 The author talks about the impact of her novel, The Golden Notebook.
In a special programme to mark the landmark novel, The Golden Notebook, Jenni talks to its author, Doris Lessing, about the book’s reception and interpretation – and about why, after all these years, she still gets cross when it’s referred to as 'feminist'. We also hear from some of our listeners about what the book has meant to them.
The distinguished literary critic, Elaine Showalter, and the novelist and journalist Melissa Benn join Jenni in the studio to discuss the book’s impact at the time, and since – and to consider whether its 'feminist bible' status is either accurate or merited. And, as The Golden Notebook is often described by women as a book that 'changed their lives', we'll also be considering whether fiction really can have such a profound effect. Lionel Shriver, author of We Need to Talk About Kevin, which has been described as a book that changed the way women thought about having children, joins the debate.
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing is published by Harper Perennial - ISBN 978-0-00-724720-2 |
