The Fifth Child

ig its good. idk its not my type of book, im reading it cus i have to lol

Came whole

Once again Doris Lessing reveals that she is a master of storytelling. I really appreciate how she lets character develop as a result of action and circumstances. This is a disturbing novel but not really a horror story as some may have described it. It is the story of family and friends, the social fabric of life, and how the entry of something unexpected, challenging, dark and maybe even evil may unravel and tear that fabric. The unexpected may make some family members draw closer and others to draw away. This is the story of a large extended family with strong social bonds and family values are challenged by the birth of a child that is almost Neanderthal and certainly dangerous. A young married couple wishes to have a large family of 8 children and live in a large Victorian mansion but the dream becomes a nightmare when the fifth child is born and all bets are off and all relationships become ambiguous. I would love to see a good film-maker take this short novel and turn it into a motion picture. It is not supernatural, like Rosemary's Baby, but is more subtle as it explores what we do and don't know about those we love and are closest to us in our lives. When a child, such as Ben, enters a family, it is totally realistic to propose that one parent, the mother, is totally focused on this odd child while the other parent, the father, is more concerned with the well being of the other four older children. Both are noble instincts yet this clash of values may subtly undermine a marriage. On a larger scale, this very short novel (which can be read in 4 hours) is a parable about any unexpected life event that may tear the social fabric of our lives. Thus, the evil child Ben, could have been a proxy for mental illness, or domestic violence, or cancer, or a host of challenges that enter our lives and redefine us and pull us toward some loved ones and push us from others. This is an excellent book that is highly recommended.

War ein Geschenk, gerne wieder

Harriet and David are outsiders when they meet, with different views on life to those around them, and very different aspirations for their futures. They fall in love and marry because they want the same as each other, in a world where nobody else does. Their dreams are for a large family, a happy home where everyone feels welcome, and a peaceful uncomplicated life. This simple dream comes true until the birth of their fifth child, when everything changes. This new child does not fit in with their plans, he physically and mentally defies their beliefs. As time goes on a mechanism for coping is found, but at what cost... If you have read other Lessing books, you will recognise one of her favourite themes in 'The fifth child'. That is, her question - Why do we assume that certain things are our right to have? And more importantly, how do we cope when faced with the truth, that sometimes it is not within our power to choose our destiny? That is not to say that a reader new to Lessing will not understand or enjoy this book. Simply but intelligently written, it is unputdownable and thought provoking. A good read.