Anyone ever read "Briefing for a Descent into Hell" by Doris Lessing?

[otherlander]

We have to write book reports over the summer on 3 books from a list of authors, one of whom is Lessing. The title makes it sound depressing, but it's not...or at least, not in the way one might imagine. It's about the visions that an allegedly insane man has when in a mental hospital, and which bring him to understand the nature of the human race, the makeup of the universe, and how everyone thinks he's lost his mind, but what he's seeing is basically divine enlightenment. It's very interesting, but some of the symbolism is pretty confusing.

[pitohui]

1. yes i have

back in the day it was actually a trashy best seller but don't mention that to whoever is giving out the grade :-)

it isn't my favorite of hers, my favorite "descent into madness" if you will of hers is "the golden notebook" or the linda material in the "four gated city" but if you're a fan of hers it allows you to see her trying to wrestle w. this theme that she tackles several times from different directions

[man4allcats]

3. I have also read

The Golden Notebook and The Four-Gated City but not Briefing for a Descent into Hell. I might read it now though since the title has come up. It sounds interesting - not surprising for such a gifted writer. It is good to know her works are being taught and also that she is still hard at work.

[pitohui]

5. oh i gotta get that book

altho i'm not sure mara and dann was crying out for a sequel, it was perfect as it was, but i know i won't be able to resist! :-)

[charlyvi]

2. "The Summer Before the Dark"

is my favorite Lessing book. She can certainly spin a yarn, huh?

[pitohui]

4. oh she's a wonderful writer

have you read "the sweetest dream?"

she has a dry irony abt life but it's so bittersweet too

[otherlander]

6. Haven't read that one yet...

but I've read Mara and Dann, and the sequel, and "The Grandmothers". I like her style of writing, so I'll see if I can find that one in the library next.

I don't want to give away the ending of Descent into Hell, but it's one of those rare endings that's tragic, and yet all the characters seem perfectly happy. Almost like the conclusion of 1984.