This is one bizarre book. I found myself caught up in the implausible plot with all its twists and turns. The writing isn't all that good. The characters are not well-developed. Everyone is wounded - even Daniel, the perfect angel child. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfactory. ( )

This novel has an interesting premise and an unlikely set of coincidences that leads to an unusual resolution. It begins with a teenager giving birth as a result of a brutal rape, which, combined with the death of her mother, causes her to become mute. The House of Gentle Men is a haven of sorts for men with pasts that haunt them and vulnerable women who need to regain their faith and trust in men. ( )