The Four-Gated City The Children of Violence, Book 5: Amazon.ca: Books

This is the only book I have read more than 3 times. I wore out the paperback and bought the hardback. This novel is the 5th of Nobel-winning Doris Lessing's Children of Violence series. The series title reflects the fact that it concerns the generations living in the shadow of the World Wars. This last volume is by far the best and can be read by itself. However, this was my first Lessing novel and after a couple of pages I went back to the bookstore and bought the rest and began at the beginning. It is a detailed look at many facets of life in London for a decade or so after the end of WW II. (The previous volumes are set in southern Africa - the protagonist has just moved to London at the start of this book). The story of Martha Quest is fascinating enough and carries you along through an examination of psychology, politics, history, philosophy and sociology without every becoming tedious; the studies are yours to dip into on second or third readings.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, liberating end to what is a heart rending series, Jan 9 2001

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Michael Owen Aldridge "mikael61" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Four-Gated City (The Children of Violence, Book 5) (Paperback)

I don't know why Doris Lessing is classified as a feminist. Apparently, she didn't understand that herself. I view her as one of the greatest authors of the 20th Century and the best from the 2nd half. At the end of this book I attained a deep sense of liberation.

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have ever read, May 1 2000

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lpop - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Four-Gated City (The Children of Violence, Book 5) (Paperback)

This book is the last (and the best) in The Children of Violence series. Doris Lessing is my favourite author and this book is a difficult (and big) one, but it is one of her best works. It changed my opinion about mental health, politics and science fiction. If you like Lessing you will love it.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful view of ~20 yrs aft. 1945-people,politics,+
For me, incredibly deep view of life in England approx 1945-mid 60's and the future. One of the books I would take to a desert island - I have read and reread it. Read more

Published on Sep 6 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Lessings Masterpieces
I recently finished reading The Four-Gated City for the second time. It took a long time and was difficult to get through the novel this time. Read more

Published on July 8 1998 by Sheldon S. Kohn