DL/A-Z//COSG/1 - [Correspondence with Simon Cosgrove: 1980s]

DL/A-Z//COSG/1

Sub-file

[Correspondence with Simon Cosgrove: 1980s]

22/10/1987-28/02/1988

3 Letters (typescript and MS)

Cosgrove, Simon

001-003 are letters from Simon Cosgrove to Doris Lessing.

In 001 Cosgrove describes life in Zimbabwe, to which he has just moved. He discusses teaching and languages, with reference to the Russian course he took with Lessing. He compares Zimbabwe to South Africa and discusses the urban/rural divide and gender. He describes experiences of cultural alienation and assimilation. Lessing hand writes "Reply. 28.10.87"

In 002 Cosgrove discusses personal relationship matters in some depth. [GDPR] He also critiques the film Cry Freedom in the context of representation of people of colour. Discusses Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston and the weather. Asks Lessing questions about writing.

In 003 Cosgrove narrates a series of misfortunes in which a snake kills his cat's litter of kittens, his house is robbed, he does not receive his salary, his bag – including valuable documents – is stolen and his replacement glass windows are destroyed. "Some of the things that have happened recently are rather sad and some are a bit annoying. And as for myself I'm fine. I don't even have diarrhoea."