Doris Lessing - Less Than Thrilled with Nobel Lit Prize

scarletpeaches said:

Better than a kick in the teeth, sure, but not the glittering prize I'm aiming for.

Click to expand...

Even better than a kick in the crotch with a frozen mukluk...but just barely.

I was actually thrilled yesterday when I watched the interview...I wish I could remember the website that had the live feed?

maestrowork said:

Easy for you to say, Snookum. I guess I grew up believing that the Nobel means you're the best of the best of the best in the whole wide world... sort of like an Olympic gold medal. I just don't think I would trivialize it like you do.

Click to expand...

Yes, it is easy for me to say, because I know what matters to me and the Nobel Prize isn't it. Maybe to you it means you're the best in the world, but to some people it's not a big deal.

Not bothering about something doesn't mean I'm trivialising it. It means I accept it matters to other people but I simply don't care. Other things matter more to me.

KTC said:

I'd be annoyed by the glare myself too. Kudos to her. I don't believe in grace...I really don't. If it happened to be, it would depend on the mood I was in that day. If it was a shit day, they'd get the same response. "Feck off...I'm weeding my garden."

Click to expand...

I think the Nobel committee just crossed you off the list.

It's fine by me if you both think the Nobel is just barely better than a kick in the nuts. To each his own, I suppose.

When I win my Nobel, I won't thank either of you.

BBC News article

Profile of Doris Lessing

I like her attitude. At least it's not gushing and "Oh my God! This is such an honour!" crying nonsense, a la Gwyneth Paltrow and (as has been mentioned) Sally Field.

Strange how not everyone seems to understand there are people in the world who can control their reactions on receiving an award.

maestrowork said:

I think the Nobel committee just crossed you off the list.

Click to expand...

They did that to Doris Lessing in the 60s too. She seems to have done all right.

I think people who just do are pretty cool. People who do for worship...screw them.

Tish Davidson said:

But you would think that at least she would be pleased that her work will stay in print and be essentially eternally available to future readers.

Click to expand...

Her work has been in print continuously for decades, and shows no sign of being otherwise. The Nobel doubtless helps some writers a great deal with a boost in publicity and popularity. It won't hurt, obviously, but it's probably not so much of a boost for Doris Lessing.

caw

I hate agreeing with the Spaz.

scarletpeaches said:

They did that to Doris Lessing in the 60s too. She seems to have done all right.

Click to expand...

Game, set, match, BABY.

scarletpeaches said:

I like her attitude. At least it's not gushing and "Oh my God! This is such an honour!" crying nonsense, a la Gwyneth Paltrow and (as has been mentioned) Sally Field.

Click to expand...

Just to clarify, being "graceful" about it doesn't mean you have to gush and go gaga and say, "You like me, you really really like me." Just so we understand each other.

A simple "thank you" would be just fine. Instead of saying, "oh, it's barely better than a kick in the teeth." Can we be a bit more disenchanted?

scarletpeaches said:

I hate agreeing with the Spaz.

Click to expand...

you have no idea the pain it causes me.

scarletpeaches said:

Yes, it is easy for me to say, because I know what matters to me and the Nobel Prize isn't it. Maybe to you it means you're the best in the world, but to some people it's not a big deal.

Not bothering about something doesn't mean I'm trivialising it. It means I accept it matters to other people but I simply don't care. Other things matter more to me.

Click to expand...

But think of all the haggis you could buy with that money.

caw

maestrowork said:

Just to clarify, being "graceful" about it doesn't mean you have to gush and go gaga and say, "You like me, you really really like me." Just so we understand each other.

A simple "thank you" would be just fine.

Click to expand...

She did express her thanks. She said she was very pleased.

scarletpeaches said:

She did express her thanks. She said she was very pleased.

Click to expand...

Great!

That's all I want to hear.

And just for the record, the prize I want is the Booker. Not as 'big' in some people's eyes, but it's the one I grew up watching. I read the shortlists, keep an eye on the longlists...each to their own, as has been said. That's the thing that would make me feel proud of myself.

Funny that she's causing such an uproar and she didn't even decline. "I'll take your money, ya pissants, but screw ya."

I laugh.

Remember Cohen:

In 1969, Leonard Cohen declined the Governor General's Literary Award for English Language Poetry (for his Selected Poems 1956-1968). Critics considered his refusal of the award an unpatriotic act but Cohen says it was simply a spontaneous gesture that felt right at the time.


he just felt like saying, "Um...no thanks."

I guess RayRay might say that was done with grace?

I think the two maybe share the same sentiment..."Who cares. I'm just doin' my thing."

Nobody runs out to the curb and presents the garbage man with a trophy for wonderful service...but the place would smell like shit if they didn't just do their thing.

maestrowork said:

Great!

That's all I want to hear.

Click to expand...

lol. Didn't you read the whole thing???

scarletpeaches said:

And just for the record, the prize I want is the Booker. Not as 'big' in some people's eyes, but it's the one I grew up watching. I read the shortlists, keep an eye on the longlists...each to their own, as has been said. That's the thing that would make me feel proud of myself.

Click to expand...

I just wanna be loved by you...


and nobody else but you...


booboobeeedooo.

blacbird said:

Her work has been in print continuously for decades, and shows no sign of being otherwise. The Nobel doubtless helps some writers a great deal with a boost in publicity and popularity. It won't hurt, obviously, but it's probably not so much of a boost for Doris Lessing.

caw

Click to expand...

It helped in this case, I'd never heard of her before.

scarletpeaches said:

And just for the record, the prize I want is the Booker. Not as 'big' in some people's eyes, but it's the one I grew up watching. I read the shortlists, keep an eye on the longlists...each to their own, as has been said. That's the thing that would make me feel proud of myself.

Click to expand...

To some of us, that's a "oh, big deal." Many people don't even know what a Booker is.

For me, it would be a Pulitzer -- at least it's feasible to win that. I've known at least two Pulitzer prize winners, and that's very cool.

Of course, I would love to have that Nobel trophy and the money. Oh yeah, wouldn't give away that $1.5 mil.

KTC said:

lol. Didn't you read the whole thing???

Click to expand...

Who in the name of Duck reads the whole thing?

I don't think I'd be eligible for a Pulitzer anyway. Do you have to be American, or living in America?

We cancel each other out, Ray, 'cause you're not eligible for the Booker if you have American citizenship, so ner ner ner ner ner!

I don't know what the Booker is either.

I just want to be published. I'm not even holding my breath on winning anything.

I would give away the prize money...to charity. If you're in that league, you don't need the money...in my opinion the money is a waste. Why lavish rich with money. I know, I know it happens all the time. Doesn't make it right.