The Cleft A Novel
The Cleft A Novel by Doris Lessing is a thought-provoking exploration of human origins, published by HarperCollins on January 29, 2008. This first Harper perennial edition spans 272 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of a Roman senator in his twilight years, who undertakes a significant retelling of humanity’s creation, focusing on the unique story of the Clefts—an ancient community of women who live without men and control childbirth through lunar cycles.
Readers will discover a richly woven tale that delves into themes of gender and societal structure, as the Clefts experience a profound disruption with the unexpected birth of a boy. This alternative history challenges conventional narratives and invites reflection on the dynamics of power and community. The book’s blend of fiction, literary elements, and political fantasy offers a distinctive lens through which to examine the complexities of human relationships and societal evolution.
Official synopsis Publisher
From Doris Lessing, “one of the most important writers of the past hundred years” (Times of London), comes a brilliant, darkly provocative alternative history of humankind’s beginnings.
In the last years of his life, a Roman senator embarks on one final epic endeavor, a retelling of the history of human creation. The story he relates is the little-known saga of the Clefts, an ancient community of women with no knowledge of nor need for men. Childbirth was controlled through the cycles of the moon, and only female offspring were born—until the unanticipated event that jeopardized the harmony of their close-knit society: the strange, unheralded birth of a boy.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “The Cleft A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “The Cleft A Novel”?
When was “The Cleft A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Cleft A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
