In Persian myth, it is said that Akbar the Great once built a palace which he filled with newborn children, attended only by mutes, in order to learn whether language is innate or acquired. As the year passed and the children grew into their silent and difficult world, this palace became known as the Gang Mahal, or Dumb House. In his first novel, John Burnside explores the possibilities inherent in a modern-day repetition of Akbar`s investigations. Following the death of his mother, the unnamed narrator creates a twisted varient of the Dumb House, finally using his own children as subjects in a bizarre experiment. When the children develop a musical language of their own, however, their gaoler is the one who is excluded, and he extracts an appalling revenge.
THE DUMB HOUSE
John Burnside
It opens with a line you’ll have to read twice. And even then you still won’t know what lies ahead of you in this very short, very loud book.
I’m not sure if this is a horror book or simply a macabre literary piece of fiction. It’s one of my favorite books yet has under 3000 ratings and only about 500 reviews. It was published in 1998. It’s under 200 pages and it’s rich content.
Let’s talk about it.
We’re introduced to our main character with our eyes fully open. There isn’t much hidden. He is easily one of the most disturbed characters I’ve ever read.
As a reader, you know more than you want to and are privy to unforgettable details that will stick with you beyond your finishing the book.
As disturbing as the material is-it is doubly inspiring to read. There is an art to what Burnside does and it’s incredible to experience it.
You’ll wish it was longer!
THE DUMBHOUSE…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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