A fictional account of the life and death of Edward Mordake.
Edward Mordake was reportedly the 19th century heir to an English peerage. He supposedly had an extra face on the back of his head, which could neither eat nor speak, although it could laugh and cry. Edward begged doctors to have his "demon head" removed, because, supposedly, it whispered Satanist language to him at night, but no doctor would attempt it. He committed suicide at the age of 23.
It is difficult to establish the facts behind Edward Mordake's condition due to the lack of reliable medical records. Not even his date of birth and death are recorded and there are conflicting accounts regarding his suicide, as well as placement and position of his extra face. Much of what is known is based on oral retelling. (Taken from Wikipedia).
The novel is set in modern day England and depicts Edward as a shy, house-bound young man who cares for his ill mother but whom, one day whilst shopping, meets a girl in red trainers. A relationship begins.
