Free Woman: Life, Liberation and Doris Lessing

Lara Feigel rereads The Golden Notebook in her thirties and discovers that Doris Lessing spoke directly to her as a woman, writer, and mother. She explores the joys and costs of sexual, psychological, intellectual, and political freedom, resulting in a genre-defying book that is a meditation on life and literature and a daring act of self-exposure.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 07 March 2019
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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The Golden Notebook is a captivating blend of literary criticism, cultural history, and memoir that offers a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of freedom. Written by the renowned author Doris Lessing, this novel has resonated with readers across generations, particularly women, writers, and mothers. Upon rereading it in her thirties, Lara Feigel found that Lessing's words spoke directly to her as a woman, writer, and mother in a way that no other novelist had achieved.

Feigel's journey through The Golden Notebook is a mesmerizing blend of admiration and frustration as she delves into the choices made by the protagonist, Anna Wulf. Through her meticulous investigation, Feigel uncovers the joys and complexities of sexual, psychological, intellectual, and political freedom. The result is a genre-defying masterpiece that seamlessly blends meditation on life and literature with a bold act of self-exposure.

In her exploration of freedom, Feigel questions the societal norms and expectations that limit individuals' choices and aspirations. She challenges the notion that freedom is solely about personal liberation and explores its broader implications for society as a whole. Feigel examines the costs and consequences of pursuing different forms of freedom, both for individuals and for communities. She raises thought-provoking questions about the balance between individual rights and the collective good, the role of power and privilege in shaping individuals' experiences, and the impact of social structures on personal growth and fulfillment.

Through her vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Feigel invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of freedom and the choices they have made in their lives. The Golden Notebook serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire, challenge, and transform. It is a reminder that freedom is a complex and multifaceted concept that requires careful consideration and exploration. Whether one is rereading this novel for the first time or the tenth, it remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers on a personal and societal level.

\n Weight: 236g\n
Dimension: 198 x 173 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781408878576\n \n