November 20th marked the passing of the wonderful and prolific writer Doris Lessing. Lessing was born in modern day Iran to British colonials in 1919. After leaving school at 14, she set out to self-educate herself with books. Reading and writing would become her calling and her lifeblood. Lessing wrote in multiple genres from multiple points of view, she had the gift of being able to see the world through the eyes of others and to draw the reader into this alternate world as well. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007. Her beautiful and moving acceptance speech can be read here. Many had much praise for the author, something she was loathe to accept, preferring to have critics and dignitaries keep the pomp and circumstance to themselves.
The Library carries many of Doris Lessing’s books; they are on display on the first floor.