Alfred and Emily

In her profound and experimental work, Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing delves into the lives of her parents, Alfred and Emily, profoundly scarred by the Great War. The book opens with a poignant, fictionalized account, imagining the idyllic existence her parents might have led had the war never intervened—a chance meeting at a village cricket match leading to a life of simple happiness. This hopeful vision sharply contrasts with the second, non-fictional part of the book, which exposes the harsh realities of their lives: Alfred's debilitating war injuries and wooden leg, Emily's wartime nursing, and the subsequent move to Africa that further strained their relationship. Lessing unflinchingly examines the lasting trauma of WWI, its devastating impact on their marriage, and the 'monstrous legacy' it bequeathed to her. 'Alfred and Emily' is a deeply personal exploration of memory, trauma, and the enduring effects of history on individual lives and family dynamics, as Lessing attempts to understand and liberate herself from her parents' unspoken pain.