Doris Lessing
A file photo taken in November 1984 shows British writer Doris Lessing and her cat in their London flat. Lessing won 11 October 2007 the Nobel Literature Prize for five decades of epic novels that have covered feminism, politics as well her youth in Africa. Lessing, who will be 88 next week, is only the 11th woman to have won the prize since it was first awarded in 1901 and only the third since 1996. The Swedish Academy described Lessing as 'that epicist of the female experience who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny.' AFP PHOTO/PRESSENS BILD (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)