Reading the 20th Century discussion

We've chatted in passing about Doris Lessing but I think she deserves a thread of her own.

She was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature. In awarding the prize, the Swedish Academy described her as "that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny".

In 2008, The Times ranked her fifth on a list of The 50 greatest British writers since 1945.

I've read her The Golden Notebook, and The Grass Is Singing, just poised to start The Fifth Child.

I'm sure there are other Lessing fans here, so what would you recommend by her? Is she under-read today? Why do you think that might be?

I have read the three you mention and one or two more which I am going to try to recall. I am definitely a fan.

I have read The Golden Notebook which I thought was very powerful, and Walking in the Shade: Volume Two of My Autobiography--1949-1962 which covers the same period - a long time ago now, so my memories have faded somewhat, but a few incidents still stand out vividly. I'm not sure why I haven't read any more by her since - probably one of the many authors I have always vaguely intended to read more by.

I'd probably recommend the Children of Violence series starting with Martha Quest, I've also read the usual things like The Golden Notebook, and enjoyed both volumes of the autobiography, as well as The Memoirs of a Survivor. I gave up on The Good Terrorist which had a very stilted quality.

I have read nine of Lessing's books, all before I joined GR so none have proper reviews. Of these seven or eight were novels, depending on whether you count Alfred and Emily. The Golden Notebook is the standout.

The others I have read were The Grass is Singing, The Good Terrorist, The Cleft, Briefing for a Descent into Hell, The Fifth Child, Ben in the World and This Was the Old Chief's Country (a short story collection).

Reading The Fifth Child, I'm struck by how different the three Lessing books I've read/am reading are from each other.

Also, from a quick glance at the reviews of Fifth Child I seem to be one of the few readers finding her depiction of the parents satirical in their unpleasantness, lack of responsibility and sense of entitlement.

I will have to revisit the reviews of The Fifth Child to bring back the book and see if I agree with you, RC.

Hugh, Briefing For A Descent into Hell was the one I was trying to remember. Very odd book, but made me appreciate her more for the diversity of style.

I've read The Golden Notebook and The Fifth Child. Reading Doris Lessing isn't always pleasant, but she makes me think. I thought both were very good. I completely agree about the sense of entitlement in the Fifth Child parents. They annoyed me on several levels. But what a unique little story.

I'm a fan. For me, The Golden Notebook is the best, but there are plenty of hers I have not read.

I've just finished The Fifth Child and saw it as far more politicised (at least in one way of reading it) than most other reviewers have - such a wonderfully rich story.

Alwynne, thanks for mentioning Lessing's autobiography - definitely something I'd like to read.

I found them completely absorbing RC, I was overseas and desperate for English-language books and picked them up simply because they were there and I hadn't read them, and was surprised by how fascinating I found them.