Doris Lessing

Date of Birth: October 22, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 17, 2013

Biography

Doris Lessing was a British-Zimbabwean novelist, poet, playwright, and biographer. She was born Doris May Tayler on October 22, 1919, in Kermanshah, Persia (now Iran). Her family moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) when she was five years old, and she spent her formative years there. Lessing left school at the age of 14 and was largely self-educated through avid reading. Her early works focused on her African experiences, with her debut novel, “The Grass Is Singing” (1950), garnering critical acclaim. Lessing is perhaps best known for her series of novels collectively known as “The Children of Violence,” which includes “Martha Quest” and “A Proper Marriage.” Her 1962 novel “The Golden Notebook” is considered a seminal work of feminist literature and has been highly influential in the field. Lessing’s career spanned over 60 years, during which she wrote more than 50 books, including novels, short stories, plays, and non-fiction works. She received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007. Lessing passed away on November 17, 2013, in London, England, leaving behind a legacy of profound and provocative literary work.

5 Interesting Facts about Doris Lessing

1. Doris Lessing was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007 at the age of 88, making her the oldest recipient at the time.

2. Her novel “The Golden Notebook” is considered a pioneering work in feminist literature.

3. Lessing was initially a member of the Communist Party but later became disillusioned with it and left in the 1950s.

4. She published two novels under the pseudonym Jane Somers to demonstrate the difficulties new authors face in getting published.

5. Lessing’s diverse literary output includes science fiction, as seen in her “Canopus in Argos” series.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Doris Lessing

1. “Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.”

2. “Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.”

3. “I think the novel is at its best when it is trying to make you an insider in a world that is not your own.”

4. “Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.”

5. “There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Doris Lessing’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Doris Lessing had three children. Her first two children, John and Jean, were from her first marriage to Frank Wisdom. Her third child, Peter, was from her second marriage to Gottfried Lessing.