The Good Terrorist - Softcover

Lessing, Doris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0586090045 ISBN 13: 9780586090046

Publisher: Flamingo, 2003

Synopsis

A hugely significant political novel of the late 20th century from one of the outstanding writers of the modern era.

In a London squat, a band of bourgeois revolutionaries are united by a loathing of the waste and cruelty they see around them. These maladjusted malcontents try desperately to become involved in terrorist activities far beyond their level of competence. Only Alice seems capable of organising anything. Motherly, practical and determined, she is also easily exploited by the group and ideal fodder for a more dangerous and potent cause. Eventually their naive radical fantasies turn into a chaos of real destruction, but the aftermath is not as exciting as they had hoped. Nonetheless, while they may not have changed the world, their lives will never be the same again...

About this title

Review:

‘In “The Good Terrorist” we are in the world of the subsidised sub-culture of the Marxist groupuscules of contemporary Britain...Lessing has a wit, an indignation and a narrative agility which leave few left-wing sacred cows unscathed...hugely enjoyable.’ Sunday Times

‘Doris Lessing writes about the parts other novelists cannot reach. This is a totally absorbing, subtly observed, complicated and stimulating novel.’ Observer

‘“The Good Terrorist” is a work of acute intelligence, incisive and compelling...it shows Doris Lessing at her mature best.’ Listener

From the Back Cover:

In a London squat a band of bourgeois revolutionaries are united by a loathing of the waste and cruelty they see around them as they try desperately to become involved in terrorist activities far beyond their level of competence.

Only Alice seems capable of organising anything. Motherly, practical and determined, she is also easily exploited by the group and ideal fodder for a more dangerous and potent cause. Eventually their naïve radical fantasies turn into a chaos of real destruction, but the aftermath is not as exciting as they hoped. Nonetheless, while they may not have changed the world, their lives will never be the same again.

"Hugely enjoyable. Lessing has a wit, an indignation and a narrative agility which leave few left-wing sacred cows unscathed."
'Sunday Times'

"Doris Lessing's portrait of this confused band of comrades is masterly and meticulously truthful. Humorous, ironic and sharp."
'Sunday Telegraph'

About this edition

• Publisher: Flamingo
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0586090045
• ISBN 13: 9780586090046
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400