I've just finished re-reading Dorris Lessing's "The Fifth Child." I found the copy I had at university, complete with notes scribbled in pencil in the margins.

I didn't appreciate the book when it was part of my English degree: having to analyse the text then churn out an essay, ruined the reading experience for me, as did lack of time. I'm a slow reader so working through a book a day was a battle, not a pleasure.

I'm so glad I read it again. Lessing really is a master storyteller and throws convention out the window. Chapters? Who needs them? And why can't a paragraph be one long sentence?

Hats off to her, she makes it work.

The Fifth Child