Doris Lessing Wins the 2007 Nobel Literature Prize

In what came as a surprise to many information markets the Swedish Academy has awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature to British author Doris Lessing. The Academy called Lessing "an epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny." The Academy said her novel, The Golden Notebook, "belongs to the handful of books that informed the 20th century view of the male-female relationship."

The Prize was awarded to another Brit, Harold Pinter, in 2005 leading many to believe that Britain would have to wait at least a few years before another award went their way. But at 87 years old with an impressive body of work, Lessing is more than deserving.  The Guardian summed up her work this way:

"Prolific, intellectual and varied, Lessing is best known for The Golden Notebook, a key moment in both feminist writing and post-modern fragmentary narrative. She tackles themes of identity in varied settings: in terms of the thought processes of the main protagonists, her 'space fiction' quintet, The Sirian Experiments, is as deeply realistic as any of her more earth-bound novels. Her investigation into what she calls "inner space" and accepted definitions of sanity and insanity began with 1952's Martha Quest, the first book in the Children of Violence quintet; Mara and Dann imagines a future ice age. The critical verdict on Ben, in the World was less positive."

Themes that run through Lessing's writing include the Communist Theme, Psychological Theme and the Sufi Theme which incorporated science fiction. To critics of her delve into science fiction Lessing said:

"Science fiction is some of the best social fiction of our time."

Lessing was born in Khermanshah, Iran and left school at the age of 15. She has been married twice and has three children. In the year 2000, she was awarded the Companion of Honour which is bestowed by the Queen of England for excellence in the areas of arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry or religion. The number of current members can never exceed 65 and other recipients include Harold Pinter, Dame Judi Dench and Sir David Attenborough.

I was personally turned on to Lessing around the age of ten when my sister (may she rest in peace) came to me excitedly one day and said, "Muffin! You have to read this!" as she placed a copy of The Grass is Singing in my hands. It might be hard to find a copy of that particular book these days but as far as Lessing's writing goes, let me just say "You have to read this!"