Doris Lessing, the Persian-born, Rhodesian-raised and London-residing novelist whose deeply autobiographical writing has swept across continents and reflects her deep feminist engagement with the major social and political issues, won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature today.

Announcing the award in Stockholm, the Swedish Academy described her as “that epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny.” The award comes with a 10 million Swedish crown honorarium, about $1.6 million.

From the New York Times

Doris Lessing who will be 88 years old later this month, said she should have won the Nobel Prize for Literature years ago, because she has been mentioned on many occasions as being worthy of the highly esteemed literary honour since 40 years ago.

Why did it take the Nobel Prize Committee decades to honour her for what they have called epicist of the female experience?

How can Lady Doris Lessing honour all the invitations to speak on her unique writings when she is already a weak old woman who would need more hands to attend to her daily needs at home and to escort her whenever she is going outdoors.

The Nobel Prize Committee has given the prize to writers who should not have won it before Doris Lessing. In fact, there are two previous winners who did not deserve the Nobel Prize for literature. And I have my doubts about the intellectual integrity of the Nobel Prize Committee responsible for awarding the most celebrated literary prize.

I thank God that Doris Lessing is still alive to receive this honour that she would have missed.

Recommended:
The Grandmothers: Four Short Novels (Paperback)

Shikasta: Re, Colonised Planet 5 (George Sherban Emissary) (Paperback)

Book Description:

A disturbing allegory, centered around a planet called Shikasta, which bears remarkable similarities to Earth. Through time, a higher planet, Canopus, has documented the progress of Shikasta and tried to distract its inhabitants from the evil influence of the planet Shammat, but the Shikastans continue to hurl themselves toward annihilation.


The next writer who deserves the Nobel Prize for Literature is Prof. Chinua Achebe, for his great contributions to the literary culture of Africa.

Other Books By Doris Lessing:

1. Canopus in Argos
Author: Doris Lessing;

2. The Golden Notebook
Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $10.85

3. The Grandmothers
Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $11.86

4. Shikasta
Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $19.00

5. Under My Skin
Author: Doris May Lessing;

6. Learning How to Learn
Author: Idries Shah, Doris Lessing; Buy New: $12.48

7. The Fifth Child
Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $10.16

8. The Sirian Experiments
Author: Doris Lessing;

9. The Diaries of Jane Somers
Author: Doris Lessing;

[size=14pt] CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REVIEWS OF DORIS LESSING'S BOOKS[/size].

Didn't her formal education end when she was thirteen? Remarkable.

Never read any of her books though.

I will come back to her genius later.