The Grass Is Singing：A Novel

SetinSouthAfricaunderwhiterule,DorisLessing'sfirstnovelisbotharivetingchronicleofhumandisintegrationandabeautifullyunderstatedsocialcritique.MaryTurnerisaself-confident,independentyoungwomanwhobecomesthedepressed,frustratedwifeofanineffectual,unsuccessfulfarmer.Littlebylittletheennuiofyearsonthefarmworktheirslowpoison,andMary'sdespairprogressesuntilthefatefularrivalofanenigmaticandvirileblackservant,Moses.Lockedinanguish,MaryandMoses--masterandslave--aretrappedinawebofmountingattractionandrepulsion.TheirpsychictensionexplodesinanelectrifyingscenethatendsthisdisturbingtaleofracialstrifeincolonialSouthAfrica.TheGrassIsSingingblendsLessing'simaginativevisionwithherownvividlyrememberedearlychildhoodtorecreatethequiethorrorofawoman'sstruggleagainstaruthlessfate.