The Nobel Prize in Literature. The pinnacle of international success. The best thing that could ever happen to a writer. Right?
Doris Lessing disagrees.
Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing has said winning the prestigious award in 2007 had been a “bloody disaster”. The increased media interest in her has meant that writing a full novel was next to impossible, she told Radio 4’s Front Row. Lessing, 88, also said she would probably now be giving up writing novels altogether. [...] Since her Nobel win she has been constantly in demand, she said. “All I do is give interviews and spend time being photographed.”
Admittedly, she also cites her age as contributing to her slowdown, but still, constant media attention is not conducive to sitting alone for long hours, staring at the computer screen.
Also, why the hell are they giving it to her for being an ‘epicist of the female experience’? Why was Saul Bellow allowed to be awarded it for ‘human understanding’? Oh, right, male experiene = universal. Grumble.
The downside of fame is that everyone wants you to be famous
The Nobel Prize in Literature. The pinnacle of international success. The best thing that could ever happen to a writer. Right?
Doris Lessing disagrees.
Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing has said winning the prestigious award in 2007 had been a “bloody disaster”. The increased media interest in her has meant that writing a full novel was next to impossible, she told Radio 4’s Front Row. Lessing, 88, also said she would probably now be giving up writing novels altogether. [...] Since her Nobel win she has been constantly in demand, she said. “All I do is give interviews and spend time being photographed.”
Admittedly, she also cites her age as contributing to her slowdown, but still, constant media attention is not conducive to sitting alone for long hours, staring at the computer screen.
Also, why the hell are they giving it to her for being an ‘epicist of the female experience’? Why was Saul Bellow allowed to be awarded it for ‘human understanding’? Oh, right, male experiene = universal. Grumble.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
- awards and prizes
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on May 11, 2008 at 8:35 am Leave a CommentTags: bbc, doris lessing, noble prize, radio 4, saul bellow
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