Book Report: Midget

Midget
By Tim Bowler

Book Description:
A unique and unnerving story about Midget - fifteen years old, three feet tall, and target of his older brother's bullying and cruelty. Midget dreams of buying a boat and sailing away, but people say it'll take a miracle for that to happen. Midget knows miracles can happen, but sometimes they hurt people who get in the way . . .

First paragraph:

The voice hissed into his ear.
"So you managed to sneak out again. And have another little look at what you know you can't have. What a pointless exercise."
There was no need to turn to know who it was. No need to try and run.
No point in running.


On my paperback copy of Midget, there is no book description, only two reviews. The first is from The Horn Book: 'The writing is piercingly direct in this psychological thriller about a physically handicapped boy who, after years of stealth and sadistic abuse by his older brother, finally wreaks his revenge...'

Those four hints had me tossing onto my pile immediately, without further question. After I got it home, I looked at the filing categories and it is listed under: 1. Physically handicapped--fiction. 2. Brothers--fiction. 3. Emotional problems--fiction.

Score.

Midget is indeed about an undersized teenager, though his problems go far beyond his height. Midget (a derogatory nickname that he no longer bothers to deny) also cannot talk, and suffers from some type of seizure and blackout, most often brought on by the presence of his older brother, Seb. Seb is perhaps Midget's biggest problem, with stealthy night attacks and physical abuse and relentless, utterly cruel taunting. The boy's father is unaware of Seb's dark side--a blind optimistic who only sees a devoted, loving older brother and a moody, angry handicapped timebomb. Midget and Seb's mother died giving birth to Midget, and this is a great source of hatred for Seb, who openly vows to get 'revenge' on Midget. The only joy Midget has in his life is the local marina, where he goes to sit and look at the boats and watch the water.

When Midget starts pining for a small sailboat that appears to have been abandoned, half-finished, Seb uses it as fodder for his teasing. However, the foreman of the boatyard notices, and after a time invites Midget for a closer look. The boat has not been abandoned, but is being built by Old Joesph, a rambling old man with a severe heart problem, not long for this world. Joesph has just been released from the hospital and is alive for just enough time to finish the boat and have a conversation with Midget--talking to Midget in a way no one else will, as if he is just a normal boy. Entranced by this crazy old man, Midget quickly forms a bond with the man, and takes his words to heart.

"Oh, I know." The old man held up a gnarled finger, splotched with yellow paint. "You're thinkin' miracles 'as got to be on the outside. Well, they is, eventually. But they start inside. You build 'em in your boatyard--" He tapped his head again. "You see 'em good, want 'em good, believe in 'em good." The ancient face seemed to light up. "Then you launch your miracle boats down the slipway an' they sail into your life."

It is through this advice that Midget discovers something within himself--the power to make things happen. With concentration, he forms a picture in his mind and concentrates on every detail, and when it is complete, it plays out in real life. They are his miracles, and they are the start of something big.

However, the next day, Midget goes to visit Joesph and arrives just in time for some final words and a last breath. Midget feels the loss profoundly.

But Old Joesph, perhaps not as crazy as everyone thought he was, leaves Midget the boat in his hastily-written will. It is a miracle--what Midget has been praying for--and finally, he has a bit of freedom. They are a family of boaters, and no longer will Seb be the golden child of the marina. Together with the Miracle Man (perhaps the only 'male' boat), Midget proves himself an even better boater than his brother.

Between the increasing hostility from Seb, and the increasing power of his mental power, things only get worse for Midget and the climax is tense and cliffy, as there is no easy way out for Midget. And shouldn't all protags be pushed to the limits?

"Remember, some folk are real good at miracles. They can make 'em happen right away." The eyes darkened like wind over the sea. "But there's good miracles an' bad miracles. So make sure the Skipper's 'appy with what you want."

Midget stared down, trying not to believe what was happening. But the voice was growing weaker and he knew it would not be long.
"If you want a bad miracle... 'an you see it good... 'an you believe in it good--then you'll get it. Only somethin' else comes with it."
The old man took a long, slow breath.
"Evil comes with it."

Three and a half stars out of Five