, and Robert punishes him by stating that they will never find Robert again and they must live never knowing.
While reading this book I felt it was five star material, but the story began to disappoint me, especially at the end. Eddi and Robert were such a cute couple and even though you knew they probably wouldn't have a happy ending, I didn't expect Eddi to be killed off (especially since the author hinted that she was pregnant with Robert's child). Due to the last half of the book I finally concluded to give the book a total of three stars. I do have to give the author props though, for detouring from the set norm. He didn't follow the expected formula for this kind of story, but his deviation choices didn't exactly make me happy. I was super excited to find out what Robert was. Heck, the summary on the inside jacket seemed to hint at the fact that the story was Robert's journey to discovering who and what he was.
I also would like to quickly discuss the fact that Brooks explored what it meant to be human. At the end Robert doesn't care what he is, but he had a deep internal conflict at the beginning of his story. He was conflicted with the fact that he may or may not be human. He knew that he felt emotion, experienced everything that a normal human did, including pain, suffering, and sadness. The only thing that he couldn't do was shed a single tear. He loved Eddi more than anything and her death was terrible. He felt loss and then he felt a deep resolve to end it all. He would not allow those after him to destroy his life any longer. Overall, I would read this book if you enjoy a good twisting tale and don't fear the fact that it deviates from the norm.
You can see reviews like this one and more at
Robert Smith once believed that he was a normal sixteen-year-old boy . . . and human. However, one single event changes his life forever. Robert arrives at the hospital to undergo a routine endoscopy to confirm suspicions of possible stomach ulcers. Of course, the teen is nervous, anxious, and uncertain about what is about to happen. After being injected with an anesthetic, the doctors place the telescopic tube down Robert's throat and come across a shocking discovery.... what lies within Robert is definitely not normal. Robert begins to hear snippets of conversation and the fact that what is inside of him is completely unnatural. He possesses silvery filaments and strange colored liquids that none of the medical staff have ever seen before. Robert can't move or speak as he is poked, prodded, and sliced into. He must escape at all costs and retrieve his files and the video that shows what was found within him. Somehow Robert forces himself to wake up right after his stomach is ripped open and explored by the medical staff. Robert only has one prominent thought: He must escape.
After running from the hospital with a stolen pistol, clothing, his medical files, his endoscopy video, and a hostage (who happens to be the anesthesiologist), Robert heads for the train station. He has no idea where he's going from there, what he is, or how he will escape those who will soon be coming after him. He abandons the hostage, hops on a train, and formulates a plan. He will have to reach Eddi, a girl he once met long ago while he was staying at one of many homes for orphans. Eddi is a dangerous thief that makes a living creating fake IDs. Robert desperately needs a new identity and Eddi is his only hope. Robert can't go home, the people who want him back have framed him for murder, and thus his old life is completely destroyed.
Eddi has seen the papers and knows that Robert is wanted for murder and helps him nonetheless. With a new look, credit cards, and identity, Robert wants to prove his innocence to her. They soon arrive back at the hospital searching for the hostage/anesthesiologist that helped Robert get away, however, they soon discover that he never made it back and was killed in a car accident. Robert can't believe this and knows that his former hostage was murdered by those who want him back. Then one of the guards recognizes Robert, placing him on the run yet again. After the guard is killed and Eddi and Robert escape, they must somehow determine what to do to outrun those who will stop at nothing to discover what Robert is and retrieve him as soon as possible. Eddi and Robert must trust one another if they both want to survive.
My thoughts:
When I heard about this book, I absolutely knew that I had to read it. The story seemed extremely interesting and the mystery of what Robert was intrigued me. The novel automatically delved into Robert's situation, beginning immediately with his arrival at the hospital and his endoscopy. Brooks used some powerful descriptions to convey all that Robert was feeling as he lied unconscious on the medical table. I felt like I really was Robert and definitely felt a little queasy while reading what was going on. I'm not sure if anyone else who read this book felt this way or if I just have a very overactive imagination, but I definitely connected with Robert and experienced his fear, pain, and frustration.
This connection with the character was strong throughout the first half of the novel. I rooted for Robert and hoped that he would escape those pursuing him. I was also super excited to find out what Robert was. With what was found inside him, he could have been any number of things: an alien, cyborg, android, some government experiment, etc. The interesting part was that Robert didn't even know himself. He is an orphan, unaware of who his biological parents are, or how to find/contact them. He also can't distinctly remember any of his early childhood memories, they all mix together and become a jumbled blur, therefore what he is could be the result of something that was done to him. All of these events felt like they were building up to some grand finale, but the final half involved Eddi and Robert living a life that almost felt like a fantasy that couldn't last. As a result, I felt a disconnect and a bit let down by the last half of the story.
--- Spoiler Alert! ---
With all the build-up and uncertainty about what Robert could be, I was extremely disappointed that you NEVER get to find out what Robert is! You get brief descriptions of what is inside him, find out that he heals quickly, and that he never ever has been seriously sick in his life. These aren't definitive clues that can lead to a concrete conclusion of what Robert is. Those who are after him also definitely want to find out what Robert is and why he exists. Robert also fears what he might be, but by the end of the book he doesn't seem to care at all. He's been through hell but then suddenly is content with not knowing what he is or why he exists.
--- Major Spoiler Alert! ---
With this kind of story, there is usually a formula. The character finds out that he's different and the government or some shady organization discovers that this person is unique, and they want to capture them. Eventually, at some point in the book, the character is captured by these individuals, experimented on, they find out what the character is, the character escapes, etc. There may even be a love interest involved and they may ride happily off into the sunset at the end or face a terrible tragedy that they have to overcome, or perhaps the final tragedy may lead into a second book. Brooks threw out all of what would be expected. The entire book is Robert running and falling in love with Eddi. They finally reach a country where they live happily for a very short time and then the organization looking of Robert finds them. Their happy little world shatters completely. Eddi is killed, Robert fights those who have come after him, and leaves one of the bad guys close to death. This particular bad guy is the one that really wants to know what Robert is, and Robert punishes him by stating that they will never find Robert again and they must live never knowing.
While reading this book I felt it was five star material, but the story began to disappoint me, especially at the end. Eddi and Robert were such a cute couple and even though you knew they probably wouldn't have a happy ending, I didn't expect Eddi to be killed off (especially since the author hinted that she was pregnant with Robert's child). Due to the last half of the book I finally concluded to give the book a total of three stars. I do have to give the author props though, for detouring from the set norm. He didn't follow the expected formula for this kind of story, but his deviation choices didn't exactly make me happy. I was super excited to find out what Robert was. Heck, the summary on the inside jacket seemed to hint at the fact that the story was Robert's journey to discovering who and what he was.
I also would like to quickly discuss the fact that Brooks explored what it meant to be human. At the end Robert doesn't care what he is, but he had a deep internal conflict at the beginning of his story. He was conflicted with the fact that he may or may not be human. He knew that he felt emotion, experienced everything that a normal human did, including pain, suffering, and sadness. The only thing that he couldn't do was shed a single tear. He loved Eddi more than anything and her death was terrible. He felt loss and then he felt a deep resolve to end it all. He would not allow those after him to destroy his life any longer. Overall, I would read this book if you enjoy a good twisting tale and don't fear the fact that it deviates from the norm.
You can see reviews like this one and more at
May 15, 2008
This book was one of those types of books that keep you on the edge of your seat. Imagine thinking you're normal, and like everyone else, but coming to find out, you are FAR from normal. Or at least not a normal HUMAN being. Robert had to find out the hard way that he was not normal at all when he went in to have an endoscopy done on his stomach. Sounds simple, but in the midst of his endoscopy, Robert wakes up only to hear the "doctors" talking about them. "what is he?" "What the hell are those?" he hears the "doctors" saying. Robert tries to move every muscle in his body to try and get them to stop what they are doing. They are supposed to be sticking a scope with a camera at the end in his stomach, but they've cut me open. When Robert finally comes to, he looks at his stomach and sees he's still cut open, but that doesn't matter, he's furious at what the "doctors" have done to him. But when he looks at the "doctors", he comes to realize that these people aren't doctors at all. Doctors don't wear guns on their sides. At this point, Robert would do any and everything to get out of this place, even if it means him turning into a criminal. After his great escape of leaving the hospital, Robert is desperate for help, so he turns to the only person he knows, someone that has a "track record" theirselves, and someone he has only met once in his life.
August 4, 2011
I haven't read a new book in the last 30 days that I feel strongly enough about to want to review and recommend. So I am going back in time to the work of Kevin Brooks (no relation) out of England and suggest you take a look at BEING. I might have talked about his books before, but if I have, forgive me for suggesting BEING. This is still one of the best young adult science fiction books ever written. Right up there with Nancy Farmer's HOUSE OF THE SCORPION. Here's the set-up. What if you were to go in for a routine physical, end up on the operating table and overhear conversations that suggested there was something very different about what was inside you, different enough that you would soon be questioning whether or not you were human or alien. This is what confronts Robert Smith, who bolts for safety and ends up being hunted by a very shady government agency. I was particularly taken with the way Brooks examined the issues of what determines if we are human and how different can we be if we think we are human.
January 18, 2021
this book was... very poorly done, in my opinion. I am going to do a cawpile rating because this book was that disappointing for me. poorly written female character, borderline racism, a relationship between a 16 y/o and a 20 y/o.... pretty problematic
Characters: 4/10
Atmosphere: 0/10
Writing Style: 1/10
Plot: 4/10
Intrigue: 4/10
Logic: 4/10
Enjoyment: 3/10
Total rating: 2/10 or 1/5 stars
Characters: 4/10
Atmosphere: 0/10
Writing Style: 1/10
Plot: 4/10
Intrigue: 4/10
Logic: 4/10
Enjoyment: 3/10
Total rating: 2/10 or 1/5 stars
October 24, 2022
The book starts out okay. 'Boy finds out he is not human and runs from a shady organisation'. The first part has a nice pace and the main character makes sensible choices. Then the book derails in the second act and the ending is very rough and unsatisfying. The story just ends and explains nothing. How can you end your book like that?
March 15, 2016
I was in a bookstore and some of the books were on sale. And as I pick this book, I read the blurb and it caught my interest. Well, on the blurb it sounds interesting. So I decided to buy this book needless to say that I took the advantage of it being on sale.
As I read on, it seemed worthy but when I was on the latter chapters, I was thinking if when will the true identity/being/kind of Robert be revealed. And man, it didn't! I was so disappointed and to be honest, it's as if I wasted a week in reading (yeah it's week because I'm snail-like.) Lol
The characters were good but not remarkable. -___-
If you asked me what did I learn from it? Oh well, I am going to check first some reviews (without spoilers) before deciding to read a certain book. Thanks to this book though, I know now how not to be deceived by blurb. HAHA
Yeah, it's 2 stars for the love of God. Meh.
As I read on, it seemed worthy but when I was on the latter chapters, I was thinking if when will the true identity/being/kind of Robert be revealed. And man, it didn't! I was so disappointed and to be honest, it's as if I wasted a week in reading (yeah it's week because I'm snail-like.) Lol
The characters were good but not remarkable. -___-
If you asked me what did I learn from it? Oh well, I am going to check first some reviews (without spoilers) before deciding to read a certain book. Thanks to this book though, I know now how not to be deceived by blurb. HAHA
Yeah, it's 2 stars for the love of God. Meh.
May 15, 2013
1.5 stars not because it's a BAD book, but because it's ultimately unsatisfying because of the misleading blurb and, well, a bunch of other reasons.
I was pretty into it when I started--it's fast-paced, very much in the now, and you've got the same questions as Robert--what am I? What's going on?--and the action-packed excitement of his escape and harrowing chase and chance encounters when he has to decide to trust people or not range from decent to great. Some of the descriptions in the beginning are beautiful and some are quite poetic, and in general the writing is solid and reads quickly, though it lost some steam in the last third. All in all, it was interesting and relatively enjoyable--
But.
This is book is NOT a thriller. It actually doesn't even really have a plot. This is very much a character-based book but the problem lies in the fact that Robert doesn't have much character. He's sort of Boy Everyteen, confused and frightened and angry about what's happened to him, but he doesn't have any attachments or family or a life before the operation that begins the book. In fact, notes on him that he reads one point call him cold and distant, which is kind of how he comes across in the first-person narration. But he's also an orphan who got moved around a lot from home to home so he has no friends and no roots and no family and no history and doesn't really talk about or mention anything about his past because it was so boring and for half the book I didn't even know how old he was (he's sixteen, you find out eventually).
All right, perhaps it's unfair to call this a character-driven book then. The fact that Robert has no past and IS Boy Everyteen could still work to the book's advantage since it's titled Being, and the book's thematic focus is on What It Is To Be [Human], and not knowing what might really be inside you, but what matters is what you feel and etc.
But here's the thing. You know how the entire setup of the book is that this endoscopy reveals that there's something shocking inside Robert that sets all sorts of powerful people after him, and Robert questioning what he is (and no bones about it--there's an endoscopy video as well as something Robert himself does that make it clear there IS something going on inside him) and this great big focus on the mystery of what's going on with him, a mystery that is pushed throughout the entire book?
Imagine how INCREDIBLY UNSATISFIED YOU WILL BE WHEN
It also doesn't help that
Mind you, I understand where the book is coming from--thematically it makes sense since it's about being yourself, whatever that may be, and living in the moment, and the book ends where it does because it's closing a major chapter of Robert's life, and if we were to have the answers to everything it would defeat the entire purpose of the book. Maybe if the blurb hadn't pitched it to me as a mystery thriller, I wouldn't have been so disappointed--well, maybe if the BOOK hadn't kept plastering the question WHAT AM I across almost literally every page and cram-jamming the beginning of the book with hooky action and mystery, I wouldn't have been so disappointed and unsatisfied. Maybe if Robert had had more depth and character, I would have rated this book higher, but he didn't come across very well as a real three-dimensional person, which is ironic considering the story.
So, ultimately, the book made me uncomfortable for multiple reasons, which I think it was trying to do and is a good thing in some ways, being thought-provoking. But it wasn't done quite in the right way. Honestly, this book would have been much better as a short-story because its shortcomings would have been much less noticeable and possibly have even been turned into strengths--and the ending could have worked because there's be less buildup toward that immense unsatisfaction.
Hence the 1.5 stars--it wasn't bad, but I felt very cheated in the end.
I was pretty into it when I started--it's fast-paced, very much in the now, and you've got the same questions as Robert--what am I? What's going on?--and the action-packed excitement of his escape and harrowing chase and chance encounters when he has to decide to trust people or not range from decent to great. Some of the descriptions in the beginning are beautiful and some are quite poetic, and in general the writing is solid and reads quickly, though it lost some steam in the last third. All in all, it was interesting and relatively enjoyable--
But.
This is book is NOT a thriller. It actually doesn't even really have a plot. This is very much a character-based book but the problem lies in the fact that Robert doesn't have much character. He's sort of Boy Everyteen, confused and frightened and angry about what's happened to him, but he doesn't have any attachments or family or a life before the operation that begins the book. In fact, notes on him that he reads one point call him cold and distant, which is kind of how he comes across in the first-person narration. But he's also an orphan who got moved around a lot from home to home so he has no friends and no roots and no family and no history and doesn't really talk about or mention anything about his past because it was so boring and for half the book I didn't even know how old he was (he's sixteen, you find out eventually).
All right, perhaps it's unfair to call this a character-driven book then. The fact that Robert has no past and IS Boy Everyteen could still work to the book's advantage since it's titled Being, and the book's thematic focus is on What It Is To Be [Human], and not knowing what might really be inside you, but what matters is what you feel and etc.
But here's the thing. You know how the entire setup of the book is that this endoscopy reveals that there's something shocking inside Robert that sets all sorts of powerful people after him, and Robert questioning what he is (and no bones about it--there's an endoscopy video as well as something Robert himself does that make it clear there IS something going on inside him) and this great big focus on the mystery of what's going on with him, a mystery that is pushed throughout the entire book?
Imagine how INCREDIBLY UNSATISFIED YOU WILL BE WHEN
It also doesn't help that
Mind you, I understand where the book is coming from--thematically it makes sense since it's about being yourself, whatever that may be, and living in the moment, and the book ends where it does because it's closing a major chapter of Robert's life, and if we were to have the answers to everything it would defeat the entire purpose of the book. Maybe if the blurb hadn't pitched it to me as a mystery thriller, I wouldn't have been so disappointed--well, maybe if the BOOK hadn't kept plastering the question WHAT AM I across almost literally every page and cram-jamming the beginning of the book with hooky action and mystery, I wouldn't have been so disappointed and unsatisfied. Maybe if Robert had had more depth and character, I would have rated this book higher, but he didn't come across very well as a real three-dimensional person, which is ironic considering the story.
So, ultimately, the book made me uncomfortable for multiple reasons, which I think it was trying to do and is a good thing in some ways, being thought-provoking. But it wasn't done quite in the right way. Honestly, this book would have been much better as a short-story because its shortcomings would have been much less noticeable and possibly have even been turned into strengths--and the ending could have worked because there's be less buildup toward that immense unsatisfaction.
Hence the 1.5 stars--it wasn't bad, but I felt very cheated in the end.
August 5, 2011
note: may contain spiolers
At first it was pretty boring, and you could easily forget you were reading it once you've placed it down. But then, if you still remembered, and continued to read it, it starts to pick up its pace and the story starts moving.
But, it's one of those stories riddled with holes.
Nothing's really explained clearly. You get the gist of it.
A guy called Robert Smith goes to get an endoscopy, this basic operation that doctors have done many times before and should have been a normal operation. Nothing should have happened.
But instead, you find that there's this weird thing in his stomach, and the docs find out, they bring in some men in suits, and this all just starts off a chain of events.
Magically though, Robert always manages to escape. He somehow knows what to do. It's like instinct for him.
And then he goes off and basically, pretty much most of the book is taken up with him wondering,
Who am I? What am I? What should I do? And who can I trust?
Then he meets Eddi Ray, and the questions become mainly emphasised on:
Truth or Lies? Can I trust her? This is killing me. I don't know what to feel.
Yeah, I get it. Honestly, though, it's repeated several times. He has numerous times of just endless questioning and loops, and not really any answering.
However, as the book drew to an end, I guess you could tell that he was "growing up". To be honest, it was actually said. I quote:
....I stared at myself, feeling strangely embarrassed.
I looked like a man.
But his change didn't feel believable. It didn't really feel like a huge change, besides the fact that he stopped wondering what he was, and mainly just enjoying himself with Eddi but still being confused and not telling her everything.
I get that Brooks was trying to a message across to us. I think he was trying to say that, "It doesn't matter what you're made of. What matters is what you do, how you react, etc." But, I think he could've pulled it off better. Made the characters more believable and less like cut-outs.
Ryan seemed dead boring. He didn't elicit any fear, and even if he did, it was instantly demolished at the end of the book.
Eddi was interesting at first, but then she didn't hold much realism to her. Likewise with Robert. Both these people seemed to handle things so well. Everything seemed a little too smooth.
The highlight of this book was the action. The characters might not have seemed real, but at least they weren't downright idiots. I liked Kamal.
Anyways, I was disappointed that I didn't find out that much about Robert. Like the background, what was inside him, etc.
As I repeat, it wasn't really explained properly, and I don't think it was ever going to be explained anyway. I think the main idea for this story was the message that wanted to be conveyed across to the audience, and having Robert being chased by a secret agency (or maybe it's the government), because he might not be human, just helped it flow smoother.
At first it was pretty boring, and you could easily forget you were reading it once you've placed it down. But then, if you still remembered, and continued to read it, it starts to pick up its pace and the story starts moving.
But, it's one of those stories riddled with holes.
Nothing's really explained clearly. You get the gist of it.
A guy called Robert Smith goes to get an endoscopy, this basic operation that doctors have done many times before and should have been a normal operation. Nothing should have happened.
But instead, you find that there's this weird thing in his stomach, and the docs find out, they bring in some men in suits, and this all just starts off a chain of events.
Magically though, Robert always manages to escape. He somehow knows what to do. It's like instinct for him.
And then he goes off and basically, pretty much most of the book is taken up with him wondering,
Who am I? What am I? What should I do? And who can I trust?
Then he meets Eddi Ray, and the questions become mainly emphasised on:
Truth or Lies? Can I trust her? This is killing me. I don't know what to feel.
Yeah, I get it. Honestly, though, it's repeated several times. He has numerous times of just endless questioning and loops, and not really any answering.
However, as the book drew to an end, I guess you could tell that he was "growing up". To be honest, it was actually said. I quote:
....I stared at myself, feeling strangely embarrassed.
I looked like a man.
But his change didn't feel believable. It didn't really feel like a huge change, besides the fact that he stopped wondering what he was, and mainly just enjoying himself with Eddi but still being confused and not telling her everything.
I get that Brooks was trying to a message across to us. I think he was trying to say that, "It doesn't matter what you're made of. What matters is what you do, how you react, etc." But, I think he could've pulled it off better. Made the characters more believable and less like cut-outs.
Ryan seemed dead boring. He didn't elicit any fear, and even if he did, it was instantly demolished at the end of the book.
Eddi was interesting at first, but then she didn't hold much realism to her. Likewise with Robert. Both these people seemed to handle things so well. Everything seemed a little too smooth.
The highlight of this book was the action. The characters might not have seemed real, but at least they weren't downright idiots. I liked Kamal.
Anyways, I was disappointed that I didn't find out that much about Robert. Like the background, what was inside him, etc.
As I repeat, it wasn't really explained properly, and I don't think it was ever going to be explained anyway. I think the main idea for this story was the message that wanted to be conveyed across to the audience, and having Robert being chased by a secret agency (or maybe it's the government), because he might not be human, just helped it flow smoother.
January 7, 2008
Robert Smith was waiting for the nurse to call him into the doctor's office to prepare him for his scheduled endoscopy, not realizing it would be the last normal day in his life. Once called into the office, Robert was put under anesthetic and doctors went about putting a tube down his throat in order to find out what was causing his stomach discomfort. Unexpectedly, Robert woke up before he was supposed to and realized he was in a different room with many people he didn't recognize. He heard phrases like, "What is that?" and "Are those wires?" Robert felt every cut made into his body for the exploratory surgery these strange people in black suits were performing on him.
After Robert forced himself off the table, he managed to get a weapon out of the hand of one of the black suits. At gun point, Robert demanded the anesthetist knock out his attackers and then kidnapped him in order to use his car to get away. Next, he set about making himself invisible. He knew he couldn't go to his house where his foster parents lived or any place he'd normally visit. The first night he checked into a hotel for some rest to give himself some time to decide what to do the next day. He was overwhelmed with thoughts about what was inside him. He looked over the evidence he took from the doctor's office which included a videotape of the endoscopy. On the tape he saw things that should have been impossible.
After a sleepless night, Robert put the first step of his plan in motion. To become a different person, change identities, disappear from the face of the Earth. He went to see a girl named Eddi who was in the business of fake ids, birth certificates, and other needed credentials to get by in life. What he found when he got to her place was suspicion and uncertainty. Life quickly spiraled out of control for both of them shortly after their paths crossed. Escape to Trejeda on the Canary Islands seemed like the best plan. For a time, life fell into the routine of sleeping late, eating fantastic food, and work. Eddi and Robert knew they couldn't hide forever, but they were never prepared for how everything would end.
BEING is an interesting story of an orphan trying to learn his identity. It is filled with intrigue and suspense, however; there are a few loose ends that might leave the reader unsatisfied.
After Robert forced himself off the table, he managed to get a weapon out of the hand of one of the black suits. At gun point, Robert demanded the anesthetist knock out his attackers and then kidnapped him in order to use his car to get away. Next, he set about making himself invisible. He knew he couldn't go to his house where his foster parents lived or any place he'd normally visit. The first night he checked into a hotel for some rest to give himself some time to decide what to do the next day. He was overwhelmed with thoughts about what was inside him. He looked over the evidence he took from the doctor's office which included a videotape of the endoscopy. On the tape he saw things that should have been impossible.
After a sleepless night, Robert put the first step of his plan in motion. To become a different person, change identities, disappear from the face of the Earth. He went to see a girl named Eddi who was in the business of fake ids, birth certificates, and other needed credentials to get by in life. What he found when he got to her place was suspicion and uncertainty. Life quickly spiraled out of control for both of them shortly after their paths crossed. Escape to Trejeda on the Canary Islands seemed like the best plan. For a time, life fell into the routine of sleeping late, eating fantastic food, and work. Eddi and Robert knew they couldn't hide forever, but they were never prepared for how everything would end.
BEING is an interesting story of an orphan trying to learn his identity. It is filled with intrigue and suspense, however; there are a few loose ends that might leave the reader unsatisfied.
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Karin Perry for TeensReadToo.com
Robert Smith was waiting for the nurse to call him into the doctor's office to prepare him for his scheduled endoscopy, not realizing it would be the last normal day in his life. Once called into the office, Robert was put under anesthetic and doctors went about putting a tube down his throat in order to find out what was causing his stomach discomfort. Unexpectedly, Robert woke up before he was supposed to and realized he was in a different room with many people he didn't recognize. He heard phrases like, "What is that?" and "Are those wires?" Robert felt every cut made into his body for the exploratory surgery these strange people in black suits were performing on him.
After Robert forced himself off the table, he managed to get a weapon out of the hand of one of the black suits. At gun point, Robert demanded the anesthetist knock out his attackers and then kidnapped him in order to use his car to get away. Next, he set about making himself invisible. He knew he couldn't go to his house where his foster parents lived or any place he'd normally visit. The first night he checked into a hotel for some rest to give himself some time to decide what to do the next day. He was overwhelmed with thoughts about what was inside him. He looked over the evidence he took from the doctor's office, which included a videotape of the endoscopy. On the tape he saw things that should have been impossible.
After a sleepless night, Robert put the first step of his plan in motion. To become a different person, change identities, disappear from the face of the Earth. He went to see a girl named Eddi who was in the business of fake IDs, birth certificates, and other needed credentials to get by in life. What he found when he got to her place was suspicion and uncertainty. Life quickly spiraled out of control for both of them shortly after their paths crossed. Escape to Trejeda on the Canary Islands seemed like the best plan. For a time, life fell into the routine of sleeping late, eating fantastic food, and work. Eddi and Robert knew they couldn't hide forever, but they were never prepared for how everything would end.
BEING is an interesting story of an orphan trying to learn his identity. It is filled with intrigue and suspense; however; there are a few loose ends that might leave the reader unsatisfied.
Robert Smith was waiting for the nurse to call him into the doctor's office to prepare him for his scheduled endoscopy, not realizing it would be the last normal day in his life. Once called into the office, Robert was put under anesthetic and doctors went about putting a tube down his throat in order to find out what was causing his stomach discomfort. Unexpectedly, Robert woke up before he was supposed to and realized he was in a different room with many people he didn't recognize. He heard phrases like, "What is that?" and "Are those wires?" Robert felt every cut made into his body for the exploratory surgery these strange people in black suits were performing on him.
After Robert forced himself off the table, he managed to get a weapon out of the hand of one of the black suits. At gun point, Robert demanded the anesthetist knock out his attackers and then kidnapped him in order to use his car to get away. Next, he set about making himself invisible. He knew he couldn't go to his house where his foster parents lived or any place he'd normally visit. The first night he checked into a hotel for some rest to give himself some time to decide what to do the next day. He was overwhelmed with thoughts about what was inside him. He looked over the evidence he took from the doctor's office, which included a videotape of the endoscopy. On the tape he saw things that should have been impossible.
After a sleepless night, Robert put the first step of his plan in motion. To become a different person, change identities, disappear from the face of the Earth. He went to see a girl named Eddi who was in the business of fake IDs, birth certificates, and other needed credentials to get by in life. What he found when he got to her place was suspicion and uncertainty. Life quickly spiraled out of control for both of them shortly after their paths crossed. Escape to Trejeda on the Canary Islands seemed like the best plan. For a time, life fell into the routine of sleeping late, eating fantastic food, and work. Eddi and Robert knew they couldn't hide forever, but they were never prepared for how everything would end.
BEING is an interesting story of an orphan trying to learn his identity. It is filled with intrigue and suspense; however; there are a few loose ends that might leave the reader unsatisfied.
June 30, 2015
Video reseña:
January 9, 2022
i read this ENTIRE BOOK and I never got to find out what he was...not happy 😩😩 and of course the thing you've been waiting for for the entire book happens in the last 15 pages and you never get to hear the aftermath and ALSO THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE GETS SHOT AND HE JUST HOPS ON HER MOTORBIKE AND LEAVES AFTER KILLING EVERYONE ELSE????
"we've analysed every trace of forensic evidence we could find....but we still don't know what you are." what a stupid ending saying that nobody knows, if nobody knows then why do they still want him so badly huh??? dumb
apart from that, it was a good plot and good storyline 🤌🏻
update: still annoyed
"we've analysed every trace of forensic evidence we could find....but we still don't know what you are." what a stupid ending saying that nobody knows, if nobody knows then why do they still want him so badly huh??? dumb
apart from that, it was a good plot and good storyline 🤌🏻
update: still annoyed
January 19, 2022
I liked the book a lot, but the ending kind of made me sad. I wished things had turned out differently and all his hard work had paid off. But the book overall was really thrilling and I never knew what was gonna happen next.
July 5, 2018
3.5! This was a re-read and I loved it as much as I did when I read it for the first time 10 years ago! I loved the writing, the fast pace and most of all I loved Robert! Another great read!
December 5, 2008
Being by Kevin Brooks
In the book Being by Kevin Brooks there are a lot of freaky things that happen. These aren’t your everyday freaky things like your sister wanting to fly to space to meet a bunch of aliens or your brother wanting a piece of candy so he can lick it and give it to someone else or anything like that. It is freaky things like going into a surgery and your body being awake inside when it is suppose to be unconscious and being able to feel everything going on inside of you but showing no emotion because all you can do is think, no movement in your hands, fingers, or anything because you cant. No one knows you are awake inside, except for yourself. This weird and twisted book has a lot of ups and downs in it and that is why I enjoyed it.
This book has one main character, which is Robert Smith. He is sixteen years old. He has spent most of his childhood in foster homes, so he really doesn’t remember that much about his early childhood. He doesn’t remember anything from his childhood except that he never has gotten sick before.
This book takes place in Essex, England. One day Robert went in and sat down in the hospital waiting room. He waited patiently for his name to be called. His doctor visit didn’t turn out to be what he expected. He was suppose to go in and have an endoscopy done on his stomach, Conscious but still anaesthetised. An endoscopy is a simple procedure where the doctors stick a tube down the throat and examine the stomach. When they noticed something abnormal they decided they needed to cut him open to get a better look at what they thought was an ulcer, until the anesthesia stopped working and Robert wakes up. There is security at the door and doctors are running all over the place trying to figure out what they have gotten themselves in to. When Robert becomes alarmed at what’s going on he starts to panic, then he finds a way for one of the doctors to get him out of the hospital. “What am I?� is the question that Robert kept asking himself. He thought about it as they then escaped from town. After steeling another doctors car and killing the people that were left in the operating room, they go to a train station in London. Robert demands the doctor stay there while he goes to use the pay phone. This book has so much intensity in it and so much excitement but will Robert figure out what he is and will he get caught for murder and stealing? Read the book and find out!
The theme of this book, I would say is, “All people should get treated equally no matter what.� This is saying a lot about this book. If the doctors were not so dramatic and if they would of just took it easy, then most likely Robert would not of got freaked out and killed a bunch of people and ran away.
At first I really didn’t like this book because it was really boring. I started liking it after Robert killed all the nurses and security people at the hospital right before he escaped. This book is exciting and I recommend it to anyone who likes weird and freaky books. If you like a book with a lot of action in it then this is the book for you. This book also has cursing in it, so if you don’t read books like that then you will not need to read this.
Page Count: 336
Genre: Super-Natural Crime Thriller
In the book Being by Kevin Brooks there are a lot of freaky things that happen. These aren’t your everyday freaky things like your sister wanting to fly to space to meet a bunch of aliens or your brother wanting a piece of candy so he can lick it and give it to someone else or anything like that. It is freaky things like going into a surgery and your body being awake inside when it is suppose to be unconscious and being able to feel everything going on inside of you but showing no emotion because all you can do is think, no movement in your hands, fingers, or anything because you cant. No one knows you are awake inside, except for yourself. This weird and twisted book has a lot of ups and downs in it and that is why I enjoyed it.
This book has one main character, which is Robert Smith. He is sixteen years old. He has spent most of his childhood in foster homes, so he really doesn’t remember that much about his early childhood. He doesn’t remember anything from his childhood except that he never has gotten sick before.
This book takes place in Essex, England. One day Robert went in and sat down in the hospital waiting room. He waited patiently for his name to be called. His doctor visit didn’t turn out to be what he expected. He was suppose to go in and have an endoscopy done on his stomach, Conscious but still anaesthetised. An endoscopy is a simple procedure where the doctors stick a tube down the throat and examine the stomach. When they noticed something abnormal they decided they needed to cut him open to get a better look at what they thought was an ulcer, until the anesthesia stopped working and Robert wakes up. There is security at the door and doctors are running all over the place trying to figure out what they have gotten themselves in to. When Robert becomes alarmed at what’s going on he starts to panic, then he finds a way for one of the doctors to get him out of the hospital. “What am I?� is the question that Robert kept asking himself. He thought about it as they then escaped from town. After steeling another doctors car and killing the people that were left in the operating room, they go to a train station in London. Robert demands the doctor stay there while he goes to use the pay phone. This book has so much intensity in it and so much excitement but will Robert figure out what he is and will he get caught for murder and stealing? Read the book and find out!
The theme of this book, I would say is, “All people should get treated equally no matter what.� This is saying a lot about this book. If the doctors were not so dramatic and if they would of just took it easy, then most likely Robert would not of got freaked out and killed a bunch of people and ran away.
At first I really didn’t like this book because it was really boring. I started liking it after Robert killed all the nurses and security people at the hospital right before he escaped. This book is exciting and I recommend it to anyone who likes weird and freaky books. If you like a book with a lot of action in it then this is the book for you. This book also has cursing in it, so if you don’t read books like that then you will not need to read this.
Page Count: 336
Genre: Super-Natural Crime Thriller
August 2, 2024
Iki to pirmadienio Robertas Smitas buvo paprastas paauglys. Ir jo vizitas į ligoninę turėjo būti tik dėl įprastinės endoskopijos � nieko rimto, nieko sudėtingo.
Tačiau po narkozės Robertas prabunda apsuptas ginkluotų žmonių kažkokiame rūsyje. Prapjautu pilvu. Jo viduje jie rado tai, ko nebūna pas žmones.
Robertui pasiseka pabėgti, tačiau nuo šiol jo gyvenimas ir tebus tik bėgimas. Stotys, traukiniai, viešbučiai, mėtomi pėdsakai ir persekiotojai. Ir paslaptis � kas yra mano viduje? Kas aš esu?
Viešbučio kambaryje Robertas prasipjauna sau pilvą ir pats išvysta tai, ko neturi kiti žmonės. Kažkokį metalą ar plastiką savo viduje. Bet tai yra jo dalis. Tai yra jis pats.
Bet Robertas nebežino, kas jis toks. Ir nebežino, kuo gali pasitikėti. Tačiau prisimena vieną žmogų Londone, kuris galėtų jam pagelbėti. Tai Edė. Mergina, padirbinėjanti dokumentus. Ir šiaip � žinanti, kaip prasisukti.
Ir Edė gelbsti Robertą. Iš pradžių � nelabai noriai, bet į ją nutaikytas pistoletas paveikia labai įtikinamai. Taip dviejų jaunų žmonių, iki tol menkai pažinojusių vienas kitą, likimai susipina į vieną bendrą. Roberto problemos tampa ir Edės problemomis. Tačiau Robertas nėra visiškai atviras su Ede. Jį vis neramina nuolatinė grėsmė būti sučiuptam ir klausimas, kas jis toks yra.
Taigi, „kas aš esu� � vienas seniausių filosofinių klausimų, neduodantis ramybės ir Robertui. Tačiau jau kiek kitokia prasme. Kas tie žmonės, buvę rūsyje, ir kodėl jie mane persekioja? Ar visas mano gyvenimas, kurį gyvenau, ar bent jau maniau gyvenęs iki šiol, buvo tikras, ar viskas buvo surežisuota? Kas tas daiktas, esantis mano viduje? Ar aš žmogus? Jei ne, tai ko reikia, kad toks būčiau?
Robertas analizuoja savo potyrius, mėgindamas įtikinti save, kad visa tai, ką jaučia jis, jaučia ir kiekvienas kitas žmogus. Galiausiai prieina prie išvados, kad nei vienas negali būti tikras dėl to, kas jis ar ji yra � mes tik manome, kad turim širdį, plaučius, skrandį ir kitus organus, bet nesame to matę savo akimis. Todėl niekada negalime būti įsitikinę. Gal tokių kaip Robertas � ne vienas ir ne dvidešimt.
Nors Robertas nuolat primena, kad tai, kas vyksta, deja, ne filmas, o šlykšti tikrovė, romanas vis tik labai primena įtemptą trilerį. Tačiau be įprastinės formulės „šaudo � gaudo�, čia dar yra nuolatinis, galbūt net amžinas bėgimas. Bėgimas ne tiek nuo persekiotojų, kiek nuo savęs. Arba � savęs link.
Tačiau po narkozės Robertas prabunda apsuptas ginkluotų žmonių kažkokiame rūsyje. Prapjautu pilvu. Jo viduje jie rado tai, ko nebūna pas žmones.
Robertui pasiseka pabėgti, tačiau nuo šiol jo gyvenimas ir tebus tik bėgimas. Stotys, traukiniai, viešbučiai, mėtomi pėdsakai ir persekiotojai. Ir paslaptis � kas yra mano viduje? Kas aš esu?
Viešbučio kambaryje Robertas prasipjauna sau pilvą ir pats išvysta tai, ko neturi kiti žmonės. Kažkokį metalą ar plastiką savo viduje. Bet tai yra jo dalis. Tai yra jis pats.
Bet Robertas nebežino, kas jis toks. Ir nebežino, kuo gali pasitikėti. Tačiau prisimena vieną žmogų Londone, kuris galėtų jam pagelbėti. Tai Edė. Mergina, padirbinėjanti dokumentus. Ir šiaip � žinanti, kaip prasisukti.
Ir Edė gelbsti Robertą. Iš pradžių � nelabai noriai, bet į ją nutaikytas pistoletas paveikia labai įtikinamai. Taip dviejų jaunų žmonių, iki tol menkai pažinojusių vienas kitą, likimai susipina į vieną bendrą. Roberto problemos tampa ir Edės problemomis. Tačiau Robertas nėra visiškai atviras su Ede. Jį vis neramina nuolatinė grėsmė būti sučiuptam ir klausimas, kas jis toks yra.
Taigi, „kas aš esu� � vienas seniausių filosofinių klausimų, neduodantis ramybės ir Robertui. Tačiau jau kiek kitokia prasme. Kas tie žmonės, buvę rūsyje, ir kodėl jie mane persekioja? Ar visas mano gyvenimas, kurį gyvenau, ar bent jau maniau gyvenęs iki šiol, buvo tikras, ar viskas buvo surežisuota? Kas tas daiktas, esantis mano viduje? Ar aš žmogus? Jei ne, tai ko reikia, kad toks būčiau?
Robertas analizuoja savo potyrius, mėgindamas įtikinti save, kad visa tai, ką jaučia jis, jaučia ir kiekvienas kitas žmogus. Galiausiai prieina prie išvados, kad nei vienas negali būti tikras dėl to, kas jis ar ji yra � mes tik manome, kad turim širdį, plaučius, skrandį ir kitus organus, bet nesame to matę savo akimis. Todėl niekada negalime būti įsitikinę. Gal tokių kaip Robertas � ne vienas ir ne dvidešimt.
Nors Robertas nuolat primena, kad tai, kas vyksta, deja, ne filmas, o šlykšti tikrovė, romanas vis tik labai primena įtemptą trilerį. Tačiau be įprastinės formulės „šaudo � gaudo�, čia dar yra nuolatinis, galbūt net amžinas bėgimas. Bėgimas ne tiek nuo persekiotojų, kiek nuo savęs. Arba � savęs link.
Read
February 21, 2012 I am interested in types of books like these. Questions about self, morals, life, anything to do with that. Okay, this one is questioning whether he's human or not. Basic idea. Then there's "branches" off of this. What does it mean if I'm not human, is it okay, was I born or created.
Surprisingly this is also about relationships..and i read it! Interesting
Robert smith is going through tough times-he always has. Being shipped from one home to another, that doesn't really scream balance does it?
He's always healed quickly, is stronger than he looks, and has never been seriously sick. He goes in for a little test to see if he has something abnormal in his stomach. What the doctors find is abnormal for everyone.
I'm not sure I like that everything is solely rotating around the fact that he might not be-or is not, according to Ryan, Human. The questions are repeated throughout the book, making it seem redundant. But it could just be supporting your facts, quite a few times. Or just because it's from his P.O.V. ( point of view ) He's stressed, this one fact is running through his mind, nervous sweaty, unsure. Oh well.
It's interesting how at the beginning point in the book, when trapping the doctors, that's when the "monster," the inhuman part of his seemed most prominent. Suddenly he was cold and calculating, not thinking, moving, doing, but not thinking about anything in great value. (but it seems we were not given the time to establish a baseline of Robert's thinkings and emotions.)
I love the purposeful grammar"edits" that have been made (paraphrase):
this and that...
This?
Or that?
Human/inhuman?
Conscious/unconscious?
Fleshharddrivemetalplasticchemical...?
That's a neat way to express emotion.
But, so far, I'm almost finished the book, I kept waiting, where is the climax? at some times there was some false building up.. but so far, unless it's going into another book, their just running and hiding. But some true points of a book are revieled at the end.
Update: They go all out at the end!
Reminder*: This is an mature audience book, as has some sexual content. You are warned.
Surprisingly this is also about relationships..and i read it! Interesting
Robert smith is going through tough times-he always has. Being shipped from one home to another, that doesn't really scream balance does it?
He's always healed quickly, is stronger than he looks, and has never been seriously sick. He goes in for a little test to see if he has something abnormal in his stomach. What the doctors find is abnormal for everyone.
I'm not sure I like that everything is solely rotating around the fact that he might not be-or is not, according to Ryan, Human. The questions are repeated throughout the book, making it seem redundant. But it could just be supporting your facts, quite a few times. Or just because it's from his P.O.V. ( point of view ) He's stressed, this one fact is running through his mind, nervous sweaty, unsure. Oh well.
It's interesting how at the beginning point in the book, when trapping the doctors, that's when the "monster," the inhuman part of his seemed most prominent. Suddenly he was cold and calculating, not thinking, moving, doing, but not thinking about anything in great value. (but it seems we were not given the time to establish a baseline of Robert's thinkings and emotions.)
I love the purposeful grammar"edits" that have been made (paraphrase):
this and that...
This?
Or that?
Human/inhuman?
Conscious/unconscious?
Fleshharddrivemetalplasticchemical...?
That's a neat way to express emotion.
But, so far, I'm almost finished the book, I kept waiting, where is the climax? at some times there was some false building up.. but so far, unless it's going into another book, their just running and hiding. But some true points of a book are revieled at the end.
Update: They go all out at the end!
Reminder*: This is an mature audience book, as has some sexual content. You are warned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2009
After doctors preform an endoscopy on Robert Smith, his preception of himself becomes rattled and confused. Contious but still anaesthetised, he can hear harsh mummurs and the commotion of an operation gone wrong. The surgeons hadn't exactly found what they were looking for hidden deep inside the hollow stomach of Robert. Instead they have found something intirely different, a network of mysterious and technological implants. Frightened the surgeon crew call a goverment agency in secret, and a agent Ryan appears to be directing the doctors. His life is tured upside down when he makes a humungous seen in the hopital. Robert then has to run from authorites, and his "freind" Edi Ray joins him on the bumby ride to find his identity. What makes Robert become this way, and who will he find the truth from? This is the question he asks himself.
Being by Kevin Brooks is a intense novel that suspends the reader from the edge of their seat. It is a Sci-fi thriller with a romantic sub-plot. While Robert is running away from the authorites he asks himself if he should just give up. Instead he continues to run and his despiration is so deeply described that you feel as though you are running with him. Kevin Brooks also uses intense vocabulary and vivid decriptions to describe Robert's surroundings. The questionable romance between Edi Ray and Robert makes the book juicy and intresting.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the constant surprises were really amazing. The major question I asked myself while reading this book was, "What is Robert?" Is he an animal, is he a robot? Many things came to my mind. Robert's struggle to find his identiy made me feel for him. Does Robert's implant preclude him from being human? Or is his true identity something he has to shelter? The theme of identity is major in this novel. Yes, it's true Robert knows his name, but who is he internally?
Being by Kevin Brooks is a intense novel that suspends the reader from the edge of their seat. It is a Sci-fi thriller with a romantic sub-plot. While Robert is running away from the authorites he asks himself if he should just give up. Instead he continues to run and his despiration is so deeply described that you feel as though you are running with him. Kevin Brooks also uses intense vocabulary and vivid decriptions to describe Robert's surroundings. The questionable romance between Edi Ray and Robert makes the book juicy and intresting.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the constant surprises were really amazing. The major question I asked myself while reading this book was, "What is Robert?" Is he an animal, is he a robot? Many things came to my mind. Robert's struggle to find his identiy made me feel for him. Does Robert's implant preclude him from being human? Or is his true identity something he has to shelter? The theme of identity is major in this novel. Yes, it's true Robert knows his name, but who is he internally?
July 12, 2011
From the moment I read "Lucas" many years ago, I have been a fan of Kevin Brooks and how he is able to explore the deepness, for lack of a better word, that lies within humanity. The darkness, the pain, the uncertainty, are all beautifully represented in his work. Sadly, "Being" left me rather disappointed. Science fiction is a genre that I do enjoy, but have never previously read in a Kevin Brooks novel; I believe that this element was a distraction. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the strange and unnatural, but it did not work as well in this novel.
The ending left me disappointed. As with the novel "The War of the Worlds", the ending makes complete sense and I can easily see why the author chose the ending, it's intelligent and gets across the point he was trying to convey, but I wanted more. I like for things to have neat and tidy answers. I normally do not mind if small questions go unanswered and the reader is allowed to decide for themselves what happens, but I like for there to be at least some sort of a hint of what has been happening throughout the entire story; I want some reason for why I have been paying attention to the overall plot. Character development is a crucial part of any story, but for me there needs to be something more. This novel felt like the plot was only there to keep the story loosely cohesive.
If you are a fan of neatly wrapped up endings, this novel is not for you. However, if you enjoy learning about the dark places of humanity that linger inside of a soul, I would recommend reading "Being".
The ending left me disappointed. As with the novel "The War of the Worlds", the ending makes complete sense and I can easily see why the author chose the ending, it's intelligent and gets across the point he was trying to convey, but I wanted more. I like for things to have neat and tidy answers. I normally do not mind if small questions go unanswered and the reader is allowed to decide for themselves what happens, but I like for there to be at least some sort of a hint of what has been happening throughout the entire story; I want some reason for why I have been paying attention to the overall plot. Character development is a crucial part of any story, but for me there needs to be something more. This novel felt like the plot was only there to keep the story loosely cohesive.
If you are a fan of neatly wrapped up endings, this novel is not for you. However, if you enjoy learning about the dark places of humanity that linger inside of a soul, I would recommend reading "Being".
April 2, 2009
If you want an honest, thought over opinion, I didn’t really care for this book. I believed that it was going to turn out to be one of my all time favorites. But, in the end I was proved wrong. This book was going smoothly from the beginning, with the suspense, and drama, in the end these qualities make up a good story but I think that they were over used way too much. I also enjoy a book that has questions that you can’t wait to solve because that’s what brings you back to keep reading. But, when they aren’t answered it makes me want to never read again. I, in all respect, wanted to chuck this book through the wall and into Kevin Brook’s head. Maybe that will knock some scents into him and get him to write a better ending. But on a lighter side, I was kept on edge and really enjoyed the fast paced parts when guns were involved.
Most of the time the ending is what makes a good book for me, so when if finished this book and was just left hanging, I was greatly disappointed. It was a waste of eight bucks. I really want to write a good review for this book because it did contain many fascinatingly thrilling moments. But, those were just moments. I wasn’t really pulled in by this book. I’d give it a two maybe a three out of five. I’m not sure if I would read any more of Brook’s books.
Most of the time the ending is what makes a good book for me, so when if finished this book and was just left hanging, I was greatly disappointed. It was a waste of eight bucks. I really want to write a good review for this book because it did contain many fascinatingly thrilling moments. But, those were just moments. I wasn’t really pulled in by this book. I’d give it a two maybe a three out of five. I’m not sure if I would read any more of Brook’s books.
June 6, 2015
I have enjoyed Kevin Brooks' stories in the past; Black Rabbit Summer, and Naked being the other two I've read and enjoyed. So when Being was recommended to me I thought Why not?
If I had known that the entire premise of the story would feel pointless, then I would have left it, forgotten the story existed, and put it down to the author "having a bad day". As it is, I did read it, and tried to enjoy it for what it was. I am fan of Sci-fi, and Brooks so forced myself through it.
If you have four hours of spare time, can't decide what to read, and are willing to regret time wasted then this book is for you. It's fast paced enough to keep you intrigued and that's it. The story veneers off after quite a decent opening. The main character, Robert Smith, is a bit annoying as he has so little of a personality. All of the other characters are a bit flat with personality, with only Eddi (in the beginning) being of interest. There are some scenes throughout that had be believing it was picking up, only for it to fall again.
After an Anti-climatic end, and a lot of repetition, I can safely say this is the worst of Kevin Brooks' novels so far, but I did still manage to read it!
If I had known that the entire premise of the story would feel pointless, then I would have left it, forgotten the story existed, and put it down to the author "having a bad day". As it is, I did read it, and tried to enjoy it for what it was. I am fan of Sci-fi, and Brooks so forced myself through it.
If you have four hours of spare time, can't decide what to read, and are willing to regret time wasted then this book is for you. It's fast paced enough to keep you intrigued and that's it. The story veneers off after quite a decent opening. The main character, Robert Smith, is a bit annoying as he has so little of a personality. All of the other characters are a bit flat with personality, with only Eddi (in the beginning) being of interest. There are some scenes throughout that had be believing it was picking up, only for it to fall again.
After an Anti-climatic end, and a lot of repetition, I can safely say this is the worst of Kevin Brooks' novels so far, but I did still manage to read it!
April 13, 2010
The first time I read this book at the end i was like 'what the @#%*!!!' what was Kevin Brook thinking when he wrote this!!!!!! It does not tell us what he is, and the fact that Eddi dies at the end did not help my ... rage, at the book for ending, and at MR. Brooks for ending it that way. i still had so many questions, about what Robert really was, or who Ryan was. But then i re-read the last 2 or 3 chapters and i realized something: that it did not matter what Robert was. Or who Ryan was aether, what did matter was that Robert, by the end of the book, had come to accept what he was - what ever that is- and that he had found love and acceptance with Eddi. i also re-read the last conversation between Eddi and Robert before they enter the 'apartment' on their last night. Did anybody realize what Eddi was saying, what she was trying or about to tell Robert?..... if you didn't, re-read that part. if you did leave me a Comment Please. (I think most of the girls will understand and see what I'm talking about)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2011
More of my reviews at
Being was absolutely captivating and I could scarcely put it down. The story starts out with Robert Smith going to the doctor for a routine examination: an endoscopy. But what they see there was anything but routine. I don't want to give the story away, but what they see causes a whole set of events to unfold. Robert ends up going to Eddi (who is a girl) because she makes fake IDs and he needs a new identity. Then once Eddie becomes involved with all of Robert's problems, they end up having to go off together to live in hiding. Then a whole bunch of other things happen; some of it awesome and some of it really sad. But overall this was a book full of intrigue, fighting, romance, a whole lot of awesomeness, and a lesson that teaches you what it really means to be human. I absolutely loved it and will definitely be reading more of Kevin Brooks' books in the future. :))
Being was absolutely captivating and I could scarcely put it down. The story starts out with Robert Smith going to the doctor for a routine examination: an endoscopy. But what they see there was anything but routine. I don't want to give the story away, but what they see causes a whole set of events to unfold. Robert ends up going to Eddi (who is a girl) because she makes fake IDs and he needs a new identity. Then once Eddie becomes involved with all of Robert's problems, they end up having to go off together to live in hiding. Then a whole bunch of other things happen; some of it awesome and some of it really sad. But overall this was a book full of intrigue, fighting, romance, a whole lot of awesomeness, and a lesson that teaches you what it really means to be human. I absolutely loved it and will definitely be reading more of Kevin Brooks' books in the future. :))
January 2, 2022
I was never into reading but when i read this book i loooved it and i actually had to buy it !!! I understand that some people don't like the ending because the story doesn't really developp and I would be forever grateful if there was a second book coming out . If you've already read some of Kevin Brooks other books like the the bunker diary, well you notice that there is always a female character that ( SPOILER ALERT !! ) dies .... Anyway i liked this book a lot because of the way it was written and i was never into crime but this book also has romance and i felt as if it was a bit philosophical . I actually learnt that kevin brooks studied philosophy so thats why its a bit well um thiniking. When I finished the book I was in shock yeh anyway have a good day
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2011
I really liked this book up to the very end. I thought it didn't have a satisfying ending. There could have been a lot more done with this book. Now that we have got that out of the way I will praise it. There were some twists I was not expecting which was very fun. All in all I think you should read it but not expect much from the ending. I think if the author wanted to he could even make it into a series. I think he wanted to write more but was at a loss so he just ended it. Wondering what happened afterwards.
November 9, 2014
This book began as a seemingly sci-fi mystery-alien / possibly bionic-boy kind of deal. Complete with men in suits and top-secret recordings and stuff, cringeworthy scenarios where our protagonist faces utter doom. But... then it kind of stops.
He eventually escapes the government's clutches and it turns into a romance novel.
when they finally find him again he decides that he doesn't want to know what he is. THE END
I was pretty disappointed, wanted more robot boy and less lady friend. 2/5 stars.
He eventually escapes the government's clutches and it turns into a romance novel.
when they finally find him again he decides that he doesn't want to know what he is. THE END
I was pretty disappointed, wanted more robot boy and less lady friend. 2/5 stars.
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