Oct
17
2007
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.
Thanks for the YouTube clip, I needed the laugh!
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.
Here’s a great article on Lessing’s reaction, Janine (I’m so excited those shortcut tabs are back — thanks, Jane!)
Thanks for linking Robin; it is a great article. I thought this part was hilarious: