Ben Harran's Castle

The central dichotomy of this novel is the issue of personal growth through free choice or imposed doctrines. Ben Harran, Galactic Controller, has allowed the inhabitants of the planets under his jurisdiction to exercise free will in their development. The all-too-familiar pattern of irresponsible use of resources and mutual destruction is the result. Atuis' High Council closely control all aspects of its subjects' environment; subduing, soothing, but stifling creativity. The reader is asked to decide which philosophy is most acceptable: chillingly, Earth is abandoned as being beyond help. Lawrence's religious convictions permeate the narrative and sit uneasily with the more lurid descriptions - 'thighs bronzed' and 'awesome power'. This is not her most successful novel, but it is, as ever, thought-provoking.