The Fifth Child
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| Author | Doris Lessing |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1988 |
The Fifth Child is a novel by Doris Lessing, first published in the United Kingdom in 1988 and since translated into a number of languages. The book describes the changes in the happy life of a married couple, Harriet and David Lovatt, which occur as consequence of the birth of Ben, their fifth child.
A sequel, Ben, in the World (2000) further develops Ben's life after he has left his family.
[edit] Plot summary
The story begins in London in the 1960s. The main characters, Harriet and David Lovatt, share a conservative vision of tradition and harmonious normalcy within a large family. They meet at an office party and within a short time marry and start to realize their dream in a large, old house outside London. Events in the outside world do not affect them. They are a haven of peace and a refuge for their relations, deeply in love and thankful for their four children.
The birth of their fifth child, Ben, changes both their family life and their relationship. Ben behaves in a viciously anti-social way, and physically resembles an ugly dwarf, or even a Neanderthal. The parents recognise that their fifth child will never be accepted in their world; their dream is shattered.
Finally Harriet and David decide to send Ben to an institution; however, Harriet brings him back after finding out what they have done to him there. The other family members cannot forgive her for this. At the peak of the family break-up, Harriet is left alone to deal with Ben's abnormality while her children go off to boarding school and her husband works all day so that he does not have to see her or Ben. She feels as if she is treated like a criminal. Ben finds his place among a group of juvenile delinquents.
The book critically discusses the reactions of society and even close family towards this very strange child of whom everyone is terrified. It shows how much Ben unknowingly affects the fate of the family he is born into. Doctors can't bring themselves to admit to his being abnormal and institutions are unable to help. The book also shows how the dream of perfection can be destroyed by outside influences. One cannot choose one's destiny.
