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haazex's review
4.0
This was my first book by the famed Lessing. It focuses on the relationship of a poor couple eeking out a living on a farm in South Africa. When I first started out on this book I was convinced that the story would focus on Apartheid in South Africa. There are different elements of these aspects in the book, but I did not find that race was the main topic. To my surprise the core of the book is about something completely different (from my perspective) in terms of life paths, dreams and expectations versus the brute force of reality. There is also a perception of the power of the past and the present reflected in the characters of Moses and Mary. It seems to me that the novel is a study of sanity in the face of those forces. The true main character is the landscape, the unrelenting flow of time and seasons in the African grasslands under which both human structures and minds crumble. I found myself quite a bit fascinated by the unfolding of the story. The part I am particularly drawn to is when Lessing muses about the South African landscape, the colors of the sky and light, as she embraces the reader with the sounds of insects and scents of dust and flowers. The heat of the world is apparently relentless warping the perception of goals and dreams. Mary's crumbling existence and psyche are depicted in a way that makes me feel uneasy, but allows us to connect to reality. A great read making me interested in other works by Lessing.
bhaines's review against another edition
good. the first half was one of the most relatable character portraits I've read. the second half is very different but also good. how something can completely fall apart, stuck under the hot metal roof with nothing to do forever. the movie Wake in Fright reminded me of it.
a relationship of any kind between whites and blacks is unthinkable. Society relies on it being impossible to consider it. the actual relationship is confusing and vague in some ways, but maybe inevitably
a relationship of any kind between whites and blacks is unthinkable. Society relies on it being impossible to consider it. the actual relationship is confusing and vague in some ways, but maybe inevitably
ladybirder's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bertinat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
katski's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
faithini's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Honesty oozes out of this Lessing's work. The way Doris Lessing humanizes the characters and explores the concepts of fear and prejudices is truly masterful and disturbing.
kito's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5