The Grandmothers: Four Short Novels

Recently I re-read "The Reason For It," one of four novellas in The Grandmothers, a collection by Doris Lessing.It's the only one of the four in the style Lessing began writing later in life, dubbed "space fiction" by her, though most people, of course, call it science fiction. Her first foray into this genre was the five-volume Canopus in Argos series, by which time she'd published dozens of realistic novels and short stories.In The Reason For It a government representative, the equivalent of one of our senators, realizes as he nears death the mistake that he and his co-representatives made by appointing DeRod their president many years ago. They had believed his amiability signalled great kindness, but now he sees that DeRod is what he calls "feeble minded." As he describes President DeRod who he can, at last, see clearly, he sounds exactly like someone who voted for a president based on his charm, his looks, his affability. Now he sees that the man they chose to rule their region is an incompetent idiot who never understood the senators' complaints, and who was surrounded by people who covered up for his stupidity. During his reign the infrastructure fell into disrepair, schools stopped teaching anything meaningful, resulting in a shortage of labor...and so forth. It's our world, people!I adore this story, though the style is more emotionally detached than Lessing's realistic fiction. I can see what might make a brilliant author turn to dry story-telling, a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of delivery. Much of Lessing's work centers on upcoming planetary apocalypse, and she may have adopted space fiction out of desparation to get her message through. Perhaps she thought that, ironically, by removing all literary flourishes from her prose, the message would stand out in stark reality more than it does with literary realism.The Reason For It is brilliant, as are the other three novellas; however, the title novella, The Grandmothers, stands uniquely alone. In it, this ninety-something author explores the sexual relationship between each of two best friends with the other one's adult son. Realistic indeed--and the most radical erotica you're likely to read anywhere.

What is interesting about the story (The Grandmothers) compared to the film (Two Mothers) is how sparse the story is. The film makes the sexual relation between the mothers and sons quite explicit, and it also gives more depth of personality to the mother played by Robin Wright in the film. In other words, the personalities are explored a bit more. The story, on the other hand, has a bit more about Australia itself, what this cove might mean to these people. In the movie, you barely realize that the setting is Australia, whereas in the story this seems to me a major point. I have to admit that I found both the film and novella to be engaging and interesting

I was on a United flight when I happened upon this lovely movie. The book is actually better than the movie I think. Perhaps because some of the movie was a little confusing and maybe even a little hard to understand the relationship between two middle aged women and their sons evolving into a sexual relationship.The book better explains this part and fills in the holes within the story including what happens next....

I really enjoy the writings of Doris Lessing. I read Adore and loved it so much that I wanted more, the Grandmothers was an extension of the book Adore, I really liked it but wish the ending had been extended, I wanted to know more about the characters.

I found the first story a little hard to believe and rather bizarre. I really enjoyed the others. Ms Lessing really draws me into the story. I am not sure what will happen. Her stories are very compelling. I highly recommend this book

Short and sweet: I read this and watched the film adaptation "Adore". Both made me feel sad for all characters in this story, but still a good read that I could not put down.

An easy story, properly written, but nothing outstanding. A potential fantastic story wasted...it makes you think "what if" and next day you can hardly remember the names of the characters. I already forgot them!

I had been away from Doris Lessing too long;I had fogotten too much, even or especially about myself. You can read the plot summaries in the other reviews. I'll not repeat them and I didn't get past line 2 of SCI-Fi one...never do. Oh but the others...who has the grace of love? a generous heart? needs? mistakes, consequences...all in prose that seems efortless but is not.a lovely, lovely treat

Great

Doris Lessing is a gifted writer. However I saw the movie Adore which is based on her story. The movie is much better...DSY

J'avais adoré le film "perfet mothers" et le roman est un peu différent mais tout aussi intéressant.Deux femmes qui à quarante ans ont une aventure avec leur fils respectif. C'est une histoire d'amour et d'amitié, c'est très beau et très intéressant.

Classic Lessing. Enjoyable as always.

J'ai voulu lire ce livre après avoir vu le film. J'avais déjà lu du Doris Lessing et elle m'a cette fois-ci encore su me capturer.Je ne savais pas que "The Grandmothers" était un short-story mais ceci ne m'a pas déçu. Malgré un sujet délicat le livre n'est (d'ailleurs comme le film) absolument vulgaire. C'est bien écrit. Et les autres histoires sont fabuleuses aussi.