The CHILDREN'S HOME by British Author Charles Lambert

The CHILDREN's HOME begins with intrigue & mystery but takes a nasty turn.  Charles Lambert (b. Britain 1976) is a prolific writer and recipient of the O'Henry Prize ('08) for his short story collection.  Lambert is a gifted writer but his story becomes muddled and bizarre.  Morgan is the main character who lives as a hermit life in his massie mansion.  The reason for his self-imposed isolation resulted from an accident leaving his face grotesquely disfigured and blind in one eye.  I felt sympathetic towards Morgan.  His monstrous face belies a kind & gentle man who is racked with loneliness.  The accident & his personal history are a mystery until he divulges in a Dr. who came to adminster to the children & befriended Paul.  A steadfast housekeeper, Engle, is the only other adult with whom he interacts.  Engle cooks, cleans & cares for Morgan & the children.  Shortly after her arrival, the 1st of numerous children turn up at the estate where they are well cared for and loved. The relationships between Morgan, the Dr. & the children had me under their spell.  One child, David, is especially precocious & enchanting.  Unfortunately, the plot curdles into a twisted, creepy incredulous series of regrettable events.  David morphs into a leader that is part E.T., prophet & "child of the corn."  The CHILDREN'S HOME began as a gift of love & revelation.  Sadly, the nightmarish & philosophical ending made this a story not worth beginning.