Customer Reviews:
 Good idea that ultimately disappoints March 20, 2001
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I read this book because it was strongly recommended in the press at the time. The idea is a very good one: how does language develop in the absence of appropriate environmental stimulation? (This is an important topic in the psychology of language; to the author's great credit, relevant work is discussed in an entertaining way.) The protagonist carries out an experiment on his children to discover what happens.Unfortunately, the novel is let down by gratuitous sex and violence: rather like early Ian Banks gone mad. I often found myself wondering what Colin Wilson could have done with this idea. Nevertheless, the book is entertaining and easy to read. Give it a go.
 Disturbing June 8, 2000
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having picked up 'The Dumb House' in a shop one day, I was intrigued by the plot description inside the front cover, so I chose to give it a go.The book was initially quite difficult for me to get into, as the language is rather poetic in places. However, once I'd overcome this barrier, I read it really quickly. The main character, Luke, is very disturbing indeed - he is a cold, calculating madman who experiments on his own children and has no qualms about murder and violence in order to further his 'research'. The novel is very dark and in places very graphic, and you can't help but think - are there really people like this in the world? I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the nature of language or just wants to read an unusual genre of novel.
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