You know you are in the presence of a great writer when you have to pause frequently to soak in the meaning and savor the way in which it was presented. The short story collection entitled, "The Black Madonna", is such a collection. Doris Lessing's writing is direct, unsettling, charming, and profound. She was born in Iran, raised in Zimbabwe, then moved to her parents' native England. Each of these stories is a gem, and I love things that sparkle! ( )

Mercifully short. ( )

Lessing is one of my favorite authors. The title story in this short-story collection is, in my mind, one of the most perfect short stories I've ever read. ( )