A while back someone told me about this site India Book Store. I am kidding my husband told me about it. Because we are ordering books every week. If not for me then someone else and yes comparing prices seemed like his IIT mind’s way to save us some money 🙂 Moving on. Of course like everytime I went in search of their blog. Which by the way goes by the name of Bookish. And then there was no looking back. Every time they uploaded a post and I got a notification I quickly went to read it. Entertaining, informational and always giving you a feeling of it being written by a bibliophile.
Well so much from my side, now in their own words, “IndiaBookStore is a
Book Search Engine which helps you find the cheapest deals when you buy books.
We are book lovers ourselves; we define ourselves as ‘Of the Bookish, By the
Bookish, For the Bookish.’ Hoping to see you guys at our blog and of course for best deals at our homepage https://www.indiabookstore.net/ .”
Book Search Engine which helps you find the cheapest deals when you buy books.
We are book lovers ourselves; we define ourselves as ‘Of the Bookish, By the
Bookish, For the Bookish.’ Hoping to see you guys at our blog and of course for best deals at our homepage https://www.indiabookstore.net/ .”
Now handing over the baton to the very wordy Mugdha to review one of her reads.
* * *
What makes a writer truly great? What makes
him or her stand out as a pioneer, in their own time and even after?
him or her stand out as a pioneer, in their own time and even after?
I’d say: the propensity to challenge the
morality of their age. To raise questions, to point readers in a radically new
direction. To make them understand the world, and themselves, better. To open
the doors of their minds.
morality of their age. To raise questions, to point readers in a radically new
direction. To make them understand the world, and themselves, better. To open
the doors of their minds.
Doris Lessing’s The Fifth Child is about a happy family – a couple who have a
common goal and a shared vision of marriage, the home of their dreams, and four
perfect children – whose comfortable placid bourgeois existence comes to a
jarring halt with the birth of the fifth child. The fifth child is a freak of
nature, and one that cannot be defined, making him doubly frightening. He is
not retarded – there is no definition for his ‘condition’. He might best be described
as a throwback, animal in his instincts, primitive in his ways. He is strange, inexplicable,
there is no way to explain exactly what
he is. His siblings, even the pet dog, are wary of him and keep out of his way.
The arrival of this child disrupts the happy family, drives a wedge between
husband and wife, and between the mother and her four children.
common goal and a shared vision of marriage, the home of their dreams, and four
perfect children – whose comfortable placid bourgeois existence comes to a
jarring halt with the birth of the fifth child. The fifth child is a freak of
nature, and one that cannot be defined, making him doubly frightening. He is
not retarded – there is no definition for his ‘condition’. He might best be described
as a throwback, animal in his instincts, primitive in his ways. He is strange, inexplicable,
there is no way to explain exactly what
he is. His siblings, even the pet dog, are wary of him and keep out of his way.
The arrival of this child disrupts the happy family, drives a wedge between
husband and wife, and between the mother and her four children.
And what does she, Harriet, the mother of
this fifth child do?
this fifth child do?
This story is told from Harriet’s
perspective. A woman who wanted only the things that have, for ages, been
considered ‘proper’ for all women to want: a husband, children. And she is perfectly happy having only those
things. The book was written in the 80s, when there was some pressure on women
to ‘want it all’ – a family AND a career. But Harriet eschews the wisdom of the
age, and decides that what she wants
is – just a happy family. And for a long time she gets what she wants. Until
the arrival of Ben, the fifth child.
perspective. A woman who wanted only the things that have, for ages, been
considered ‘proper’ for all women to want: a husband, children. And she is perfectly happy having only those
things. The book was written in the 80s, when there was some pressure on women
to ‘want it all’ – a family AND a career. But Harriet eschews the wisdom of the
age, and decides that what she wants
is – just a happy family. And for a long time she gets what she wants. Until
the arrival of Ben, the fifth child.
The genius of Doris Lessing lies in making
the reader, no matter what their personal beliefs – feminist, traditional,
moderate – identify with Harriet’s dilemma. Throughout the book she is torn
between her love for the rest of her family, and her loyalty – NOT love, mind
you, because she is honest enough to admit that she does not love Ben
(sacrilegious though the notion of a mother not loving her own child is, even
today) – towards her freak son. Even the end of the book brings no closure to
Harriet’s dilemma. There is no solution to her problem. Torn apart by guilt,
love, loyalty, and her inability to reconcile herself to the situation, Harriet
never recovers what she once had, what she lost because she gave birth, against
everyone’s advice, to Ben.
the reader, no matter what their personal beliefs – feminist, traditional,
moderate – identify with Harriet’s dilemma. Throughout the book she is torn
between her love for the rest of her family, and her loyalty – NOT love, mind
you, because she is honest enough to admit that she does not love Ben
(sacrilegious though the notion of a mother not loving her own child is, even
today) – towards her freak son. Even the end of the book brings no closure to
Harriet’s dilemma. There is no solution to her problem. Torn apart by guilt,
love, loyalty, and her inability to reconcile herself to the situation, Harriet
never recovers what she once had, what she lost because she gave birth, against
everyone’s advice, to Ben.
Apart from the themes in the book, and the
questions it brings to the forefront (the responsibilities of maternity, the
expectations society has from mothers, the wisdom of giving birth, to ‘normal’
or ‘not-so-normal’ children), what really got me was how a single sentence of
hers could contain so much more than the sum of its words, just like Hemingway.
Sample, for example, this line:
questions it brings to the forefront (the responsibilities of maternity, the
expectations society has from mothers, the wisdom of giving birth, to ‘normal’
or ‘not-so-normal’ children), what really got me was how a single sentence of
hers could contain so much more than the sum of its words, just like Hemingway.
Sample, for example, this line:
‘She
had not thought of herself as a virgin, if this meant a physiological condition
to be defended, but rather as something like a present wrapped up in layers of
deliciously pretty paper…’
had not thought of herself as a virgin, if this meant a physiological condition
to be defended, but rather as something like a present wrapped up in layers of
deliciously pretty paper…’
With this line, we understand Harriet, her
motives, her longings, and whether we agree with her or not, we get what she’s about. And I, at least,
was angry at Ben, for spoiling Harriet’s happiness. Reading this book, he
seemed to deliberately want to hurt Harriet. He indulged in certain activities
that seemed sadistic and cruel, such as killing animals, and these made me
completely biased against him.
motives, her longings, and whether we agree with her or not, we get what she’s about. And I, at least,
was angry at Ben, for spoiling Harriet’s happiness. Reading this book, he
seemed to deliberately want to hurt Harriet. He indulged in certain activities
that seemed sadistic and cruel, such as killing animals, and these made me
completely biased against him.
And then I read the sequel, Ben, in the World.
The sequel is told from Ben’s perspective,
and herein lies another illustration of Lessing’s genius, in making us
empathise with her characters. Harriet suffered, of course; but so did Ben. He was labeled a ‘freak’ by
society, by his own family, and even by me, the reader of The Fifth Child. But now we see that he will have to endure a
lifetime of dealing with the world; of getting stared at, laughed at, despised,
feared, attacked. That he will, almost certainly, never find love. The best he
can hope for is pity.
and herein lies another illustration of Lessing’s genius, in making us
empathise with her characters. Harriet suffered, of course; but so did Ben. He was labeled a ‘freak’ by
society, by his own family, and even by me, the reader of The Fifth Child. But now we see that he will have to endure a
lifetime of dealing with the world; of getting stared at, laughed at, despised,
feared, attacked. That he will, almost certainly, never find love. The best he
can hope for is pity.
And he has his full life ahead of him. Years
and years of not being understood.
and years of not being understood.
How will he deal with it?
It stunned me, to realize that Ben was, if
not quite human – and it is left ambiguous, exactly what Ben is – a sentient being, a being with feelings,
understanding, and fears. And that I had never thought of things from his
perspective, while reading the first book.
not quite human – and it is left ambiguous, exactly what Ben is – a sentient being, a being with feelings,
understanding, and fears. And that I had never thought of things from his
perspective, while reading the first book.
How often we are like that. Seeing things the
way they appeal to us, never trying to look at the other person’s perspective.
way they appeal to us, never trying to look at the other person’s perspective.
It takes a great book to make us realize how
truly small we are.
truly small we are.
–Written by Mugdha Wagle
* * *
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And now I want to read them ….
😀 😀 Me too!!!
Do, do read these books….. they will blow your mind! Amazing writer, may she rest in peace.
Sounds like fascinating books. Great review. It was well written and concise. ♥
Yes kathy it is true 🙂 it was a very well written review and some very good books I must say 😀
Thanks Kathy! Both books are really great. And what is most amazing about authors like Doris Lessing is that they pick themes that NEVER feel outdated…. so even though these books were written many many years ago, you can still read them today and get enough food for thought.
I can’t believe that I missed reading these, Richa. Must make up now. It’s sad that the author is no more.
Great review, Mugdha.
I too said the same to Mugdha that I am surprised as to how I have missed these 🙂
Thanks Corinne! I would have missed these too, if Lessing hadn’t won the Nobel Prize. When she won it, I read about her online and zeroed in on The Fifth Child to start reading her work.
It’s sad but true that, for people who love reading but aren’t really studying literature in school/college, the chances of missing out on great writing are very high. So when I come across a fantastic author you hadn’t even known about all along, I just feel so thankful!
I quite like this point Mugdha that you have mentioned. If we are not literature students then it does become difficult to find authors… no?
These have been added to my reading list..ASAP!They look so cool and fascinating and I’m always on the hunt for some good reads.
Keep it Touched,
KG
http://www.kgstyleinc.com
Thaks Khloe 🙂 I am very sure it is going to be a great read!
I’ve actually had this book in my hand. This is definitely my sign to read it! Thank you!!
Healthy blessings,
Gena Livings
We always bank on such signs when it comes to book! Makes us thrive on more reading 😀
Wow sounds like great stories. Thanks for sharing
Yes Sara I am very sure you would enjoy each one of them!
The books sound interesting.. thank you for sharing.
I’ve seen her books at the library, but never picked up any of them! Huh! I guess a review always helps 🙂
Yes they do! Now go pick them u quickly off the library 😀
And The Fifth Child is just the right book of Lessing’s to start with. I always think when one is reading an author for the first time, it’s good to start with a short work….. 🙂 otherwise other commitments tend to get in the way of reading!
What a great book, and a great review, thanks so much for sharing it.
Thanks a lot Renee for liking it 🙂
Review wad engaging…that’s the most I can read of d buk for the time being. .my hands r full of books
Really? Share the list! Mommy wants to know 🙂
am reading your novella. completed the seventh chapter. will read 2morrow.
Alrighty 🙂
That looks like a good read. Thanks Mugdha for the review and thanks Richa for bringing this here.
Anytime, and yes it does look like a great read 🙂
Thanks myriadrainbowhues ! Nice name, by the way 🙂
Wow, she actually went ahead and wrote a sequel from the other point of view, now that is some class as a writer !!! Nice review of the book.
Yes Jairam it is because of this that the series looks more complete no?
Absolutely, Jairam, and what’s really amazing is that when you’re reading one book, it is THAT protagonist’s perspective that the reader identifies with. Sheer genius.
An awesome review. I agree. It is the propensity of the writer to challenge the morality of the age.
True Michelle it is and as Mugdha has written it truly shows how much the author has achieved in this respect.
I want to read them too. 🙂 Going in search of them now. 🙂
Same here Jyothi 😀
Hi Jyothi, do get the books soon (the link to compare prices across Indian online bookstores is given just below the review) and share your thoughts on the books.
I have a copy of the fifth child with me. I will read it now. Nice review.
Thanks a lot Sugandha 🙂
Sugandha, after you read the book do leave your comments about it here…..
Looks like a must read! I already have about 8 books bought and still to read.
Haha I have 25 darling so don’t you worry 😀
Rekha and Richa, I have so many unread books lying around that every once in while, I make a vow not to buy any more until I’ve finished reading the ones I own. Then one of my favourite author publishes something new and I just HAVE to have it :)……
Looks interesting. Never read Lessing. sorry that she passed away 2 days ago…
I love this line- “It takes a great book to make us realize how truly small we are.”
Indeed…but books make us grow! 🙂
yes and so in a way there is always that book which makes you look small 🙂
It takes guts to read a book like this and I cant imagine the kind of courage the writer must have had. A must read now, I just cant wait to get my hands on this.
True it takes guts and to write two ends of the same story no more tough?
Interesting! Gonna look for these on my next library/book shopping trip! Btw “Mugdha Wagle” sounds extremely familiar..Mugdha, are you the same Mugdha that I think you are???
Well only Mugdha can answer this no? 😀 😀 and it is a must read!!!!!
Hehe true! Got in touch with her, turned out to be the same Mugdha that I know! small world eh?. thanks Richa 🙂