The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing is a dense and complex novel that delves into various themes such as identity, sexuality, feminism, communism, postmodernism, and postcolonialism. The book is structured around the protagonist Anna's four different journals, which she keeps simultaneously on four different parts of her life, along with an omniscient narrator's exposition. Lessing's writing style is often described as stream of consciousness, with intricate character development and exploration of political and societal issues such as British Communism and Feminism.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Anna Wulf, are complex and flawed, reflecting the emotional struggles and societal pressures faced by women in the 1960s.

Writing/Prose:

Lessing's writing style is dense and introspective, marked by a fragmented narrative that interweaves personal reflections with broader societal critiques.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Anna Wulf, a writer grappling with her identity in the aftermath of war, divided into four colored notebooks that reflect her experiences and viewpoints.

Setting:

The setting spans post-WWII England and Africa, reflecting the social and political upheaval of mid-20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing varies significantly, often feeling slow and meandering due to extensive introspection and fragmented structure.

Molly was a woman much on the telephone. When it rang she had just enquired: ‘Well, what’s the gossip?’ Now she said, ‘That’s Richard, and he’s coming over. It seems today’s his only free moment for t...

Notes:

The Golden Notebook was published in 1962, a year before Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique.

Doris Lessing won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007, acknowledging her influential work.

The novel explores themes of feminism, communism, mental illness, and the complexities of women's lives in post-war Britain.

Lessing's protagonist, Anna Wulf, uses four color-coded notebooks to compartmentalize her life, representing different aspects of her identity and experiences.

The book is often seen as a feminist classic, addressing women's struggles with societal expectations and personal fulfillment.

Lessing draws from her own experiences in colonial Africa, which deeply inform the character of Anna Wulf and her reflections on race and identity.

The narrative combines elements of autobiography, social commentary, and innovative narrative structure, blending fiction with personal insight.

Anna's relationships with men are depicted as problematic, illustrating the challenges women faced in the 1950s, including infidelity and emotional dependency.

The book is praised for its raw emotional content and intellectual depth, though some find its style difficult or tedious due to its complexity and length.

Lessing herself has said the book was not intended as a manifesto for Women's Liberation, but rather a personal exploration of specific themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include references to mental illness, depression, sexual themes, infidelity, and political disillusionment, making it a challenging read for some.

Has Romance?

While romance exists in the novel, it is nuanced, often critiqued rather than glorified, with the protagonist's relationships often leading to more issues than resolution.

From The Publisher:

"The Golden Notebook is Doris Lessing's most important work and has left its mark upon the ideas and feelings of a whole generation of women." - New York Times Book Review

Anna is a writer, author of one very successful novel, who now keeps four notebooks. In one, with a black cover, she reviews the African experience of her earlier years. In a red one she records her political life, her disillusionment with communism. In a yellow one she writes a novel in which the heroine relives part of her own experience. And in a blue one she keeps a personal diary. Finally, in love with an American writer and threatened with insanity, Anna resolves to bring the threads of all four books together in a golden notebook.

Lessing's best-known and most influential novel, The Golden Notebook retains its extraordinary power and relevance decades after its initial publication.

Ratings (6)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (5)
Did Not Finish (1)

What can you read after
The Golden Notebook?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Activity

Recommendations

My Stuff

Account

More

The Golden Notebook

Doris Lessing