The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing
Reviewed by: Jacob Roberts, Adult Services Reference Assistant
Genre: Horror
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: A young couple, David and Harriett Lovatt, meet at an office party in 1960 London. They both hold far more conservative ideas than both their colleagues and relatives. They soon fall in love and get a loan from David’s wealthy father to buy a large, Victorian house in a small town right outside London. Soon after they get married and purchase their dream home, they have their first child, Luke. Family parties and get-togethers soon follow, and so do more children. They appear to have everything they ever wanted—their dream home, small town, four children, and loved-ones near. Yet, soon after they make a resolution to postpone their fifth child, they find out Harriet is pregnant once more. This time the child appears to be growing too fast and makes Harriet ill. Numerous doctors’ appointments blame Harriet for being reckless and assure her that it is all in her head when she tells them this child is not like the rest. Once the fifth child is born they name him Ben, and everyone soon finds out how right Harriet had been all along.
My Review: I love this short novel by Lessing, because it forces the reader to rethink the conventions set forth by society. It comments on the masked voice of women in literature, as Harriet’s voice goes unheard and unheeded repeatedly by those around her. It also challenges the reader to ask what it truly means to be a family. While the novel is classified as Horror Fiction, it proves to be misleading to many readers. It holds much more political emphasis than what its genre entails. It displays some unsettling moments, yet the true “horror” of the novel is not the sharp descriptions, nor the action that takes place in the novel, rather it is the unspoken truths that it brings to light in our society that haunt the readers long after they have turned the last page.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Haunting, Political, Tragic
Give This a Try if You Like… Feminism, Tragedies, Quick reads
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!