3.5
A fascinating character study of middle class people who want to be revolutionaries but reckless amateurs more concerned with the optics of things than the actual real struggle and meaningful actions. They get excited about being a part of a protests with police violence because it seems more real to them. They want to join the IRA then the Soviet Union but they don’t have any real goals in mind other than "tear down the system." Bert and Jasper call themselves communists but never help Alice or Philip with any of the housework and take it all for granted. Alice hates her parents wealth and materialism but is appalled when her mother moves into a tiny flat and she can’t steal from her anymore. It’s definitely a scathing critique of people play acting at being revolutionaries and the deadly consequences this can have when you never really stop and consider the seriousness of your actions.
It’s a slow plot and none of the characters are likable but Lessing writes in a way that holds your attention and keeps your suspense.