THE GRASS IS SINGING by Doris Lessing

THE GRASS IS SINGING by Doris Lessing caused a sensation when it was published in 1950 - it was Doris Lessing's first novel.

South Africa. The farmer’s wife Mary is killed. Her murderer, the black “boy” Moses, is very soon arrested while Mary’s husband Dick seems to have completely lost his mind.

In review the reader is told how this tragedy could happen.

As far as I remember I have not read any book about South Africa yet. (Northern Africa – yes. But not the southern part.)

I really, really enjoyed the first part in which Mary’s life in the town as a single girl is described – and how (because in the opinion of her friends it is not natural for a girl to stay unmarried) she changes her life and marries Dick – which will make both unhappy (and causes them to behave unfair) - this book teaches a lot about prejudices (sexism, racism…)

I liked the end very much, too – and I simply love the title. This book was able to depress me while I was reading it – just because the mood is captured so well.

The German title is AFRIKANISCHE TRAGÖDIE (=African Tragedy) - I love the original title - not that much the German one..

THE GRASS IS SINGING fits into my FORGOTTEN TREASURES CHALLENGE.

Read about my progress in this challenge here.

Take good care of my baby

A narrow little thriller: MISCHIEF (1950) by Charlotte Armstrong.

In a nutshell:

Mr. and Mrs. Jones are invited to an important dinner and leave their 9-year old daughter Bunny in their hotelroom. With Bunny stays babysitter Nell, whose uncle Eddie - the lift operator - arranged this job for her.
At the same time Jed - a young man, who resides in the same hotel - has a brawl with his girlfriend Lyn and after their seperation he spots Nell in the hotelroom vis-à-vis and looks forward to have a chance to reduce his anger in a more cushy way. He grabs a bottle of ryeand the evening could become really nice - if Nell wasn't mentally disordered and dangerous..

Really exciting - and a quick read - no wonder: ca. 200 pages aren't that much. Charlotte Armstrong foreshadows before she starts describing what really happens - so that an enormous suspense can be established - or not, that depends on your own sensation.. ;")

• Celebration!: Whiskey (Rye) or Cola. A little candy and you are in game..
• For non-readers: 1951 the book was adapted to the screen with my heroine Marilyn Monroe - guess what made me read this book.. The movie was named DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK - the minor characters were melted down and Nells backround story was changed a bit - but the story is still thrilling. And: Yes, Marilyn Monroe was able to be mean. :") You can read my film review here.
• Schmooze: The German title of the book is SCHLAFE MEIN KINDCHEN (lit.= "Sleep my little child")