Thank you for your superhuman perseverance in making sure it was told. I’m left feeling elated as well as ashamed after reading Malcolm’s story. I hadn’t realised the extent of ECT use in NZ. I had no inkling of the sending of “helpless souls” from England. The story sears the soul, the conscience and the mind, both celebrating humanity and revealing our darknesses. Seacliff is a part of New Zealand history that unfortunately is universal. Definitely a true story you'll never forget. Tarr’s voice is direct and her treatment is sympathetic and thought provoking. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat and will definitely read it a third and fourth time. At times it was very hard to read because of how descriptive Tarr was about his plight, but I just had to know what happened. They begin to unfold as she hooks you in with imagery of many of the mainstay characters and the psychiatric institution called Seacliff. Tarr introduces Malcolm to the reader as no one special, but it soon becomes apparent that he has many secrets. A great book from a great author! - Anca-Melinda Coliolu (author) The ending is unexpected, with a twist that makes the reader want to start reading it all over again. The author skilfully manages to sprinkle some humour in the darkest of situations. This story has a depth that could only come from life experience, from knowledge of the human psychology and behaviour. It’s not an average prototype of fiction. What happens to a child who has had no parenting, who is exposed to institutionalisation and whose stimulation is all wrong? A child who is not allowed to grow up? Read PHENOMENA the Lost and Forgotten Children and many of these questions are answered. Interwoven into this historical work (a few actually funny stories, more unbearably sad) is the story of Malcolm. Tarr’s result is a highly readable description of a slice of life few people were privy to.

This book is amazing it is honestly different. I would recommend this book to all, because there's much more to learn from it than from a psychological anthology! - Cristian-Zenoviu Drozd (writer) All the feelings, thoughts, and facts are put into words skilfully, finding the perfect balance between simple and complex, fiction and reality. It’s introspective, but far from depressing. What an amazing story! - Margitte Reviews It reminds me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The story winds through historical facts with ease and a gripping tale is introduced to the reader.

(Formerly published as SEACLIFF a Regular Boy Within) PHENOMENA the Lost and Forgotten Children

Phenomena by Susan Tarr