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Being

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 1,489 ratings · 233 reviews

"The Fugitive" meets "Blade Runner" with a Kevin Brooks kick in this heart-stopper about a boy who discovers he's not one hundred percent human.

It was just supposed to be a routine exam. But when the doctors snake the fiber-optic tube down Robert Smith's throat, what they discover doesn't make medical sense. Plastic casings. Silver filaments. Moving metal parts. In his nak...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published February 1st 2007 by Chicken House

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May 15, 2008 Ne Ne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-4-class

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...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

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...more 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. (less)

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Feb 20, 2012 Rivkah added it

Shelves: mature-content

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 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?
H...more

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Dec 05, 2008 Brooke rated it 1 of 5 stars

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 show...more 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
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Mar 01, 2009 Sydney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 9th-grade-advisory

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...more

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Dec 14, 2008 Ying rated it 4 of 5 stars

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!!!!!

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Jul 06, 2011 Stephanie (Stepping out of the Page) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, read-in-2011, disliked, let-down, awful-cover, books-i-own

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 th...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Nicola rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books, young-adult

It was okay. A quick, easy read but nothing special or memorable. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, because they just weren't realistic. Eddi was literally whoever she decided to be, and Robert didn't act like a normal teenage boy. He found out his body was basically a machine, but just took it completely in his stride. The ending was a let down. I wanted to find out HOW Robert came to be the way he was, but we were told nothing and I felt no sense of closure. It was an all right bo...more

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Jan 15, 2009 Meng Qian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-2009

In this book, the protagonist, Robert who is a lonely orphan is having a difficult time living with different foster parents and finding out his true identities. Unfortunately, one day, he goes to the hospital with stomachache for routine exam. And yet, he is been told that his insides are not human. This is because there are plastic and metals inside his body. Afterward, he realizes these doctors are not really doctors, but these people have guns and are demanding something from him. He tries...more

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May 14, 2013 Alz rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-mg, contemporary

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 beginnin...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Jesse Wu rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I first cracked open the book Being by Kevin Brooks, I was unable to put it down. Being is a science/realistic fiction novel that is told from a first person perspective of the protagonist, a 16 year old boy named Robert Smith. The story begins with Robert arriving at the hospital for an endoscopy on what was suspected to be a stomach ulcer. What the doctors see is far from what they had expected, and thus, the main conflict in this novel reveals itself. Throughout the story, themes of cha...more When I first cracked open the book Being by Kevin Brooks, I was unable to put it down. Being is a science/realistic fiction novel that is told from a first person perspective of the protagonist, a 16 year old boy named Robert Smith. The story begins with Robert arriving at the hospital for an endoscopy on what was suspected to be a stomach ulcer. What the doctors see is far from what they had expected, and thus, the main conflict in this novel reveals itself. Throughout the story, themes of change and acceptance are reflected in the decisions that Robert is forced to make for himself and those around him.

I found the at Being was a fun and interesting read in general, but lacked many aspects that could have further enhanced my reading experience, such as the structural integrity of the storyline. Often, Robert seems to be switching ambitions and goals that ultimately do not lead to his quest in discovering his identity. His questions for himself began with, “Who am i? What the hell was going on?” but eventually evolve to, “Why do i need help?” without answering the former questions that he had. Personally I felt that in such a short story of 350 pages, the plot took to many abrupt turns in the conflict to effectively develop a clear understanding of the character in the reader. In the beginning as well, we are introduced to Robert, but are so briefly informed on his background that it feels as if we’re basically leading the life of a rock; we know its a rock, but nothing else. As well, the author is able to keep you intrigued and stretch the suspense through the course of the story, but leaves you with a cliff-hanger that left me thinking, “What did I just read?” afterwards.

Besides the structure of the plot and the story itself, I found Kevin Brook’s style of writing extremely captivating. As our protagonist, Robert, discovers more about who-or what he is, we are reading things from his perspective. Therefore we are learning more about him as well so that our knowledge on the character progresses steadily with the storyline itself. You will never find yourself accidentally inferring what comes next, and having that inference come true, which occasionally ruins the fun in reading.

I recommend this book for people who love to read books for the experience of being in the characters shoes, as Being draws you in entirely, and adequately allows you to question yourself and ask, “What would I do if I were him?” For those who love a well-developed story line, Being would be unable to satisfy your literary needs, as the plot at times can seem very random and unorganized. This novel has been captivating from beginning to end but has left me hanging with too many unanswered questions for me to feel contented at the end of the book. I did however enjoy reading from the perspective of the character as I was able to relate more personally, and would jump at the opportunity to read another book similar to Being by Kevin Brooks.
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Jan 29, 2012 Alim Yai rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kevin Brooks, F U!
WHat kind of ending is that. This books is such a good book, and i was wondering why this book got so many bad rates but i see WHY now.
It's like the author got sick of using his fucken mind and decided you know what im just gonna kill eddi, leave the bad guy alive, and not let everyone know wtf robert is.
IS there a sequel to this book??? if there is thebn' it'll change my review, but i highly doubt there.

I read this book in one day (till 3am to be more speciphic) thats how exci...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Belinda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: okay-books, sci-fi, reviews, ya

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 no...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Terry Brooks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 t...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Potokat rated it 2 of 5 stars

This YA book has everything - cussing, violence, drugs and sex. Who could want more from a YA novel? Now, I was hoping for a bit of plot, but I guess if I'm a 13 year old boy I'd be fine with the other four components.

Robert, a lonely foster child, goes in for an endoscopy and ends up fighting for his life. The doctors discover something odd about him, something so strange that he ends up targeted for capture by an assassin who seems to have no identity. He turns to Eddi, a 19-year-old gal with...more

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May 25, 2011 Clarabel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Suite à une banale endoscopie, un adolescent de seize ans, Robert Smith, est tiré de son anesthésie et surprend une conversation des chirurgiens penchés sur son corps ouvert, tout de plastique et de métal... qu'est-ce que cela signifie ? Quand, au-delà de la douleur, l'ado bondit et surprend l'assistance, l'arme au poing, il parvient à s'extirper de ce cauchemar. Mais qui est-il ?

Robert s'enfuit et se réfugie dans une chambre d'hôtel. Dans la presse du lendemain matin, il apprend qu'il est rech...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Flick Qix rated it 4 of 5 stars

A creature that is usually prey can become the predator when endangered. In this issue of “Being: Uncovered,” we will look at Robert, a human of instinct. He escapes imminent danger and converts his energy to aid him in defense, but there is more to this intriguing creature than meets the eye.
Robert is like a deer, the way he is constantly trying to evade the dangerous predators that pursue him in an attempt to find what he is made of--literally. Surprisingly, Robert is too powerful to be captur...more A creature that is usually prey can become the predator when endangered. In this issue of “Being: Uncovered,” we will look at Robert, a human of instinct. He escapes imminent danger and converts his energy to aid him in defense, but there is more to this intriguing creature than meets the eye.
Robert is like a deer, the way he is constantly trying to evade the dangerous predators that pursue him in an attempt to find what he is made of--literally. Surprisingly, Robert is too powerful to be captured. I admire his audacity and determination to escape and survive. Without these qualities, young Robert would have perished from the wild dangers already. Being an animal of instinct, he obeys no one but his gut. “Jerking upright, tearing the mask from my mouth, ripping the tube from my throat... I didn’t know what I was doing. But something inside me did.” In addition to the raw impulse of this character, he also incorporates logic into his actions. “I realized that all the other passengers were staring curiously through the window, trying to see what was going on at the hotel, which made me look out of place... Pulling down the rim of my hat, I joined in with everyone else and stared through the window at the hotel.”
Though physical conflict is the main issue that Robert faces, many other conflicts have shown themselves in several different forms. But sometimes it is difficult to realize the other forms of danger can come in. That’s exactly what happens as Robert begins to contemplate the reality of his situation and ultimately, himself. “What was I? What could I be?... Was I flesh and blood? or not?” This sort of thinking can lead to emotional endangerment in addition to weathered mental health. Mental health affects all functions, especially physical. “I wanted to go to sleep, but I knew I couldn’t. I was too scared. Scared of what was inside of me. Scared of myself.” Fear is a force that danger comes in. When adrenaline levels are high, not only does it affect the heart, but the perception too. Everything that follows after is up to nature to decide.
Spirituality comes in several forms and is not limited to all the religions you can name. Robert has tapped into his spirituality in quite a few ways. Like tribal humans, Robert as used self-mutilation as a pathway to his spirit. At one point, he is found carving into himself. “I took the blood stained scalpel in my right hand, clenched the fist of my left hand, held the arm out in front of me, then pressed the blade into the fleshy part and slowly drew it down.” Another way Robert attains a spiritual state is through his mate, Eddi Ray, by learning to trust, which is opening a pathway into the hearts of one another. “The only way we’re going to get through this is by trusting each other...” (Eddi Ray). It is so interesting to see how Robert behaves and observes when he reaches the spiritual state. “...Somehow everything in the world had just shrunk, and everything there was right here, right now. Inside me, inside this room, inside this silent white cube.”
Robert is a creature with brute physical strength and resistance, a balanced mental state, and an open spirituality. He is able to run from the predator and fight when necessary. By observing him, one can learn that you do not always have to be on the offense or defense, and that a healthy balance of the two can make you virtually invincible.(less)

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Nov 30, 2009 Gw rated it 2 of 5 stars

Being by Kevin Brooks was suspense filled book that revolved around your average teenage boy. The story started with Robert Smith waiting for his medical examination at the hospital. Although he had been sedated during his examination, he remained conscious and overheard a conversation between his doctor and another man talking about an abnormality. Robert then realized that the ‘abnormality’ on the table was him and fled. Robert found himself accused of murder and seek help from Eddi, an acquai...more Being by Kevin Brooks was suspense filled book that revolved around your average teenage boy. The story started with Robert Smith waiting for his medical examination at the hospital. Although he had been sedated during his examination, he remained conscious and overheard a conversation between his doctor and another man talking about an abnormality. Robert then realized that the ‘abnormality’ on the table was him and fled. Robert found himself accused of murder and seek help from Eddi, an acquaintance that was known for the creation of fake Ids and together, they escaped to Spain until the agency discovered their whereabouts.
Brooks’ decision of using first person narration played a big role in trapping the reader into the plot. The reader was bombarded with Robert’s inner thoughts which revealed his fears and desires. By doing so, Brooks made Robert a relatable character to the targeted teenage audience. His use of imagery especially when describing actions allowed readers to visualize the scene with no difficulty and cringe alongside with Robert as he pulled on his wound until “a crack appeared, and a dribble of thin brown liquid oozed out” (Brooks pg 75). Brooks also incorporated a vast amount of questions, forcing readers to unconsciously consider the themes of acceptance and self-discovery. Along with Robert, readers asked themselves “what did it matter what was inside me? As long as it worked and as long as it didn’t stop me from being myself, who cared what it was?” (Brooks 286). By doing this, Brook effectively made readers ponder about these themes throughout the story. The only downfall of this intense story was that the story left us hanging for it provided no answer to the mysteries of Robert or the agency. Instead, the author decided that Robert should just ride off “into the darkness” (Brooks 323), leaving the ending wide open for confusion. For readers that demand for a well rounded conclusion, this story would not be able to provide that. Overall, this story was an interesting read and definitely a page turner but would only qualify as a good read if you ignore the detached ending.
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Apr 02, 2009 Austin 8-2-2 rated it 2 of 5 stars

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, wh...more

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Jan 04, 2010 H.I. Al-Muhairi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, aww, 2010, weird-and-bizzare, ya, realistic-fiction, original, death-and-pain

This was a pretty strange yet interesting book.

'Dr. Andrews tells Robert that his surgery will be a routine endoscopy, which will check for a stomach ulcer. Everything is going as planned --- IVs, anesthesia, gurneys, doctors, scalpels --- until the anesthesia stops working and Robert wakes up. Doctors are calling for more doctors. Men with holstered pistols stand guard around the room. The confusion increases as the doctors try to figure out what they're seeing. "What the hell are you?" one of...more

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Jul 14, 2009 Roland rated it 2 of 5 stars

This strange novel was un-put-downable for the first 160 or so pages because the starting position is certainly intriguing and Brooks can write. Obviously, the protagonist's alienness might be seen as a cheap trick, an excuse for unlikely bits of the action. (Still, how Robert goes from lost 16-year-old to Steven Seagal type terrorist scourge inside the hospital is beyond belief - at least for this reviewer.)
It is unlikely that he should meet Eddi again, it is unlikely that she should drug him,...more

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Jan 02, 2009 Jean rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

This was a very good book. I even liked the controversial ending (though I had some advance warning.) The premise wasn't terribly captivating to me and I didn't feel like the author's deeper ruminations on the nature of humanity were all that profound, but I still was interested in finding out what would happen to this young man. He goes in for a routine procedure on his stomach only to freak out the medical staff, which in turn freaks him out and sets him off on a murderous run from the authori...more This was a very good book. I even liked the controversial ending (though I had some advance warning.) The premise wasn't terribly captivating to me and I didn't feel like the author's deeper ruminations on the nature of humanity were all that profound, but I still was interested in finding out what would happen to this young man. He goes in for a routine procedure on his stomach only to freak out the medical staff, which in turn freaks him out and sets him off on a murderous run from the authorities while he tries to understand and (more importantly) accept what is inside him.

Even though the main questions of the plot were unanswered, I felt like that worked well and got Brooks' point across. I especially liked the writing style: it was very rhythmic, with fragments and breaks drawing attention to all the most important moments and sentences. It worked well for the premise of the novel and for the state of mind of the protagonist.

Perhaps I should have elected to read this at a time in my life when I wasn't so stressed out, because the book is pretty stressful from beginning to end. Oh well. It was action-packed and suspenseful and would proably translate well into a movie. I appreciated it very much intellectually and I wanted to find out what happened, but I didn't find myself engaged with it. The main character was what I call a "Holden Caulfield" chcracter: he lacked emotion, purpose, and a sense of presence in his own life. I find it very hard to relate to characters like that. In this case, however, while I couldn't empathise with Robert Smith, I feel like his state of mind worked for the story. Again, I appreciated it, but I can't say I liked it, so I have a hard time deciding on a rating.

I did read the teaser chapter for Black Rabbit Summer included in Being, and it seems that I will have the same trouble with the characters in that, so I doubt I'll be reading any more of Kevin Brooks' novels, though I'm sure they're all of excellent quality.(less)

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Nov 28, 2011 Dani rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure, romance

"If I looked the same as everyone else, walked the same as everyone else, talked the same as everyone else... how was I to know that I wasn't the same as everyone else?

What would tell me?

What did I have to tell me?

How would I know?" (Page 74. One of my favourite quotes from here. It's true.)

This book was good, but in the end it was nothing but incredibly frustrating. I hated the ending. The entire book was about finding out what Robert was... and in the end you don't actually find out. What the...more "If I looked the same as everyone else, walked the same as everyone else, talked the same as everyone else... how was I to know that I wasn't the same as everyone else?

What would tell me?

What did I have to tell me?

How would I know?" (Page 74. One of my favourite quotes from here. It's true.)

This book was good, but in the end it was nothing but incredibly frustrating. I hated the ending. The entire book was about finding out what Robert was... and in the end you don't actually find out. What the heck. (view spoiler) You don't even find out what was up with Ryan and the creepy guys in suits. This felt unfinished. There should've been more to it. It just felt like a bit of a cop-out, like the author didn't actually know what Robert was either. Maybe he did, but that was what it felt like. Annoying and unfinished.

There was a lot of romance in this book that wasn't even hinted at on the blurb. I didn't mind it, but it wasn't what I was expecting, and I'm sure people wanting a thriller would've been tearing their hair out at the pages and pages of Robert and Eddi.

And honestly, some parts of this book were just outright disturbing. (view spoiler)

Otherwise, it was a really good book. I loved the philosophical passages about being human (or not-human) and there were a lot of moments that scared the heck out of me and made me read on. When action was happening, it was brilliant (view spoiler).

In the end, it just comes down to the fact that I would've loved this book if we actually found out what Robert was. :I(less)

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May 02, 2010 Meryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 12, 2011 Captain Jacq rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 s...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Trisha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ultimate-teen-books

Wow, what a story! As soon as you pick the book up - you hit the ground running! Robert goes to the doctor for small exam - they think he might have an ulcer and just want to make sure.
From there, it all goes horribly wrong! After waking up to realize they are about to perform surgery instead of their simple exam - and they are talking about some weird things going on inside of him - he just keeps hear "what are you?" Robert realizes they are talking about him!

From there it's a sprint. Much like...more

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May 14, 2012 Abby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Abby by: Carrie...kind of.

Shelves: 2012-read, 4th-quarter

Robert is in the hospital for a minor surgery, but when the surgeons find metal plates and other abnormal things in him(he's somehow still awake), Robert is terrified. He gets off of the gurney and takes a gun from Ryan, a surgeon, and starts to attack the surgeons with the gun, in a way. He then makes a getaway, with the police constantly on his tail.

Okay, first of all, Robert does not react to his situation as a normal teenager would. If I were in his situation, I would just open my eyes and...more

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Apr 06, 2011 Kaisa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nope. Don't get it. What's the point, really?
The first half is pretty engaging. Machine parts, is he a cyborg? There's a girl! He has to run away from mysterious men in suits... All that is fine.
But then they run away to Spain? And they stay there.... completely safe... living their lives...
And I found myself thinking: Did it even matter that he's part machine? This book is definitely not about that. It's not really about anything that the front or the back of the book seems to advertise.
Basical...more

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Apr 13, 2010 Deylyn Brizuela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 20, 2008 Chelsea rated it 4 of 5 stars

It all began with a routine check up at the doctor's office. All that was supposed to happen was the doctors were going to stick a tube down his throat and look at his stomach. No big deal, right? Wrong. When Robert, an orphan who has been sent from house to house, wakes up from the anesthesia halfway through the procedure, he realizes something is definately off. He can't move, but he can see and feel as the doctors begin cutting at his stomach. They discover that Robert is not human at all. A...more

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What's The Name o...: Science-Fiction type book about a clone/alien type boy on the run from a secret organization [s]	4	41	Jan 29, 2013 04:41pm

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About Kevin Brooks

Kevin 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...more

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“Trust, faith,good, bad... none of it matters. All you ever do is what you have to do. Follow your disires, fulfill your needs, escape from pain. That's all there is to it.” — 10 people liked it

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