The book’s length and its surfeit of any chapters or breaks is something to think about, b
The book’s length and its surfeit of any chapters or breaks is something to think about, because not 30 pages in you have an argument occurring between like nine people, and you have to assume it was done on purpose. The love story and first four pregnancies happen maybe in the first 50 pages? It has a very rushed feel to it and I’m not sure how much I liked it. Very very traditional story arc. The mother’s relationship with the problem child does not feel entirely clear, because very regular she shows hate and wish for it to die but then suddenly wants it back when it’s sent away and no longer wants it to die? I just finished reading this book and the more I think about it the more it feels underdeveloped. Interesting enough idea, a little less than par in execution. It ends, and it’s unclear why it ends, it just ends with an empty thought that any character could have at any moment, it feels like Doris locked herself in a room with really boring characters and just sort of tossed this out to the world and is blaming it on them. -- source link
#doris lessing#fifth child#review