Bringing the tragedy of mental retardation to the printed page is difficult. Only the simplest truth is needed, and yet nothing that is said ever seems quite enough. Through the wry, sensitive Neil Comstock, Kin Platt says more than anybody so far, and he says it with gentleness and guts.

["Hey, Dummy"] begins with a three-man football game in which the Dummy becomes unwittingly involved when he picks up the stray ball. Boyish violence ensues, leaving Neil disturbed. "Thinking about that Dummy just lying there and saying 'Aaaah' after I hit him, ruined my game."

Neil's involvement with the Dummy increases….

[Soon Neil] is attempting to look at the world as the Dummy does. He tries to put himself into Alan's skin….

The build-up to the final tragedy is slow and sure. A young girl is attacked in the park, and the Dummy becomes the target of mob...