1855 on a desert island off the coast of Africa the most audacious experimentever envisaged is about to begin. To settle an argument that has ragedinconclusivel... » 

1855 on a desert island off the coast of Africa the most audacious experimentever envisaged is about to begin. To settle an argument that has ragedinconclusively for decades two scientists dream up an elaborate experiment. Apair of infants one black one white are to be raised on a barren islandexposed to the dangers all around them tended only by a young nurse whosemuteness renders her incapable of influencing them in any way for good or forbad. They will grow up without speech without civilization without punishmentor play. In this primitive environment the children will develop as theirprimitive natures dictate. The question is what will be left when the twelveyears of the experiment are over? Which child will be master and which theslave? For surely one will triumph over the other. Or will they all childrenand scientists alike reap the fruits of breaking the taboo as they discoverlove and loneliness on the wild but beautiful island of Arlinda. «