Comments on: The Fifth Child – Doris Lessing (1988)

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:53:53 +0000

You’re so right, Mae, I think she is fascinating. There are so many strings to her authorial bow!

By: Mae

Mae — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:35:48 +0000

This sounds so interesting. I’m going to hunt it out now. I’ve just started reading Doris Lessing although they are her short stories – To Room Nineteen. She’s a fascinating writer.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:37:47 +0000

Jackie, yes, I see what you mean about his behaviour, but my copy had review quotes that made it clear it was a type of horror novel so the extremes of his behaviour didn’t seem outlandish in context.

It does raise an interesting question, which I’m not sure I could answer, not least because I don’t have any children.

Incindentally, Kim, I came across a second hand copy of Ben in the World the other day, and snapped it up, but I’m still not sure if I want to read it… I’ve heard very conflicting opinions on whether it’s any good or not, and although I know I should make up my own mind… meeeh. I don’t know. I don’t know!

By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:38:09 +0000

I enjoyed reading this book, but found Ben’s behaviour to be unbelievable. I then discovered that this is supposed to be a horror book, taking the problems of motherhood to the extreme. It raises an interesting question about whether you should concentrate your resources on the child that needs help at the expense of your other children. I really should read more of her books.

By: Simon (Savidge Reads)

Simon (Savidge Reads) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:22:35 +0000

I must, must, must give Lessing a try at some point. (I think) I have a copy of The Grass is Singing though I really want to read the bizarrely brilliant sounding one where she re-writes the lives of their parents as if they had never met and what would have happened, sounds unusual.

By: Push – Sapphire (1996) » Other Stories

Push – Sapphire (1996) » Other Stories — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:45:15 +0000

[...] book, another set of odd links that pop up at you when you least expect it. Yesterday I was talking about my discomfort at the repeated use of the word ‘mongol’ to describe [...]

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:30:45 +0000

I know what you mean kimbofo. I saw that there was a sequel and while part of me is curious about what happens to Ben (and the family) I’m not quite sure if I have the stomach to actually read it…

By: kimbofo

kimbofo — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:52:06 +0000

I read this a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, if “enjoy” is the right word to use. There’s a follow up to it called “Ben in the World” but I haven’t quite been able to bring myself to read it.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:27:22 +0000

Thanks Jen. I do actually have a copy of Martha Quest somewhere in Mount TBR. I’ve also been recommended her Canopus in Argos: Archives series.

By: Jentastic

Jentastic — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:26:51 +0000

Doris Lessing is great. Although I do find her quite hard to pin down in some respects. Which is interesting.

I haven’t read The Fifth Child, but I’m really enjoying the ‘Children of Violence’ sequence, which starts with Martha Quest. At times it makes for uncomfortable reading, but is very good, I’d really recommend it.