Congratulations, Doris Lessing

What a great surprise that the Nobel Committee has selected Doris Lessing as this year's recipient! I read The Golden Notebook and much of her work many years ago, before a career put an end to much leisure reading. I checked one book after another out of the library, in awe of her great gift to bring Africa and later on England and her characters to life. The Science Fiction I never read, not being a sci-fi buff. That seems to be something either you are or are not, although I do love William Gibson's work. There's always an exception.

Lessing was writing about women, not the liberation of women, but the struggle of a woman to become a whole person. Apparently that is still controversial. The sniping pisses me off. Sunday, (I think) The New York times printed an earlier essay of hers that was brilliant.

And while we're handing out accolades, three cheers for Al Gore, another soul who has the courage of his convictions. There's a phrase one doesn't often hear anymore. We should all have the courage of our convictions.

Thanks, Doris and Al, for showing us how.