Nobel? What Nobel?
Posted on Nov 3rd, 2007
by 
Sandra
Sandra
Doris Lessing recently won the 2007 Nobel prize for Literature. She is 87.
Doris Lessing
Other reports say: "... she said, "I had forgotten about it actually," and that as the persistent sound of her phone ringing came from inside the house, Ms. Lessing said that on second thought, she was not as surprised “because this has been going on for something like 40 years,” referring to the number of times she has been mentioned as a likely honoree. “Either they were going to give it to me sometime before I popped off or not at all.”
After a few moments, Ms. Lessing, who is stout, sharp and a bit hard of hearing, excused herself to go inside. “Now I’m going to go in to answer my telephone,” she said. “I swear I’m going upstairs to find some suitable sentences, which I will be using from now on.”"
Well. I think she is just wonderful for all that, and for much else.
Here are a few quotes attributed to her:
"And then, not expecting it, you become middle-aged and anonymous. No one notices you. You achieve a wonderful freedom."A personal favorite, given my choice of career (see Diving Deeper):
"Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so."
"For the last third of life there remains only work. It alone is always stimulating, rejuvenating, exciting and satisfying."
"I have found it to be true that the older I've become the better my life has become. "
"All sanity depends on this: that it should be a delight to feel heat strike the skin, a delight to stand upright, knowing the bones are moving easily under the flesh."
"I don't know much about creative writing programs. But they're not telling the truth if they don't teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life, to be a writer."
life
Access: Public
creative writing
August 2008 
she's been there ever since I can think back. the Golden Notebook, I remember, got my best friend really excited and enthusiastic, but I never got over the first couple of pages. I don't think I ever read anything by Doris Lessing, but I remember I tried a couple of times because she's so THERE, always has been.
some writers, I suppose, we have to come to a certain point in our lives to be able to enjoy - and some are just not our kind of thing. I'm not sure about her yet, I'll give it another try now that she's so present with the Nobel prize.
because, on the other hand I remember several occasions when I wanted to read a book again that I used to love years ago and was really disappointed. the magic gone, the writing flat, impossible to recall what it was that I so loved about them when I first read them.
things change, we change, my perception on writing and what 'works' for me in writing keeps changing all the time. the more I write and comment on writing of others, the deeper I become able to appreciate the work of others that touches me. and what touches me changes, too.
and then, of course, there are my loved ones, eternal joy and delight, like To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Catcher In The Rye, or some of my German classics (modern classics!)… I can't imagine them to ever not be among my favorites anymore - some things don't change…
I know for many people Doris Lessing stands in that line.
there's a link I want to share and also put out on Diving Deeper, otter passed it on to me.
CBC Radio, Writers & Company has a once a week broadcast of a radio program on writers, each monday they put the newest podcast online. there's one about Doris Lessing, with interview. go on Audio and there are the last four podcasts of the program.
quote:
Writers & Company offers an opportunity to explore in depth the lives, thoughts and works of remarkable writers from around the world.
“Eleanor Wachtel is a tremendous interviewer: for the spaces she leaves; for the vast knowledge she has; for being approachable and easygoing, but at the same time always being ready and able to dive off into questions - of living and of writing and of Books Themselves - and helping her interviewees be comfortable and engaged enough to dive right along with her,” writes one Writers & Company listener. “There's certainly no show like it.”
:)
Great link, thanks Gabriele.
I haven't read that much by her, but I loved The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five and I think you would too…