Customer Reviews

The Forbidden Experiment: The Story of the Wild Boy of Aveyron

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Before dawn on January 9, 1800, a remarkable creature crept out of the woods near the village of Saint-Sernin in southern France. He was animal in behaviour, human in form, mute, and naked except for the tatters of a shirt. Eight months later, the wild boy of Aveyron was the wonder of Paris. This book is Shattuck's moving account of an untamed boy and the young French doctor who tried to civilize him-a case that has fascinated intellectual and scientific circles for centures. Captivating such diverse thinkers as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Bruno /Bettelheim, and inspiring Francois Truffaut's celebrated film "The Wild Child", the compelling notion of the Noble Savage still haunts our imaginations today. "A touching story, told with insight and compassion...evokes the theme and myth, the fantasy of the flight from society, not only to the woods but deeper into self" - Los Angeles Times Quote. "No one has ever addressed the issues of - freedom, humanity, culture, doubt and wonder-with more intelligence and grace" - The New York Times Quote. I found this to be a fascinating and amazing read.

Before dawn on January 9, 1800, a remarkable creature crept out of the woods near the village of Saint-Sernin in southern France. He was animal in behaviour, human in form, mute, and naked except for the tatters of a shirt. Eight months later, the wild boy of Aveyron was the wonder of Paris. This book is Shattuck's moving account of an untamed boy and the yound french doctor who tried to civilize him-a case that has fascinated intellectual and scientific circles for centures. Captivating such diverse thinkers as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Bruno /Bettelheim, and inspiring Francois Truffaut's celebrated film The Wild Child", the compelling notion of the the Noble Savage still haunts our imaginations today. "A touching story, told with insight and compassion...evokes the thems and myth, the fantasy of the flight from society, not only to the woods vbut deeper into self" - Los Angeles Times Quote. "No one has ever addressed the issues-of freedom, humanity, culture, doubt and wonder-with more intelligence and grace" - The New York Times Quote. I found this to be a fascinating and amazing read.

Gave great insight as to where Maria Montessori got most of her methods. The book explains the experiences Itard had with the 'savage' and one can almost feel his frustration. A few eye opening pages.