Time Bites

“A generous and pleasurable collection. . . . Vibrant and illuminating, with quotable lines on every page. . . . [Lessing is] a superb essayist: lucid, wise, knowledgeable, and witty.”— Booklist

In this collection of the very best of Doris Lessing’s essays we are treated to the wisdom and keen insight of a writer who has learned, over the course of a brilliant career, to read the world differently. From imagining the secret sex life of Tolstoy to the secrets of Sufism, from reviews of classic books to commentaries on world politics, these essays span an impressive range of subjects, cultures, periods, and themes, yet they are remarkably consistent in one key regard: Lessing’s clear-eyed vision and clearly-expressed prose. But in its breadth and precision Time Bites is more: it is also a map of the human spirit and an intimate diagram of the mind of one of our greatest living writers.

What makes Doris Lessing one of the most vital thinkers of our time?

• Literary Criticism: Lessing turns her legendary critical eye on figures like Jane Austen, D.H. Lawrence, and Tolstoy, revealing the hidden currents in their lives and work.
• Political Essays: Unflinching commentary on world events, from the tragedy of Zimbabwe to the aftermath of 9/11 and the pervasive nature of censorship.
• The Sufi Tradition: A rare glimpse into the practical philosophy and poetry of Sufism, exploring how this ancient tradition meets the modern world.
• On the Craft of Writing: Personal reflections on the art of writing, the challenges of autobiography, and the books that shape a writer’s mind.