DL/A-Z//ALD/2 - [Correspondence with Brian Aldiss, 1990-1992]
Reference code
DL/A-Z//ALD/2
Level of description
Sub-file
Title
[Correspondence with Brian Aldiss, 1990-1992]
Date/s
20/08/1990-02/10/1992
Quantity & Format
7 Letters (typescript)
2 Postcards
2 Postcards
Creator
Aldiss, Brian
Scope and content
[1990]
007 is a letter from Margaret and Brian W Aldiss to Doris Lessing, with an invitation and promotional material for a surprise party. Margaret and Brian thank Lessing for attending a surprise party for Brian, and contributing to the book A Is For Brian. The promotional material mentions contributions from Kingsley Amis, J.G. Ballard, Michael Moorcock, Christopher Priest, Hilary Rubinstein.
[1991]
008 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing inviting her to join a delegation of intellectuals on a trip to Chengdu, China. Aldiss makes oblique reference to the Chinese political situation: “Chengdu is a long way from Beijing (almost a thousand miles); its political climate is milder and it is actively seeking to build bridges with the West.” He mentions Felix Greene. Invited guests include David Attenborough, J.G. Ballard, William Boyd, Margaret Drabble, Penelope Lively and Iris Murdoch.
009 is a reply from Lessing to Aldiss. She refuses his invitation “for the most boring reason in the world. Political.” She mentions human rights abuses in China, and recalls visiting the USSR under Stalin. She states she has become “wary of accepting invitations from tyrannical places.” She mentions the British Council.
010 is a reply from Aldiss to Lessing, accepting her refusal and discussing travelling in the USSR. He discusses Chinese poetry and Felix Greene. “But I’ll send you a p.c. from one of the nuclear testing sites.” Lessing hand writes at the bottom: “No alas, alas, alas” Attached is a poem by Aldiss entitled “The Poor”.
[1992]
011 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing, attempting to assuage her guilt for planning to visit China. Mentions Margaret Drabble, Jung Chang’s Wild Swans and Arthur Waley.
012 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing. He describes visiting Kuala Lumpur. He refers to a letter from Lessing [missing] as follows: “The book you propose [possibly a science fiction short-story collection] sounds like a good idea. But you ought to have something of yours in it.” Mentions The Fifth Child, Lorna Sage and David Lodge. Discusses raising the profile of science fiction. Mentions The Oxford Book of Science Fiction Stories.
013 and 014 are postcards from Aldiss to Lessing. He describes his trip around Malaysia. In reply to a question from Lessing, he answers “The story of mine you’re thinking of sounds like “Who Can Replace a Man”” Refers to Lessing’s forthcoming trips to Zimbabwe and China.
015 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing. He asks about Lessing’s recent trip to Zimbabwe. He asks if he can dedicate his novel Remembrance Day to Lessing.
007 is a letter from Margaret and Brian W Aldiss to Doris Lessing, with an invitation and promotional material for a surprise party. Margaret and Brian thank Lessing for attending a surprise party for Brian, and contributing to the book A Is For Brian. The promotional material mentions contributions from Kingsley Amis, J.G. Ballard, Michael Moorcock, Christopher Priest, Hilary Rubinstein.
[1991]
008 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing inviting her to join a delegation of intellectuals on a trip to Chengdu, China. Aldiss makes oblique reference to the Chinese political situation: “Chengdu is a long way from Beijing (almost a thousand miles); its political climate is milder and it is actively seeking to build bridges with the West.” He mentions Felix Greene. Invited guests include David Attenborough, J.G. Ballard, William Boyd, Margaret Drabble, Penelope Lively and Iris Murdoch.
009 is a reply from Lessing to Aldiss. She refuses his invitation “for the most boring reason in the world. Political.” She mentions human rights abuses in China, and recalls visiting the USSR under Stalin. She states she has become “wary of accepting invitations from tyrannical places.” She mentions the British Council.
010 is a reply from Aldiss to Lessing, accepting her refusal and discussing travelling in the USSR. He discusses Chinese poetry and Felix Greene. “But I’ll send you a p.c. from one of the nuclear testing sites.” Lessing hand writes at the bottom: “No alas, alas, alas” Attached is a poem by Aldiss entitled “The Poor”.
[1992]
011 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing, attempting to assuage her guilt for planning to visit China. Mentions Margaret Drabble, Jung Chang’s Wild Swans and Arthur Waley.
012 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing. He describes visiting Kuala Lumpur. He refers to a letter from Lessing [missing] as follows: “The book you propose [possibly a science fiction short-story collection] sounds like a good idea. But you ought to have something of yours in it.” Mentions The Fifth Child, Lorna Sage and David Lodge. Discusses raising the profile of science fiction. Mentions The Oxford Book of Science Fiction Stories.
013 and 014 are postcards from Aldiss to Lessing. He describes his trip around Malaysia. In reply to a question from Lessing, he answers “The story of mine you’re thinking of sounds like “Who Can Replace a Man”” Refers to Lessing’s forthcoming trips to Zimbabwe and China.
015 is a letter from Aldiss to Lessing. He asks about Lessing’s recent trip to Zimbabwe. He asks if he can dedicate his novel Remembrance Day to Lessing.
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DL - Doris Lessing Archive
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DL/2008 - Doris Lessing Archive 2008 deposit
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DL/A-Z - [A-Z Correspondence of Doris Lessing]
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DL/A-Z//ALD - [Correspondence with Brian Aldiss]
- DL/A-Z//ALD/2 - [Correspondence with Brian Aldiss, 1990-1992]
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DL/A-Z//ALD - [Correspondence with Brian Aldiss]
-
DL/A-Z - [A-Z Correspondence of Doris Lessing]
-
DL/2008 - Doris Lessing Archive 2008 deposit