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The Cleft
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The Cleft Paperback - 2008

by Doris Lessing

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In this fascinating and beguiling novel, Lessing envisions a mythical society free from sexual intrigue, jealousy, and petty rivalries--essentially, a society free from men. Lessing confronts the troublesome particulars of how gender affects every aspect of peoples existence.

Reader reviews for The Cleft

From the 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 this fascinating and beguiling novel, Lessing confronts the themes that inspired much of her early writing: how men and women manage to live side by side in the world and how the troublesome particulars of gender affect every aspect of our existence.

In the last years of his life, a Roman senator retells the history of human creation and reveals the little-known story of the Clefts, an ancient community of women living in an Edenic coastal wilderness. The Clefts have neither need nor knowledge of men; childbirth is controlled through the cycles of the moon, and they bear only female children. But with the unheralded birth of a strange new child--a boy--the harmony of their community is suddenly thrown into jeopardy.


From the rear cover

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.

Details

  • Title The Cleft
  • Author Doris Lessing
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition a
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial, NY USA
  • Publication date 2008-01-29
  • ISBN 9780060834876 / 0060834870
  • Weight 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 in (20.07 x 13.46 x 1.78 cm)
  • Themes
    • Sex & Gender: Feminine
  • Category Fiction - General
  • Library of Congress subjects Fantasy fiction, Psychological fiction
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • New York Times Book Review, 02/17/2008, Page 24

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Cleft
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Cleft

by Doris Lessing

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HarperCollins Publishers, 2008-01-28. paperback. Very Good. 5x0x8. Great used condition. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations.Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders.
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The Cleft: A Novel
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The Cleft: A Novel

by Lessing, Doris

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Harper Perennial, 1/29/2008 12:00:01 A. paperback. Very Good. 0.6693 7.9921 5.2756.
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The Cleft: A Novel
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The Cleft: A Novel

by Lessing, Doris

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Harper Perennial, 2008-01-29. Paperback. Very Good. Softcover, minor wear, solid binding, a very nice copy!
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The Cleft A Novel
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The Cleft A Novel

by Doris Lessing

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The Cleft: A Provocative Exploration of Gender and the Ancient Women Who Shaped Human Origins
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The Cleft: A Provocative Exploration of Gender and the Ancient Women Who Shaped Human Origins

by Lessing, Doris

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Harper Perennial. First Harper perennial Edition. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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The Cleft
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Cleft

by Lessing, Doris

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  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060834876 / 0060834870
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Harper Perennial, 2008. Paperback. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Cleft : A Novel

The Cleft : A Novel

by Doris Lessing

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060834876 / 0060834870
Quantity available
2
Seller
Item price
A$10.93
Free Delivery to USA

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Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$10.93
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The Cleft : A Novel
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Cleft : A Novel

by Lessing, Doris

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060834876 / 0060834870
Quantity available
1
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A$11.30
Free Delivery to USA

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Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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A$11.30
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The Cleft : A Novel
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Cleft : A Novel

by Lessing, Doris

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060834876 / 0060834870
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$11.30
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Item price
A$11.30
Free Delivery to USA
The Cleft : A Novel
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Cleft : A Novel

by Lessing, Doris

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060834876 / 0060834870
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$11.30
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.30
Free Delivery to USA