DL/A-Z//COWP - [Correspondence with John Cowper]

DL/A-Z//COWP

File

[Correspondence with John Cowper]

2001-2003

3 Letters (typescript and MS)
5 Poem

Cowper, John

8 items, some highlighted. Includes 5 of John Cowper's poems, one of which titled 'Was Doris Lessing Right?' (item 007).

DL/A-Z//COWP/001 [from John Cowper to Doris Lessing, 28/01/2001]

Letter, 3 leaves, typed.
Discusses 'African Laughter'. Mentions Zanla and Mugadazi. Questions Lessing's racial commentary, writing that he thinks she is "unfair and inaccurate". Mentions the Selous Scouts and reasons that he believes Lessing's comment on them was not accurate. Believes Lessing should write an addendum to her book. Writes that he doesn't agree with her politics but does think that it was "very brave" of her to be a communist in 1950's Rhodesia.

DL/A-Z//COWP/008 [from John Cowper to Doris Lessing, 30/04/2003]

Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
Discusses Robert Mugabe, and disagrees with Lessing's analysis that he is a "frightened little man". Discusses the politics of prison, and the varying treatment of prison inmates. Mentions The Grass is Singing. Suggests that Lessing adds a chapter to 'African Laughter' about a more recent visit to Zimbabwe, and that this addition would turn it into "a great and very important book".