PRIORITY FLASH ONE
All coordinates all plans all prints cancelled. As of now condition unforeseen by us obtaining this city. Clear all programmes all planners all forecasters for new setting on this on this information.
One thing that must be immediately known about Doris Lessing is that if you look hard enough, you will find a story that matches your interest, no matter what they are. The beginning of this story reads like something from Ray Bradbury or Arthur C. Clarke. And yet, Lessing is not exactly know as a science fiction writer; certainly she has never been limited to that genre. While certain themes, settings and character types recur with regularity, it must be noted that Lessing is one of the most experimental short story writers of the 20th century as well.
Her name was Hetty and she was born with the twentieth century. She was seventy when she died of cold and malnutrition.
Standing in stark contrast to the above example is the opening to this story. Here the sentences are simple and declarative, using proper pronunciation and getting to the meat of the main character immediately. While experimental in nature in another of stories, Lessing proves that it requires mastery of the fundamentals before you can really be called an experimental artist.
It was during the week of hot sun, that June.
The opening line of this story proves that even when using simple words and conveying relatively simple information, Lessing can manipulate language into artistry. It is in the place of “that June” that this introductory quote takes on addition weight. Consider if she had written the same sentence using more standard construction:
“It was during the week of that hot sun in June” or “It was in June. During that week of hot sun.” The same words and same information is supplied, but the tone is different. The separation of the month from the week with that comma so that the reader is forced to place an emphasis on “that June” whether they would have done so intentionally or not, Lessing is controlling the reader. She is guiding them using a very subtle writing device and not just for fun. The issue of controlling narrative will prove instrumental throughout the story.
Or rather, perhaps, a condition of the mud which nurtures?
And then there is the Lessing at her most experimental, daring to force readers to face the challenge. In comparison to the previous three examples, a reader might be forgiven for choosing to skip past this story. What is going on here, anyway? Who kicks off the opening line of a story with the word “Or” for crying out loud? A certain type of reader will be eager to take on such a challenge and one can feel fairly confident that Lessing is aware that many other readers will eagerly take a pass. It goes to prove the contention made earlier; read enough Lessing and you will certainly find a story that speaks to your own peculiar sensibilities.
