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Oct 17, 2007

I am Woman, Hear Me Roar

Two of the most notable book awards have gone to female authors.

Doris Lessing, 82 year old novelist whose writing scope is so broad that she cannot be categorized in any fashion, won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The following is a video in which Lessing is told of her award to which she responds with disgust “Oh Christ.”

Anne Enright was awarded England's Man Booker Prize for Fiction for The Gathering in a surprise victory over favorites: Mister Pip, by Lloyd Jones and On Chesil Beach, by Ian McEwan. She looks pretty pleased with her prize.

Jane Litte

Jane Litte is the founder of Dear Author, a lawyer, and a lover of pencil skirts. She spends her downtime reading romances and writing about them. Her TBR pile is much larger than the one shown in the picture and not as pretty. You can reach Jane by email at jane @ dearauthor dot com

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4 Comments

Lila
Oct 17, 2007 @ 15:03:32

Thanks for the YouTube clip, I needed the laugh!
Janine
Oct 17, 2007 @ 15:18:17

It’s possible that Lessing may have been more annoyed with the media attention she was now going to receive, than disgusted with the Nobel Prize itself. Incidentally, although she’s considered an author of literary fiction, Lessing has also done some genre writing. I haven’t read it, but her Canopus in Argos series, written in the late seventies and early eighties, is comprised of five science fiction novels.
Robin
Oct 17, 2007 @ 15:48:19

Here’s a great article on Lessing’s reaction, Janine (I’m so excited those shortcut tabs are back — thanks, Jane!)
Janine
Oct 17, 2007 @ 18:30:57

Thanks for linking Robin; it is a great article. I thought this part was hilarious:

She acknowledged the $1.5 million cash award was a lot of money, but still seemed less than thrilled.

“I’m already thinking about all the people who are going to send me begging letters _ I can see them lining up now,” she said. The phone in her house, audible from the street, rang continuously.