Books, booklets & multimedia

Special & Odd

	Price: £8.95	BAAF, 2007 ISBN 978 1 905664 17 7

The casual reader will find this story extraordinary and unique; as an adopted child I found it eerily familiar. The all too recognisable feelings and fears that Mulholland evokes, make it at times painful to read but never less that utterly compelling. We are all special and odd and this book is a wonderfully insightful exploration – for all of us.
Nicky Campbell, broadcaster and author of Blue-eyed Son

In this extraordinarily witty, revealing and candid memoir, James Mulholland explores the impact of growing up adopted, searching for and finding his birth mother 29 years after being given up for adoption, and dealing with the psychological trauma and addictions he associates with his adoption.

The story begins on a beach in Cornwall when James overhears, by chance, a conversation which leads him to his birth mother. And ends when his adoptive parents and birth mother join him in a rehab clinic in the Arizona desert!

James constantly questions the extent to which his personality has been formed by his adoption into a wealthy upper middle class family. How much does his adoptive status really influence his behaviour and decisions, or is it just a convenient hook on which to hang his angst? Why does he feel so insecure despite all of the love and attention lavished on him? Is he really special and odd?

Special & Odd will move you, make you think and make you laugh. It will be of particular interest to all those involved in adoption, and especially anyone who has been adopted or is an adoptive parent. But this incredible and honest story will also appeal to everyone who enjoys a good read and a fascinating insight into human nature.