Henry House’s upbringing is very unusual. He serves as a practice baby borrowed from a local orphanage to train home economics students. The young women in the program take turns acting as Henry’s primary mother under the watchful eye of Martha, the program’s no-nonsense director. Not surprisingly, as he grows up, Henry finds it difficult to have a fulfilling relationship with a woman. Confused by his circumstances, Henry retreats into muteness and is sent to a special school where he develops his artistic skills and his ability to seduce women. Next he heads west and finds a job suited to his artistic ability at the Disney studios. Henry is a complex character. While it is impossible not to feel some sympathy for him, his thoughtless treatment of the many women who seem helplessly attracted to him is appalling.

A unique story full of interesting characters, this novel also provides an entertaining and thought provoking look at the 50s and 60s in America and London.

-Marsha