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The Boy with Two Heads
The incredible story of a boy with two heads, from the acclaimed author of Trash
How would you feel if you woke up and found another head growing out of your neck? A living, breathing, talking head, with a rude, sharp tongue and an evil sense of humor. It knows all your darkest thoughts and it’s not afraid to say what it thinks—to anybody That's what happens to 11-year-old Richard Westlake, and life becomes very, very complicated. Part thriller, part horror, part comedy, this is one of the most riveting novels about fear and friendship that you will ever read.
How would you feel if you woke up and found another head growing out of your neck? A living, breathing, talking head, with a rude, sharp tongue and an evil sense of humor. It knows all your darkest thoughts and it’s not afraid to say what it thinks—to anybody That's what happens to 11-year-old Richard Westlake, and life becomes very, very complicated. Part thriller, part horror, part comedy, this is one of the most riveting novels about fear and friendship that you will ever read.
- GenresChildrensYoung Adult
394 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2013
19 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Andy Mulligan
17 books92 followersAndy Mulligan was brought up in the south of London. He worked as a theatre director for ten years before travels in Asia prompted him to retrain as a teacher. He has taught English and drama in India, Brazil, the Philippines and the UK. He now divides his time between London and Manila.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 3, 2016
The back of this book listed comedy as one of it's genres, yet both my mum and I failed to find anything remotely humorous within. Putting that aside however, this was extremely moving and well-written. It brought friendship, growing up, grief and guilt together to create a powerful story about the relationship between granddad and grandson.
When eleven-year old Richard Westlake wakes up one morning, he finds he can hardly breathe due to a large lump in his throat. Rushed to the hospital, doctors watch as the lump grows at an alarming rate into a second head, complete with hair, teeth and the ability to see, think, talk and hear. Richard's case is extremely rare - although not unheard of.
After a few weeks, Richard returns to school. His classmates welcome him back with open arms, and they have no problems with his second head, who requests to be known as Rikki. But unlike Richard, docile and non-conflicting, Rikki is the exact opposite. Racist, sharp, angst-ridden and rude, Rikki is not afraid to speak his mind, but he knows Richard's darkest thoughts
When things take a dramatic turn, the sinister Dr. Warren try to convince Richard that surgery is the only option. Even though he protests, the operation is scheduled anyway.
With help from unlikely people, Richard and Rikki, his teacher and friend Eric stowaway on the school's coach, which is journeying to Wales for the Y6 residential. The three of them jump off the coach, taking various equipment with them to help them survive in the wilderness. Four of their classmates join them as well, and the seven attempt to not only survive, but avoid capture as well.
What I think made this book so moving was the internal conflict Richard held inside him. Earlier that year, Richard was walking home with his granddad who had a heart attack, collapsing in the street and dying in his arms. Part of Richard hated himself for not knowing how to save his granddad; another part of him hated his granddad for dying how and when he did. Rikki held Richard's hatred - while part of him loved his granddad very much, he also felt hate towards him. The two heads were the conflict within one person and the inability to solve them. At the end of the book, Richard and Rikki land in an abandoned airfield, and his granddad appeared. This gave Richard the closure he needed. He had been feeling guilty for so long about being unable to save his granddad, and, whilst many people had told him that it wasn't his fault, Richard needed to hear it from his granddad. Once he heard that, there was no internal conflict.
There are 7 stages of grief, one being anger. Richard had kept so much anger bottled up inside him - both at himself and his granddad - that Rikki had grown with his mind filled with all the fury. At the end, it could have been his granddad's ghost talking to him; likewise it could have been his brain as that was what he needed to hear.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a story about friendship and growing up, entwined with a deeper message of a boy who deeply misses his granddad.
When eleven-year old Richard Westlake wakes up one morning, he finds he can hardly breathe due to a large lump in his throat. Rushed to the hospital, doctors watch as the lump grows at an alarming rate into a second head, complete with hair, teeth and the ability to see, think, talk and hear. Richard's case is extremely rare - although not unheard of.
After a few weeks, Richard returns to school. His classmates welcome him back with open arms, and they have no problems with his second head, who requests to be known as Rikki. But unlike Richard, docile and non-conflicting, Rikki is the exact opposite. Racist, sharp, angst-ridden and rude, Rikki is not afraid to speak his mind, but he knows Richard's darkest thoughts
When things take a dramatic turn, the sinister Dr. Warren try to convince Richard that surgery is the only option. Even though he protests, the operation is scheduled anyway.
With help from unlikely people, Richard and Rikki, his teacher and friend Eric stowaway on the school's coach, which is journeying to Wales for the Y6 residential. The three of them jump off the coach, taking various equipment with them to help them survive in the wilderness. Four of their classmates join them as well, and the seven attempt to not only survive, but avoid capture as well.
What I think made this book so moving was the internal conflict Richard held inside him. Earlier that year, Richard was walking home with his granddad who had a heart attack, collapsing in the street and dying in his arms. Part of Richard hated himself for not knowing how to save his granddad; another part of him hated his granddad for dying how and when he did. Rikki held Richard's hatred - while part of him loved his granddad very much, he also felt hate towards him. The two heads were the conflict within one person and the inability to solve them. At the end of the book, Richard and Rikki land in an abandoned airfield, and his granddad appeared. This gave Richard the closure he needed. He had been feeling guilty for so long about being unable to save his granddad, and, whilst many people had told him that it wasn't his fault, Richard needed to hear it from his granddad. Once he heard that, there was no internal conflict.
There are 7 stages of grief, one being anger. Richard had kept so much anger bottled up inside him - both at himself and his granddad - that Rikki had grown with his mind filled with all the fury. At the end, it could have been his granddad's ghost talking to him; likewise it could have been his brain as that was what he needed to hear.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a story about friendship and growing up, entwined with a deeper message of a boy who deeply misses his granddad.
July 16, 2013
Review from my blog: The Word Fiend
Rating: 6
The second I read the back cover blurb for The Boy With Two Heads I was hooked – there were just so many possibilities for this story and I knew I had to read it. The book didn't quite live up to my expectations, but its central themes of friendship and acceptance are important and well-handled.
The Boy With Two Heads starts at a great pace – Richard Westlake wakes up one morning with a suspicious lump in his throat and is rushed off to hospital. The lump continues to grow and the reader is caught in breathless anticipation as one of the doctors announces that it is a second head, and that it's developing at a rapid rate. I was swept up by the beginning of The Boy With Two Heads – the excitement of the unknown and the undercurrent of menace coming from the doctors promised a thrilling adventure. Unfortunately I found that the central portion of the book dropped the ball. The pacing slowed to a crawl and the charged atmosphere that Mulligan had created in the beginning was nowhere to be seen. There was a rekindling of that spark that had initially caught my interest towards the end of the book which went some way towards redeeming the story.
The lead characters in most Young Adult fiction are in their mid-to-late teens, so it was a bit of an adjustment reading about a group of eleven-year-olds. They're interesting characters, but I think I'm just a bit too old to connect with that age group and that affected my enjoyment of the book as a whole. Richard is a quiet, well-mannered boy and the contrast between him and Rikki, his second head, is marked. Where Richard just wants to get along with people, Rikki seems hell-bent on destroying his friendships and reputation. It was interesting to watch the relationship between Richard and Rikki as it initially worsened and then began to heal as the two parts came to terms with one another.
The Boy With Two Heads is essentially a book about accepting who you are and the nature of friendship. It has an important message for young people and I think I may be just a bit too old to have appreciated it fully.
Rating: 6
The second I read the back cover blurb for The Boy With Two Heads I was hooked – there were just so many possibilities for this story and I knew I had to read it. The book didn't quite live up to my expectations, but its central themes of friendship and acceptance are important and well-handled.
The Boy With Two Heads starts at a great pace – Richard Westlake wakes up one morning with a suspicious lump in his throat and is rushed off to hospital. The lump continues to grow and the reader is caught in breathless anticipation as one of the doctors announces that it is a second head, and that it's developing at a rapid rate. I was swept up by the beginning of The Boy With Two Heads – the excitement of the unknown and the undercurrent of menace coming from the doctors promised a thrilling adventure. Unfortunately I found that the central portion of the book dropped the ball. The pacing slowed to a crawl and the charged atmosphere that Mulligan had created in the beginning was nowhere to be seen. There was a rekindling of that spark that had initially caught my interest towards the end of the book which went some way towards redeeming the story.
The lead characters in most Young Adult fiction are in their mid-to-late teens, so it was a bit of an adjustment reading about a group of eleven-year-olds. They're interesting characters, but I think I'm just a bit too old to connect with that age group and that affected my enjoyment of the book as a whole. Richard is a quiet, well-mannered boy and the contrast between him and Rikki, his second head, is marked. Where Richard just wants to get along with people, Rikki seems hell-bent on destroying his friendships and reputation. It was interesting to watch the relationship between Richard and Rikki as it initially worsened and then began to heal as the two parts came to terms with one another.
The Boy With Two Heads is essentially a book about accepting who you are and the nature of friendship. It has an important message for young people and I think I may be just a bit too old to have appreciated it fully.
June 29, 2016
Concept itself was quite fascinating: "Two heads are always better than one - isn't that how the saying goes? Well that's not how Richard feels, when he wakes up to discover he's grown a second head." I think it was well-written, at times dark, at times funny, yet it was a bit confusing and it seemed to be missing the point somehow? Or I don't know if it was because of the two heads. Also, I guess I expected something else from the plot and the ending.
(Mulligan's Trash was far better.)
2,5/5
(Mulligan's Trash was far better.)
2,5/5
February 27, 2017
A bit heavy for 8-12 year olds in my opinion. Some bad language, outrageous comments and violent behaviour with mentions of suicide. Not humorous either. A gritty read i'd probably single out for some older lads but doubt i'd put it in a primary school library.
I expected more out of the friendship angle. i liked the grandad connection and some of the story was gripping, but overall it wasn't what i wished for from possibilities within the concept.
I expected more out of the friendship angle. i liked the grandad connection and some of the story was gripping, but overall it wasn't what i wished for from possibilities within the concept.
dnf
January 7, 2023DNF @44%
I liked the concept, but I didn't like this book. I can't say why exactly, but it just didn't sit right with me. And it very much bothered me that these 11-year olds sound like they're 17 or something :'))
I liked the concept, but I didn't like this book. I can't say why exactly, but it just didn't sit right with me. And it very much bothered me that these 11-year olds sound like they're 17 or something :'))
Read
March 31, 2020friendship is in acceptance
March 30, 2014
Two heads are always better than one – isn't that how the saying goes? Well that's not how Richard feels, when he wakes up to discover he's grown a second head. Still grieving the loss of his beloved grandfather, Richard is shocked. At first his parents say get rid of it, but the specialist they consult wants to study Richard and convinces them to keep it.
It wouldn't be so bad if the second head was as calm and reasonable as Richard, but he isn't. Rude, rebellious and difficult, Rikki makes Richard's life impossible. On the football pitch, they're brilliant, working together to score goal after goal. But at home and at school they're in constant opposition and when Rikki sabotages the school debate on live television, he launches them on a rollercoaster journey to self destruction. Rikki is rude to Richard’s friends and causes Richard to be suspended from school. When all decide that Rikki has to go, Richard won’t let it happen, despite their differences. They escape from the specialist’s clinic with the help of friends and follow a class trip into bush – taking their gear but hiding with the help of a teacher. The head (we discover) is the manifestation of Richard’s guilt from when his grandfather died from a heart attack in his arms. The ghost of his grandfather returns and helps relieve Rikki from Richard’s life forever.
On the run from the sinister Dr Warren, the two heads are forced to work together. Fleeing to the mountains of Wales, they're pursued to the top of the highest peak by a crack team of commandoes. Only a miracle can save them...
It wouldn't be so bad if the second head was as calm and reasonable as Richard, but he isn't. Rude, rebellious and difficult, Rikki makes Richard's life impossible. On the football pitch, they're brilliant, working together to score goal after goal. But at home and at school they're in constant opposition and when Rikki sabotages the school debate on live television, he launches them on a rollercoaster journey to self destruction. Rikki is rude to Richard’s friends and causes Richard to be suspended from school. When all decide that Rikki has to go, Richard won’t let it happen, despite their differences. They escape from the specialist’s clinic with the help of friends and follow a class trip into bush – taking their gear but hiding with the help of a teacher. The head (we discover) is the manifestation of Richard’s guilt from when his grandfather died from a heart attack in his arms. The ghost of his grandfather returns and helps relieve Rikki from Richard’s life forever.
On the run from the sinister Dr Warren, the two heads are forced to work together. Fleeing to the mountains of Wales, they're pursued to the top of the highest peak by a crack team of commandoes. Only a miracle can save them...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
Great book that I think would translate well to Y9 students, appreciating of course that the protagonists are just 11 years old. The grittiness of the text and reference to certainly elevate to to a higher age range and conversely remove it from the pre-intermediate level.
Re-read for 2020.
Re-read for 2020.
September 13, 2015
This book was great. I just wished there were more after the ending because it could have went on. I was not sure if Richard or Rickie died.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2022
TW: Suicide attempts
Following the story of Richard and Rikki was a ride. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. At first I didn't know where the story would take me, but I didn't get disappointed. At around the half, I read it in one go. There is action and a deep topic that the story is build on. What I also enjoyed a lot is the book giving you a lot of room for interpretation.
The main character
Richard is the main character, who develops a second head, who identifies as Rikki. For me, Rikki symbolised depression. All the anger at the world and this rationality and hopelessness. Suffering from depression myself, Richard and Rikki resonated with me. It's like those two personalities inside of you, one that is nice and the person everyone knows and the other full of anger and self-dustructiveness in a way. I know what that feels like. But the transformation he has along the story shows growth.
My reading experience
I had a little trouble putting the story in what time it took place. But it didn't decrease the joy I had reading. The story really sucked me in and there were some dialogue scenes that made me laugh. Some parts seemed a little unrealistic for me, but that might be because I am outside of the targeted age group. And although I normally don't cry at books, this ending really got me as I lost my grandfather too almost two years ago and couldn't properly say goodbye. So props for that.
Conclusio
The book is best suited for a younger audience; approx. 12 - 16. It is a story packed with action and anger, a good story arch, and relatable characters. All in all a good book, highlighting the importance of friendships and how hard it can be to say farewell.
Following the story of Richard and Rikki was a ride. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. At first I didn't know where the story would take me, but I didn't get disappointed. At around the half, I read it in one go. There is action and a deep topic that the story is build on. What I also enjoyed a lot is the book giving you a lot of room for interpretation.
The main character
Richard is the main character, who develops a second head, who identifies as Rikki. For me, Rikki symbolised depression. All the anger at the world and this rationality and hopelessness. Suffering from depression myself, Richard and Rikki resonated with me. It's like those two personalities inside of you, one that is nice and the person everyone knows and the other full of anger and self-dustructiveness in a way. I know what that feels like. But the transformation he has along the story shows growth.
My reading experience
I had a little trouble putting the story in what time it took place. But it didn't decrease the joy I had reading. The story really sucked me in and there were some dialogue scenes that made me laugh. Some parts seemed a little unrealistic for me, but that might be because I am outside of the targeted age group. And although I normally don't cry at books, this ending really got me as I lost my grandfather too almost two years ago and couldn't properly say goodbye. So props for that.
Conclusio
The book is best suited for a younger audience; approx. 12 - 16. It is a story packed with action and anger, a good story arch, and relatable characters. All in all a good book, highlighting the importance of friendships and how hard it can be to say farewell.
July 31, 2019
So while I really liked the book I felt it ended with things unresolved. Rikki, in my opinion, represents the out of control feelings most middle school students experience and it's good to have books that kids can relate to and know they are not alone. I loved that the book was not predictable in any way and kept me on my toes.
May 4, 2023
This is a toughie. I loved the dark concept and think it had some really great parts, especially when it reminded me of the hopeless tale of the Baudelaires. However, some of the things the Rikki head said and the words he used made me very uncomfortable. I know this was kind of the point but I don’t think it could have been published like this in 2023.
July 22, 2017
Enjoyed it as much as I expected. Great storyline. I appreciated the anger in the story as you do when you've experienced grief. Would read to my Y7-8 (NZ) class, but not younger than that. The deep emotion expressed and language are both fairly mature in my view.
May 28, 2018
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2021
A great time.
January 13, 2024
This book is absolutely amazing i would definitely recommend it.
I can not believe that the author came to my school!!!!!!!
I can not believe that the author came to my school!!!!!!!
March 16, 2025
This book is honestly not that bad in anyway but it’s not really my vibe. It’s depressing and not a very light read. Would not recommend for a light summer read!
May 26, 2025
Marvelous! Why don't I read kid's books all the time!
August 18, 2013
The boy with two heads is a story about a once normal boy named Richard that grows an annoying, mischievous and overpowering second head. Richards second head Rikki makes all Richards friends hate him, his best friend becomes his enemy. Rikki makes Richard do many violent and irresponsible things, almost getting them expelled from school multiple times. Dr Warren had been watching Rikki for a long time and brought them in to his hospital. Dr Warren and Dr Summersby want to take out Rikkis brain to conduct some tests, but this would be fatal for both Rikki and Richard. Eric, Richards long time friend rescues Rikki, Richard and their old teacher Mr Barlow from the mental hospital. They trek out into the mountains of whales where they find their friends on a school trip. The boys have the military on their tail and almost get caught but Richard and Rikki create a hand glider out of their tent. They then land on a small island where they meet their parents.
The Boy With Two Heads wrote by Andy Mulligan is quite a quick read and is targeted at children ages 9-14. I found the book very exiting, fast paced and unpredictable making me unable to put it down. The story line was very different, new, interesting and made you feel like you were in the story. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The Boy With Two Heads wrote by Andy Mulligan is quite a quick read and is targeted at children ages 9-14. I found the book very exiting, fast paced and unpredictable making me unable to put it down. The story line was very different, new, interesting and made you feel like you were in the story. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
June 19, 2013
3.5 stars.
With thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
A novel idea for a children's book, with the potential to be very dark. Richard is a normal eleven-year-old who one day begins to grow a second head. It can't be cut off or removed, it has a personality of its own, calls itself Rikki and begins causing trouble in Richard's life.
I wasn't sure where this story would go. Mostly the plot centred on the boys relationship with themselves, their schoolmates and teachers and their grandfather who had died a year previously. The granddad sections were moving and could be quite upsetting for younger readers. The 'adventure' sequence, with chases and survival, will definitely appeal to male readers.
I found the school sections hard to believe. A school of primary-aged children so accepting of a two-headed student? Granted, they knew him , but it seemed unrealistic. As did Richard and Rikki's language - much too mature for his age. Sometimes I also felt a bit of a 'Gollum'
Moment as the two heads talked to each other, the plural "we" sounding just like the Tolkien character.
Overall enjoyable but some aspects didn't ring true. Lots of issues to discuss though with young readers. Did prefer Trash and Ribblestrop but am sure this will find an audience.
With thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
A novel idea for a children's book, with the potential to be very dark. Richard is a normal eleven-year-old who one day begins to grow a second head. It can't be cut off or removed, it has a personality of its own, calls itself Rikki and begins causing trouble in Richard's life.
I wasn't sure where this story would go. Mostly the plot centred on the boys relationship with themselves, their schoolmates and teachers and their grandfather who had died a year previously. The granddad sections were moving and could be quite upsetting for younger readers. The 'adventure' sequence, with chases and survival, will definitely appeal to male readers.
I found the school sections hard to believe. A school of primary-aged children so accepting of a two-headed student? Granted, they knew him , but it seemed unrealistic. As did Richard and Rikki's language - much too mature for his age. Sometimes I also felt a bit of a 'Gollum'
Moment as the two heads talked to each other, the plural "we" sounding just like the Tolkien character.
Overall enjoyable but some aspects didn't ring true. Lots of issues to discuss though with young readers. Did prefer Trash and Ribblestrop but am sure this will find an audience.
September 29, 2015
Finished reading this book yesterday after taking a short break from it.
The book is quite enjoyable, but also very far from believable. Richard, the main character, is an 11 year old boy who experiences grief or loss of someone dear, for the very first time in his life. Not knowing how to handle these emotions, he grows a second head. This second head becomes a more aggressive version of himself, called Rikki. The two must learn to deal with each other and their emotions to get through life, which turns into quite the adventure.
I think the approach of the story is very creative and unique, but I'm just not sure what type of audience the writer wants to reach out to. It's categorised as a children's book, and the main characters are 11 year old children - but the situations they find themselves in, the language they use and the general theme seem far from a children's book.
Reading the first half of the book was great and incredibly inspiring, as I got to the second half I seriously needed a break. The story went all over the place, hopped from character to character, and just in general lost its charm.
My verdict: enjoyable, but could be better in a lot of ways.
The book is quite enjoyable, but also very far from believable. Richard, the main character, is an 11 year old boy who experiences grief or loss of someone dear, for the very first time in his life. Not knowing how to handle these emotions, he grows a second head. This second head becomes a more aggressive version of himself, called Rikki. The two must learn to deal with each other and their emotions to get through life, which turns into quite the adventure.
I think the approach of the story is very creative and unique, but I'm just not sure what type of audience the writer wants to reach out to. It's categorised as a children's book, and the main characters are 11 year old children - but the situations they find themselves in, the language they use and the general theme seem far from a children's book.
Reading the first half of the book was great and incredibly inspiring, as I got to the second half I seriously needed a break. The story went all over the place, hopped from character to character, and just in general lost its charm.
My verdict: enjoyable, but could be better in a lot of ways.
October 27, 2015
Rating: 3/5 stars
Well, the title of the book says it all - imagine having a new head bursting out from your throat within 24 hours and has its own pair of eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a brain of its own. This book tells that of Richard and his daily struggle (that's what it claims, at least).
I think even without the new head, the story would go as fine. It's more of a story of Richard finding own tranquility after a traumatic accident (other than the emergence of the new head), compared to society's response to the 'rare' medical condition (I looked it up, it's non-existence. lol. silly me).
I really want to like this book more. I swear I do, but to me, it's just... plain. The narrative put me off. It's a miss. It doesn't live up to my expectation, unfortunately, although it's very easy, in terms of the language. I was shocked myself I could finish 400 pages within 24 hours - probably a first time for a book I don't particularly enjoy as much.
It's fine, but nothing memorable. Cool concept, although, the narrative could have been made more interesting. Recommended? Not really.
Well, the title of the book says it all - imagine having a new head bursting out from your throat within 24 hours and has its own pair of eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a brain of its own. This book tells that of Richard and his daily struggle (that's what it claims, at least).
I think even without the new head, the story would go as fine. It's more of a story of Richard finding own tranquility after a traumatic accident (other than the emergence of the new head), compared to society's response to the 'rare' medical condition (I looked it up, it's non-existence. lol. silly me).
I really want to like this book more. I swear I do, but to me, it's just... plain. The narrative put me off. It's a miss. It doesn't live up to my expectation, unfortunately, although it's very easy, in terms of the language. I was shocked myself I could finish 400 pages within 24 hours - probably a first time for a book I don't particularly enjoy as much.
It's fine, but nothing memorable. Cool concept, although, the narrative could have been made more interesting. Recommended? Not really.
September 16, 2013
The Boy with Two Heads. 3/5
Andy Mulligan
Two heads are better than one, or is that true? Meet Richard, who wakes up one morning with a second head. It wouldn’t be so awful if Rikki, the other head was as calm and sensible as Richard but of course he isn’t. Rude, evil and with sinister intents Rikki makes Richards life a living nightmare. And when Rikki sabotages the school debate on live television he creates a wave of madness, directed at both of them. On the run from the evil Dr Warren, these two heads are forced to work together, outwitting the best of the best, commandoes, FBI and their parents. Will these two mixed personalities join together to make it to the end?
The Boy With two head is a different type of genre to me. It presented with me different types of humour and action that mixed with the book bringing partly a confusing book that makes sense in the end. The Boy with Two Heads is an epic book, which proved to me to not judge a book by its cover and to choose occasionally books out of your usual genre. - Ben
Andy Mulligan
Two heads are better than one, or is that true? Meet Richard, who wakes up one morning with a second head. It wouldn’t be so awful if Rikki, the other head was as calm and sensible as Richard but of course he isn’t. Rude, evil and with sinister intents Rikki makes Richards life a living nightmare. And when Rikki sabotages the school debate on live television he creates a wave of madness, directed at both of them. On the run from the evil Dr Warren, these two heads are forced to work together, outwitting the best of the best, commandoes, FBI and their parents. Will these two mixed personalities join together to make it to the end?
The Boy With two head is a different type of genre to me. It presented with me different types of humour and action that mixed with the book bringing partly a confusing book that makes sense in the end. The Boy with Two Heads is an epic book, which proved to me to not judge a book by its cover and to choose occasionally books out of your usual genre. - Ben
December 3, 2013
(Rachel) Andy Mulligan is one of those wonderful writers who surprises with every book. His first novel, Ribblestrop, is a gloriously funny and inventive rollercoaster of a book, set in a bizarre boarding school, and filled with anarchic humour. Trash is completely different: a thriller set in the slums of the Philippines, it is fast-paced and exciting but also incredibly moving.
So I wasn’t sure what to expect with his latest, The Boy with Two Heads. At first glance, the idea of an ordinary boy who suddenly grows another head sounds like another comic novel, but while the book is terribly funny, that’s not all there is to it. In fact, The Boy with Two Heads is a novel about grief and loss. Andy Mulligan says, “It’s about that dark place we get trapped in now and then, when security is stripped away. When something happens that makes you wonder if life is worth living.” Of course, it’s also a rollicking adventure.
So I wasn’t sure what to expect with his latest, The Boy with Two Heads. At first glance, the idea of an ordinary boy who suddenly grows another head sounds like another comic novel, but while the book is terribly funny, that’s not all there is to it. In fact, The Boy with Two Heads is a novel about grief and loss. Andy Mulligan says, “It’s about that dark place we get trapped in now and then, when security is stripped away. When something happens that makes you wonder if life is worth living.” Of course, it’s also a rollicking adventure.
July 31, 2022
3,5
Hmmm. don't know, i liked the story overall and enjoyed reading it, but was a bit tired of it at some points after the middle, closer to the end. Hated Rikki as a character really badly most of the book, but in the end he turned out better (i couldn't' understand if the pills were making him so bad or did he just get better?). Also they didn't really explain properly what Dr. Warren and Summersby were doing to animals and what were they trying to hide so bad. Didn't like the football parts that much, was a bit boring to me.
Hmmm. don't know, i liked the story overall and enjoyed reading it, but was a bit tired of it at some points after the middle, closer to the end. Hated Rikki as a character really badly most of the book, but in the end he turned out better (i couldn't' understand if the pills were making him so bad or did he just get better?). Also they didn't really explain properly what Dr. Warren and Summersby were doing to animals and what were they trying to hide so bad. Didn't like the football parts that much, was a bit boring to me.
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August 22, 2015I wanted to like this book. I gathered that it was allegorical before I started reading it but the story was not strong enough to support the deeper meaning behind it. I struggled through to the end but it was not well written and I found it tedious and unrewarding. I read a lot of children's books as I work in a school library and like to be able to recommend books I've actually read myself. I won't be recommending this one.
April 15, 2016
This book wasn't one that I thought I would've liked. But to my suprise it was actually a really good book. It talked about how a kid had another head on his head that was with thin throughout his life. The book was very interesting and it was funny at time but overall a really great book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes funny books but also books that you would not want to put down.
March 21, 2021
This is an excellent book to read with (older) children, to start a discussion about the contrasts between Ricky and Richard. It does mention a few adult themes, but doesn't dwell on them. Ricky is someone who doesn't deal with anger, hurt and rejection well. Whereas Richard was the dream child. It's an amazing journey to find Ricky isn't as bad as he seems and Richard did have a few things to work through himself.
August 25, 2016
The librarian apologised for giving me a children's book but I started it and enjoyed it. I found it a little aggressive at times but I could see the author was trying to build a contrast. I suppose it might help a youngster trying to come to terms with a loss but I had to stretch my imagination to connect with the depth of emotion and the ending.
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October 28, 2016One morning, 11-year-old Richard Westlake wakes up and notices a lump in his throat, just under his skin. His parents rush him to hospital. The lump gets bigger. Doctors take x-rays and panic. Soon, a second head pops out of his neck, looking almost exactly the same as the first, and demands to be called Rikki. This a good book for people who like medical books and and emotional books.
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