The Cleft

About “The Cleft”

Doris Lessing's 2007 novel presents a mythical society of women living in an Edenic valley, untouched by men. The Clefts, as they are called, have a controlled method of childbirth and have never known men. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when a boy is born, followed by more male infants who are rejected and left on the mountainside. The boys survive with the help of the eagles meant to kill them. A young Cleft named Maire discovers the truth and forces her community to confront the reality of a shared world. The novel explores themes of gender and the challenges of coexistence between men and women. The story reflects Lessing's long-standing interest in the dynamics between men and women and how gender shapes human life. It offers a thought-provoking examination of society, gender roles, and the complexities of human relationships.