68 pages • 2 hours read
The Golden Notebook
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Book Brief
640
Novel • Fiction
London • 1950s
1962
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Golden Notebook follows Anna Wulf, a writer struggling with creative block following the success of her first novel, as she grapples with personal and societal upheavals in 1950s London. She keeps four color-coded notebooks, each dedicated to different aspects of her life, culminating in a unified "golden notebook" that helps her reconcile her fragmented identity and resume writing. The novel includes depictions of suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt.
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
24,450 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing receives high praise for its innovative structure and its deep exploration of women's issues, mental health, and political ideologies. Critics laud Lessing's complex narrative and character development. However, some find the novel's experimental form and length challenging. Overall, it's regarded as a thought-provoking classic.
Who Should Read The Golden Notebook?
Readers who enjoy The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing are typically attracted to complex narratives that explore themes like feminism, mental health, and political ideologies. Fans of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway or Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar would appreciate Lessing’s in-depth character studies and fragmented storytelling.
24,450 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Molly Jacobs
Molly Jacobs
Anna’s friend who navigates the challenges of being an independent woman in the 1950s, balancing her personal desires with family responsibilities.
Saul Green
Saul Green
One of Anna’s more distinct lovers, who plays a key role in her creative journey and personal development, influencing her writing process.
Richard
Richard
Molly’s ex-husband, who embodies traditional values and represents the conservative societal expectations that contrast with the novel’s central female characters.
Tommy
Tommy
Molly's son in "Free Women," depicted as a representative of the younger generation grappling with confusion and searching for direction.
640
Novel • Fiction
London • 1950s
1962
Adult
18+ years
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