The first time around I struggled to find a solid thesis and research to back me up because the novel was published in 2002 and I was doing my research in the spring of 2006. I did what I thought I needed to do--taking notes in the margins and analyzing word choice and syntax. I read every review of The Sweetest Dream I could find, and biographies and other research about Doris Lessing herself and her other writing. I did put together a thesis that wouldn't have stood up to criticism for a moment. It barely stood on its own. I'm embarrassed, looking back.
So, this time, I thought it would be better because I'm just reading it for enjoyment and to understand the storyline. It is not better. I really just don't like the book. The plot spans over 20 years' time, but the plot leaps through those years and it's hard to keep track of how much time has passed. The characters don't change or develop in anyway that make it clear that they have aged. The first half of the story basically follows a woman, Frances, and the house she lives in. She welcomes 'waifs and strays' during the tumultuous times of the 1960s. Most of these wanderers are friends of her sons, Colin and Andrew. Frances's ex-husband is Comrade Johnny an allegedly important member of the Communist party, and most of the 'waifs' were captivated by the idea that Communism would liberate all people and bring equality and there would be no more problems, etc.
That's all well and good, and that part of the story isn't so bad. Lots of personal and family drama within a house full of people with all kinds of personalities. I enjoyed that and if Doris had just tied up those story lines, I would have been content (and my thesis would have made a lot more sense.)
The second half takes one of those 'waifs' to a fictitious, newly liberated (by Communists) African country, Zimilia, as a doctor. And now we see all the contradictions of 'the movement' and the novel becomes a political statement against the idealism that was and is still prevalent.
The best part of rereading this is rereading all of the margin notes of the literary critic I thought I was when I was 18. I was really following (to the letter) the ways we had analyzed the texts we read in that class.
This has been an exercise in remembrance and review. I gave Doris a second chance, but I really just don't think its going to work out.