Oh Christ. I couldn't care less. ... I can't say I'm overwhelmed with surprise. I'm 88 years old and they can't give the Nobel to someone who's dead, so I think they were probably thinking they'd probably better give it to me now before I've popped off.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lessing reflects on receiving the Nobel Prize with dry humor and self-awareness about her age.
- In plain terms
- She jokes the committee gave her the award quickly because she is old.
- What can you take from it?
- Meet accolades with humor and perspective.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle recognition?
- What matters more than awards?
Another view
Not everyone appreciates self-deprecating humor about awards.
More from Doris Lessing
This has been going on for 30 years. I've won all the prizes in Europe, every bloody one, so I'm delighted to win them all. It's a royal flush.
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