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katiealex72's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Ableism
astridmalmhester's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical trauma, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Child abuse, Drug use, and Misogyny
oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rating this a 4 only because it is so well-written. The otherwise bland characters come alive under Lessing's pen. So much to dislike in this story- to start, the characters turn out to be vapid and ableist. Which is not at all surprising considering this novel tows the cisgender white public opinion of the mid-60s. The horror in this book is simply that one's life may not turn out as planned, and that things may cease to be in your control- i.e. parenthood. By the end I just felt horribly sad for Ben.
Doris Lessing- ma'am shook the table with this one. She truly let the characters actions/words speak for themselves- rather than condemning or framing our thoughts about them as readers. I am sure for the target reader, The Fifth Child would have had a different effect. The target reader might reflect on how they treat those who are different than them, especially children that they don't understand. They may reflect on their notions of married life and what makes a good marriage. They may also reflect on parenthood and the ever-present genetic shuffle. They might even reflect on motherhood and the not-so-pretty experiences of child-rearing, that are actually very real to so many women across time.
If you're someone looking to make those reflections, or at least similar ones, I highly recommend you read this.
Doris Lessing- ma'am shook the table with this one. She truly let the characters actions/words speak for themselves- rather than condemning or framing our thoughts about them as readers. I am sure for the target reader, The Fifth Child would have had a different effect. The target reader might reflect on how they treat those who are different than them, especially children that they don't understand. They may reflect on their notions of married life and what makes a good marriage. They may also reflect on parenthood and the ever-present genetic shuffle. They might even reflect on motherhood and the not-so-pretty experiences of child-rearing, that are actually very real to so many women across time.
If you're someone looking to make those reflections, or at least similar ones, I highly recommend you read this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Confinement, Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Excrement, and Racial slurs
singalana's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Animal death, Ableism, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
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