Items related to The Dumb House
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 aquired. As the year passed and the chidren 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 possibilites 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 chidren 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.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Compelling reading" (Scotsman)
"A wonderfully disturbing book - chillingly focused and lyrically amoral with moments of remarkable stillness and beauty. A poetic novel in the best and most troubling sense" (A. L. Kennedy)
"Burnside's prose is exquisite and he dissects his themes with delicacy to produce a novel resonant with poetic menace" (Sunday Times)
"An exceptionally sinister book... It is the story of Luke, whose experiments into the nature of human language are recounted with all the beguiling reasonableness of the highly intelligent madman... The horror is tempered and fine-tuned by the exceptional beauty of Burnside's writing... In Luke, Burnside has produced one of the most chilling voices in recent fiction" (Times Literary Supplement)
"My favourite book of the year" (Jen Campbell’s vlog)
Book Description:
"A wonderfully disturbing book - chillingly focused and lyrically amoral with moments of remarkable stillness and beauty. A poetic novel in the best and most troubling sense" (A. L. Kennedy)
"Burnside's prose is exquisite and he dissects his themes with delicacy to produce a novel resonant with poetic menace" (Sunday Times)
"An exceptionally sinister book... It is the story of Luke, whose experiments into the nature of human language are recounted with all the beguiling reasonableness of the highly intelligent madman... The horror is tempered and fine-tuned by the exceptional beauty of Burnside's writing... In Luke, Burnside has produced one of the most chilling voices in recent fiction" (Times Literary Supplement)
"My favourite book of the year" (Jen Campbell’s vlog)
John Burnside's first novel, his profoundly disturbing and beautifully written story of scientific curiosity gone awry
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherVintage
- Publication date1998
- ISBN 10 0099582716
- ISBN 13 9780099582717
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages208
- Rating
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Dumb House
Published by
Vintage Publishing, United Kingdom, London
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0099582716
ISBN 13: 9780099582717
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 4
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. 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 aquired. As the year passed and the chidren 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 possibilites 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 chidren 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 book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR001742550
Buy Used
£ 3.36
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Dumb House
Published by
Vintage Books
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0099582716
ISBN 13: 9780099582717
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1712662532. 4/9/2024 11:35:32 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780099582717
Buy Used
£ 3.34
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Dumb House
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Inscription on the first page, typically just a name but may include a dedication or a brief personal message. Seller Inventory # CHL9575784
Buy Used
£ 1.56
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Dumb House
Published by
Penguin Random House
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0099582716
ISBN 13: 9780099582717
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP9171396
Buy Used
£ 3.76
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Dumb House
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # mon0001929780
Buy Used
£ 3.35
Convert currency