June {2020} Discussion -- THE GRASS IS SINGING by Doris Lessing

[Charity]

Time to discuss.

[George P.]

I enjoyed reading this intensely moody short novel.
Lessing, who largely grew up there, gave a very evocative depiction of a bleak life on a poor Rhodesian farm. Very much a different picture than what we got from Out of Africa (set in Kenya). Great character study of an emotionally stunted, racist young woman and how she came to make a poor life choice which turned out badly for her (and her husband).
I had already planned to read Lessing's The Golden Notebook some day; now I think I also want to read her The Diaries of Jane Somers.

[S.L.]

A compelling book ... most of the time. In the latter half of the narrative, Mary or those talking about Mary’s emotional and psychological state start sounding whiny. It’s clear that she’s suffering from a nervous breakdown without having to be told that endlessly though how she suffered (symptoms) was excellent. About half a chapter could have been eliminated. Also, at the beginning, Dick, Mary’s husband, is thought to be mad (not angry but psychologically impaired). However, the author never really shows this. It’s like the reader would assume this to be the case or you know it when you see it.

Lessing's writing rivals that of J. Coetzee in terms of making the characters and settings real and having their characters live the messages that the authors are trying to get across, rather than preaching their message.

[Pascal]

I am new to the group, was 15 June the deadline to have read the book? Just started and I am enjoying it.
Thank you. Pascal

[George P.]

Pascal wrote: "I am new to the group, was 15 June the deadline to have read the book? Just started and I am enjoying it.
Thank you. Pascal"

I think there's no hard rule, but it's best to have read at least half the book by the time the discussion starts so you can participate soon after. When you get a late start you should try to read it somewhat quickly. Welcome to the group.

[Sean]

I enjoyed this book. It was definitely short. My copy had so much about Lessing attached to the end I thought I was only 3/4 of the way through when it suddenly ended.

I have to agree with S.L. I had expected more on how Dick went off kilter the way we saw him right at the beginning. But it really isn't hard to imagine why.

What a dismal picture she painted though. I didn't even like a single character except maybe Samson. And that was short-lived. I think I began to like child-Mary. But it really did say something about the time and the living conditions and the abuse that the natives had to endure.

It was a very well written book. I will look forward to reading others.

[Pascal]

I enjoyed this very "atmospheric" (and a bit depressing) story. The depiction of the life of a poor farmer's wife, the boredom of it, without real meaning, is powerful. I didn't catch if she had an affair with the boy (as some reviews mention) or if she was only close to him, as a human, with a descent and fearful relationship, like she could be with the white characters, as described in the book.

What do you think?

Also surprised that the e-book was so much shorter than announced because of end of book add-ons (the author, long extracts from other books)...

[Sean]

Pascal wrote: " I didn't catch if she had an affair with the boy (as some reviews mention) or if she was only close to him, as a human, with a descent and fearful relationship, like she could be with the white characters, as described in the book.

What do you think?..."

(view spoiler)[ I think it was very vague. An purposely so I believe. I personally don't think she does.

But my real thought is: does it matter? She treated him way too differently. She didn't have control of the situation all the time. The things that the other white men noticed (the way she talked to him. Him touching her. Him helping her dress/undress) were all way too inappropriate in their minds. They felt they needed to put a stop to it in order to save their way of life. They needed to preserve their status above the natives. In the end, whether they were having an affair or not was immaterial. She was threatening to bring down their powerful position by treating him almost human. (hide spoiler)]

[S.L.]

Sean wrote: "Pascal wrote: " I didn't catch if she had an affair with the boy (as some reviews mention) or if she was only close to him, as a human, with a descent and fearful relationship, like she could be wi..."

I agree with your analysis.

I believe that rather than an affair that it was likely lust in the mind on Mary's part prompted by the lack of other males though the undressing of Mary presents a close question.

[Daniel]

Can we talk about the elephant in the room?

Why was Mary murdered?

(and I'm claiming that's not a spoiler since it happens in the first paragraph of the book)

I get that Moses is upset because his livelihood is disappearing, but is that enough? He is witnessed dressing Mary, but why would that make him want revenge in any way?

I almost feel like the editor/publisher told the author, "The book is insightful, but boring. Why don't you kill off the main character and make it the first instead of the last chapter? It'll give the reader a reason to read the rest!"

[Sean]

Her murder isn't much of a spoiler, but I think some of my opinions might be so I will hide them.

(view spoiler)[ While the personal reasons that Moses killed Mary may not be exactly spelled out, I think they may include some of the following:

He was badly abused by her. Both when they first met (physically) and by the way she treats him.

He may have been very confused by her. She obviously has some attraction to him. Yet she is very fearful of him. At the same time she likely is making him do things he doesn't want to do to her/with her/for her. Are they having an affair? We have already discussed that the answer is that it's pretty vague... and may not matter... but if they are, then is he a willing participant? The fact that he kills her tells me that maybe he isn't.

But I think the more important question of framing "why does he kill her" is: Why is it important to the story? I think it says something about the relationship between the Blacks and the Whites during that time. It's almost like this is Moses's way of "overthrowing" that power. He is fed up with the way things are. He is done letting the whites have that power. Then, it ends up very ironic because he now almost assuredly going to be hanged for what he did. (hide spoiler)]

[Daniel]

Sean wrote: "While the personal reasons that Moses killed Mary may not be exactly spelled out, I think..."

Great insights Sean, thanks!