ಹೂಗಳು

 I remember one Kannada film song - "grahini neenu yaara manege, taayi neenu yaara maguvige". 

That is what is Martha. She is taking care of two teenagers Paul and Francis. She is taking care of Lynda - who is neurotic and her moods keep changing. She is taking care of the entire house. 

There are two more children - girls Jill and Gwen. Who are practically here all the time. And there is also a mother in law - Margaret. Who has married again to a man who is non-practicing gay. And she feels isolated from her husband, from her grand children, from every one.

Martha she is a mother to all these people. The only other responsible adult in the house is Mark. How is he related to her? Martha is his writing assistant. And his kind of girl friend. 

Francis, Mark's son is head strong, argumentative and has decided to leave school. Paul, Marks nephew - who has lost his mother, is moody, does not listen to any one and does not have the sense of right and wrong. After being unable to pass 10 O levels, he decides the teacher broke his promise and so, he Paul will not continue his schooling.

Yes, these things will be really exhausting for any parent. But to Martha? How does she cope with a very difficult family which is not even hers?

The four gated city  by Doris Lessing is a wonderful book.

By the way, I read someone's tweet saying that If you want to feel happy, read fiction. I strongly disagree.

 No, most good books are not happy at all. They often don't have happy endings either.