A Proper Marriage ~ Doris Lessing

A Proper Marriage ~ Doris Lessing

Medium hard cover, no dust jacket
Slight shelf-wear visible on cover edges
Good condition inside

Printed in 1954 - FIRST EDITION

A Proper Marriage by Doris Lessing is the second novel in her Children of Violence series, continuing the story of Martha Quest during the years 1939 to 1941. After leaving her rural upbringing behind, Martha finds herself in a conventional marriage with Douglas Knowell. Initially swept up in the excitement of adult life, she soon feels stifled by societal expectations, impending motherhood, and the limitations of domesticity.

As World War II looms, Marthas internal conflict deepensshe fears becoming a replica of her mother and struggles to reconcile her personal desires with the roles imposed on her. The birth of her child intensifies her sense of entrapment, but moments of clarity and connection with nature reignite her longing for autonomy. Ultimately, she ends her marriage and joins the Communist Party, seeking purpose and escape from traditional constraints.

The novel is a powerful exploration of identity, rebellion, and the tension between individual freedom and collective pressures.