The Millstone By Margaret Drabble anyone read it your opinion?

Question

Set in the 60's Rosamund finds herself pregnant after one sexual encounter keeps the baby.

Answer 1

I wonder why Rosamund does not tell George the truth about the pretty Octavia! So many other questions linger but seems a good story well told.I've not read it but came across this review (in some German web-page) that whetted my appetite. I hope to get it soon.

SUMMARY
Rosamund Stacey is a young woman living in her parents appartement in London. She can stay there for a year since her parents have left for Africa. She ’s writing a paper on the sonnets written in Elisabeth’s age, in order to become Doctorandus.
Rosamund is good at her job, but very insecure about herself, especially about her emotions and sexuality. She dates two men at the same time: Joe Hurt and Roger Anderson. She makes each of them believe that she sleeps with the other because she ’s affraid to really make love.
One night, when she ’s gone out with Joe, they have a fight. Joe takes off, and leaves Rosamund alone. She starts to talk to George Matthews, a radio announcer. George seems to be a sweet man, not obsessed with trying to get into bed with her. She invites hem to her place for a drink, they have a great evening and end up in bed after all. The next morning she decides not to contact George. If he really cares he will definately call. Unfortunately he doesn’t.
After a while, Rosamund discovers that she ‘s pregnant. She feels miserable and wants to get rid of the baby. She tries to perform an abortion by drinking gin and taking a hot bath. The attempt fails, and she decides to keep the baby. The pregnancy is now a punishement for her puritanical live. Many times she thinks about calling George, but she doesn’t do it.
A few months later, when the pregnancy is visible, she tells it to her friends. Joe en Roger each have their opinion about it. Joe thinks she should get rid of the baby, but Roger wants to marry her and take care of the baby. Rosamund decides not to tell her parents about the baby. She also doesn’t want her brother, Andrew, to know. She hopes her elder sister, Beatrice, will understand the situation, after all, she is the mother of three children. So Rodamund writes her a letter. Beatrice’s answer wasn’t supportive, she wants Rosamund to have the baby removed, or at least be adopted after birth.
Lydia Reynolds, a friend of hers and between jobs, moves in with her. Rosamund doesn’t charge her any rent, because Lydia is a good help with the houskeeping, and she will help her with the baby.
Rosamund works hard to finish her thesis before the baby arrives. One night, when she’s working her typewriter, she sees a sheet of Lydia’s new book. It seems like Lydia is writing about Rosamund’s life, without even telling her. Before Rosamund has a chance to talk about it with Lydia, her contractions start. The ambulance arrives just when Lydia arrives at home. Rosamund doesn’t want her to go with her to the hospital, so Lydia wishes her all the best.
At the hospital she is not treated very well. Sure, a nurse has given her some penicillin, but none of them is really paying any attention to her. The nurses are just chatting. When finaly someone is taking care of her the baby is borne. Rosamund is very happy, and loves the little baby at once. Finally she discovers what love is really like. They have a good time at the hospital, Lydia comes to visit her almost every night, every time accompanied by one of Rosamunds friends. Together they choose the name of the child: Octavia.
By the time Rosamund comes home, Lydia has found someone to babysit two days a week, Mrs. Jennings. Very soon Rosamund is used to working again, and taking care of Octavia’s education.
A couple of months later Octavia becomes ill. Rosamund doesn’t think it is necessary to call a doctor, but Lydia convinces her. The doctor comes to visit suspects there is a problem with the heart. The doctor that takes care of and recommends that Octavia should be further examined at the hospital. He Octavia is Dick Protheroe. Mr. Potheroe seems to be an aquaintance of Rosamund’s parents. Octavia is operated on and will be fine. Rosamund only has to be concerned when Octavia catching a cold, so she must try to avoid that.
On Christmas eve’, Ocatavia is ill, and needs penicillin. Rosamund goes to the pharmacy and meets George. They start talking, and Rosamund invites him for a drink at her place. She talks about the baby, but doesn’t tell him she ’s his daughter. George thinks Octavia is a beautiful daughter, and Rosamund a wonderful mother. Even when George is leaving he doesn’t know that he ’s the father of Octavia. Rosamund lets him go.