The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

Published by

Sarah Ann

on

March 16, 2010

The Dogs of Babel is the first book by Carolyn Parkhurst, and also one of my favorite novels.

Paul Iverson is a linguistics professor. One day, his wife Lexy accidentally falls off a ladder while picking fruit from one of their trees, and dies. Their dog, Lorelei, is the only witness.

Feeling extremely sad and distressed, Paul becomes obsessed with teaching Lorelei how to talk so he can learn more about what happened the day his wife died. As the story unfolds, Paul discovers various “clues” around the house that make Lexy’s death appear more like a suicide than an accident.

There’s an interesting part of the book where Paul becomes involved with a crazy cult-like group that takes extreme measures to make dogs talk like humans—such as putting them through surgery to reshape their jaws.

The story in The Dogs of Babel is wildly original. Throughout the book, it becomes obvious through Paul’s memories of Lexy that she was moody, impulsive, and most likely clinically depressed. The clues point toward bipolar disorder, so suicide isn’t totally out of the question.

I LOVE The Dogs of Babel because it’s unpredictable and its plot is so unique. I’ve never read a book quite it. I was glued from start to finish. It’s been sticking in my mind since I read it and I’m sure it’ll stick in your head, too.

Carolyn Parkhurst has also written:

What did you think about The Dogs of Babel? What else have you read by Carolyn Parkhurst?

Last Updated on February 23, 2026 by Sarah Ann

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