Savage Girls and Wild Boys: A History of Feral Children. . - Reviews - book review

Contemporary Review, August, 2002

Savage Girls and Wild Boys: A History of Feral Children. Michael Newton. Faber and Faber. [pounds sterling]12.99. 284 pages. ISBN 0-571-20139-3. The subject of 'wild' children has fascinated mankind for centuries. These are children who are brought up by animals in the wild, who are abandoned to live by themselves in a wilderness, or who are isolated by other humans and kept in virtual solitary confinement.

In all cases they grow up without contact with other humans. Such cases make us look again at what it means to be 'human'. This book examines these stories although how the author is able to include 'the nativity of Christ' as one of the 'legendary tales of the hero abandoned at birth and brought up by animals or in isolation' is a mystery. He rightly cites the story of Romulus and Remus with its story of the boys' being suckled by a wolf -- something later shown to be possible. Mr Newton traces his story from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. His deep research and keen interest in the subject make this an enjoyable, and sometimes, disturbing, book. One should add that clergymen should be referred to as 'the Rev. Mr. Singh' and not 'Rev. Singh'. (J.M.)