Doris Lessing has died

[hackmum]

www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/17/doris-lessing-dies-94

Very sad. Am a huge fan.

Oh me too.

I love Doris and all her works.

Oh how sad.

Am another fan of hers - an amazing writer.

Her work was a real inspiration to me, a foundation to my way through life

I was fortunate enough to meet her once, briefly, a long time ago. She was lovely.

I saw this on the news earlier and thought that I should get some of her books out and re-read them.

RIP

I'm sorry to hear that, I've really enjoyed those books of hers that I've read.

very sad.
I actually met her without realising a few years ago. we lived in her part of town.
she seemed very nice (and she complemented me on my baby dc).

Oh, how sad. I am a fan too.

She had a very significant impact on me as a teenager.

Amazing writer and an inspiring feminist too.

94 years, 50 novels and a nobel prize. Well done, that woman.

She is a legend, sad news.

Indeed.

What a fucking brilliant achievement.

Envious of those who met her - I always wanted to, but never did. She did always seem a bit intimidating, though, when I saw her speak in public.

My favourites? There are so many, but I loved The Golden Notebook, the Martha Quest series, The Good Terrorist and her two volumes of autobiography. There are also two non-fiction books that are very funny - the one about cats and one called In Pursuit of the English, about her initial impressions of London in the 50s. I don't normally think of Lessing as being a humorous writer so these are a real surprise.

I've never read one of her books (although 'the grass is singing' and 'the golden notebook' have been in my wish list forever.

Any fans recommend a book of hers to start with?

I am gutted! For so long I wanted to write her a letter, telling her just how much she meant to me, and I never got it together. She is much loved by all the women in my family. And Cameltoe, I would recommend the Canopus in Argos: Archives series, the first of which is Shikasta. This is actually science fiction, but it allows you to see her at her most insightful, radical, moving and humorous. It's a series of books to just get completely lost in (permission to leave rigour and analysis to one side and just allow yourself to be laid open to the Lessing-effect...), and come out feeling like you've just been washed clean somehow; intellect, heart and spirit. You have such a wonderful discovery ahead of you!

I love her books. I feel so sad - I cant write anymore.

lookatmycameltoe - The Good Terrorist is a cracking read. I think if I were you I might start with Martha Quest, as there are five books in the series and if you like the first one you can read the others!

yy to Canopus in Argos, less known than the rest, but brilliant.

DP is writing a thesis on her at the moment. I'd never heard if her before, but she's become quite a part of our lives over the past few months We raised a glass to her Monday night. Will definitely take some of the recommended reads from here.