DL/A-Z//YOUNG G - [Correspondence with typist Gertrude Young]
Reference code
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G
Level of description
File
Title
[Correspondence with typist Gertrude Young]
Date/s
1983-1984
Quantity & Format
16 Letters (typescript)
Creator
Young, GertrudeCreator
Lessing, Doris May, 1919-2013
Scope and content
16 items, some highlighted. Correspondence between Lessing and Gertrude Young, a literary typist, regarding the typing of The Good Terrorist. Most of Lessing's replies to Young are missing.
The first exchanges between Young and Lessing/Somers (001-004) sees Lessing employing Young's services for the novel that will be published 'The Good Terrorist'. Issues discussed later in this correspondence include: the use of electricity in the novel, how Lessing references the police, and how Lessing views her protagonist, Alice. Young also gives Lessing editorial advice, and Lessing takes a few of these on board, making changes to her drafts.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/001 [from Gertrude Young to Jane Somers (Doris Lessing), 21/06/1983]
Letter, 2 leaves, typed.
Young writes to Jane Somers to offer her typing services for Somers' upcoming novel, 'Diary of a Good Neighbour'. Gives her pricing charges and lists her experience.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/002 [from Doris Lessing to Gertrude Young, 29/04/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
Writes to Young to inquire about her services, as she has a "novel about 90,000 words" (what is later to be known as 'The Good Terrorist') that she needs typed and edited.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/003 [from Gertrude Young to Doris Lessing, 02/05/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
Agrees to take on the proposed work, a "pleasant challenge". Asks how Lessing came about her services, implying that she is unaware of Lessing's pseudonym, Jane Somers.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/004 [from Gertrude Young to Doris Lessing, 04/05/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
References Lessing's reply (missing) that divulges Lessing's "double identity". Agrees to keep it strictly confidential and assures Lessing that she will not raise her fees.
The first exchanges between Young and Lessing/Somers (001-004) sees Lessing employing Young's services for the novel that will be published 'The Good Terrorist'. Issues discussed later in this correspondence include: the use of electricity in the novel, how Lessing references the police, and how Lessing views her protagonist, Alice. Young also gives Lessing editorial advice, and Lessing takes a few of these on board, making changes to her drafts.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/001 [from Gertrude Young to Jane Somers (Doris Lessing), 21/06/1983]
Letter, 2 leaves, typed.
Young writes to Jane Somers to offer her typing services for Somers' upcoming novel, 'Diary of a Good Neighbour'. Gives her pricing charges and lists her experience.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/002 [from Doris Lessing to Gertrude Young, 29/04/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
Writes to Young to inquire about her services, as she has a "novel about 90,000 words" (what is later to be known as 'The Good Terrorist') that she needs typed and edited.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/003 [from Gertrude Young to Doris Lessing, 02/05/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
Agrees to take on the proposed work, a "pleasant challenge". Asks how Lessing came about her services, implying that she is unaware of Lessing's pseudonym, Jane Somers.
DL/A-Z//YOUNG G/004 [from Gertrude Young to Doris Lessing, 04/05/1984]
Letter, 1 leaf, typed.
References Lessing's reply (missing) that divulges Lessing's "double identity". Agrees to keep it strictly confidential and assures Lessing that she will not raise her fees.
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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]
- DL/A-Z//YOUNG G - [Correspondence with typist Gertrude Young]
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DL/A-Z - [A-Z Correspondence of Doris Lessing]
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DL/2008 - Doris Lessing Archive 2008 deposit