In the 1960s, David and Harriet Lovatt meet at a party, fall in love, marry, and have four children, but their idyllic life is disrupted with the birth of their fifth child, Ben, who exhibits disturbing behavior that challenges the family's stability and societal norms. Sensitive topics in this book include descriptions of violence, institutionalization, and familial conflict.

The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing elicits a polarized reception. Positively, readers commend its compelling exploration of family dynamics and societal norms. Negatively, some find the narrative bleak and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it provokes thought and discussion despite mixed reactions to its execution.

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and domestic dramas will find Doris Lessing's The Fifth Child compelling. Fans of Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby or Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle will appreciate the novel's dark exploration of family dynamics and societal norms.

Dark / Unnerving / Mysterious / Melancholic / Challenging

- The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing was published in 1988 and is often praised for its exploration of societal norms and family dynamics, offering a critique that's both unsettling and thought-provoking.
- Doris Lessing considered The Fifth Child a turning point in her writing, as it led to her experimentation with genre, blending elements of horror and domestic drama.
- The novel is part of a loosely connected series, followed by its sequel Ben, in the World, published in 2000, which continues the story of the title character.

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