A Lesson on Lessing

A Lesson on Lessing

I am a college student attending Franklin Pierce University in southern New Hampshire. The academic major that I am working toward achieving is English with a Creative Writing concentration. As part of an Introduction to British Literature course, I was assigned, over the course of the semester, to construct a research project on an author of my choice, and further more, discuss the time period during which they were producing literature, as well as the common response to the author's works. I have designed this webpage in an attempt to briefly educate viewers on the life of Doris Lessing, and on being a contemporary writer.

Below, please find additional websites that may be of further assisstance.

New York Times Article

Biography of a Contemporary Writer

Contemporary Literature
As English Literature continues to permeate internationally, the realistic novel begins to level-out, fact and fiction become more closely linked, and 'Magic Realism', or the inclusion of episodes of symbolic fantasy in realist narrative. Contemporary literature is literature's reaction to contemporary issues, conflicts, or concerns.

"Some people obtain fame, others deserve it."

"Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself." - Doris Lessing

In a world emursed in media and television, contemporary writers are faced with the difficulty of encouraging society to, once again, satisfy their liking of story or drama through literature.

Doris Lessing, a contemporary writer, has proved to be a powerful author of dozens of works belonging to the following genres: Essays, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Science Fiction, Libretto, Short Stories, and an Autobiography.

As a result of Lessing's talent, hardwork, and determination, she has received the following awards:

Somerset Maugham Award (1954)
Booker Prize for Fiction (1971; Briefing for a Descent into Hell)
Prix Medicis (1976, France; The Golden Notebook)
Austrian State Prize for European Literature (1981)
Booker Prize for Fiction (1981; The Sirian Experiments)
Shakespeare Prize (1982; Germany)
Booker Prize for Fiction (1985; The Good Terrorist)
WH Smith Literary Award (1985; The Good Terrorist)
Primio Grinzane Cavour (1989, Italy)
James Tate Black Memorial Prize (1995; Under My Skin)
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (1995; Under My Skin)
Companion of Honour (1999; British Government)
Primio Internacional, Cataluna (1999, Spain)
David Cohen British Literature Prize (2001)
Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature (2001, Spain)
Man Booker International Prize (2005, 2007)
Nobel Prize for Literature (2007)

References

Alexander, Michael. A History of English Literature. New York: St. Martin's P, 2000. 376-381.

"Doris Lessing." British Council. 2007. 13 Dec. 2007 <http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth60>.

"Doris Lessing Quotes." About.Com. 13 Dec. 2007 <http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/doris_lessing.htm>.