Comments on: Doris Lessing

By: Frederic C.

Frederic C. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:13:59 +0000

Thank you Tom Ashbrook for introducing me to Doris Lessing. What an inspiring mind!

Imagine-a world without the experience of ‘The Great War.’

What unnecessary calamity may we avoid if only ……

Niall Ferguson’s “The War of the Worlds” helped open my eyes to the horrors of war. It’s probably that I am more willing to face our past.

Growing up, I used to be entirely turned off by history and different world views and cultures. Now that I am in my mid-thirties, it seems like the most interesting things are our differences and stories of people’s lives.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:51:24 +0000

What a thoroughly nutty and charming lady! She goes on a public forum and calls her own mother a neurotic and then chastises sixties’ feminists as being too mean-spirited.

I can’t say that I think there’s anything wrong with this but that said, she does definitely epitomize the weird combination of politeness and bluntness that typifies Brits especially of a certain age.

By: Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:56:53 +0000

I would like to congratulate Ms Lessing for her wonderful contribution to English Literature.I particularly enjoyed the Canopus series which I devoured one after the other last year. I would love to know a little about her inspiration for this series, which it seems to me, could well have some basis in fact

I am English but only began to read her books quite recently. I noticed that the series was not in print in USA and my copies were imported from UK.

Wishing her the best of of everything.

By: Sujatha Byravan

Sujatha Byravan — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:06:49 +0000

Why can’t I hear all the On Point shows on podcast? The one last week on Indian weddings was online, but not as a podcast. This one with Doris Lessing, is again, not on podcast.
Sujatha

By: blue betsey

blue betsey — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:10:27 +0000

... And let us not forget Martha Quest, A Proper Marriage, A Ripple From the Storm, Landlocked, and yes finally The Four Gated City.....the five of which comprise Doris Lessing's "Children of Violence" series which is of great social importance, now as much as then.....of timeless importance.....

By: Susanne

Susanne — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:27:05 +0000

Reading Doris Lessing’s Nobel Lecture was a very moving experience. Thank you for sharing it.

I was fortunate to grow up someplace with a good public library, and it changed my life profoundly. Is there any particular organization that Ms. Lessing recommends that sends books to people in less wealthy parts of the world and that takes into consideration what sorts of books the locals would actually like to read?

Thank you.

By: Carol Wade

Carol Wade — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:32:31 +0000

Thank you so much for this interview with Doris Lessing!

I have read many of her books, but I loved “African Stories” the best. The book actually fell apart from overuse!

Thanks!

By: Alicia Nabozny

Alicia Nabozny — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:54:14 +0000

Can you ask Ms Lessing, whom I’ve just begun reading and respect very much, as an almost 30-year old, unmarried, childless woman, who owns a business and works for a grant office and has gone to school and strives for happiness and self-sufficiency, what are the new responsibilities of women my age to my society, in her perspective? My parents have brought me up to accept responsibility but to do only what makes me happy.

By: kitty barber

kitty barber — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:37:22 +0000

Is there a way to find one of your short stories, “My Father”? This may not be the correct title, but I’ve had no luck.

Thanks,
Kitty

By: terry ward

terry ward — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:33:59 +0000

Please please ask Ms. Lessing to discuss The Four Gated City. This book shaped my perception of the world forever!!!!

Thanks!
Terry