Oak Tree Fine Press

On Not Winning the Nobel Prize

Doris Lessing

Nobel Prize in Literature 2007

Finalist in the British Book Awards

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"We have a bequest of stories, tales from the old storytellers, some of whose names we know, but some not. The storytellers go back and back, to a clearing in the forest where a great fire burns, and the old shamans dance and sing, for our heritage of stories began in fire, magic, the spirit world. And that is where it is held, today."

Printed letter press and signed by the author, this magnificent illustrated volume contains the full text of the lecture presented by Doris Lessing to the Swedish Academy following her acceptance of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2007.

The lecture offers a fascinating journey through the thoughts of this inspirational and pioneering writer. Lessing has combined personal recollections and vivid imagery with an exploration of key challenges faced by contemporary modern society, such as poverty, inequality and a fragmenting culture. The result is a deeply moving testament to the permanent importance of literature.

"The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2007 is awarded to the English writer Doris Lessing, that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny."
Professor Horace Engdahl, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy

First letter press volume

This book is our first letter press volume, produced with painstaking care by Phil Abel and everyone at Hand and Eye Press in London, using a traditional cast iron Heidelberg Press.

Artwork

Abigail Rorer, of The Lone Oak Press has created the artwork for this volume. Her specially commissioned wood engravings have been used to create patterned paper unique to this edition, and she has also created the frontispiece - a wood engraved portrait of Doris Lessing.

Details

This book is published as a signed edition of 176 slip cased books, printed on Zerkall mould made paper with deckled edges.

The Leather Edition

Only 26 copies of this book (lettered A to Z) are available in full calfskin.

Enclosed in a felt-lined slip case to protect the leather, these letter press volumes incorporate specially created matching endpapers featuring wood engravings by Abigail Rorer, inspired by the text.

Signed by the author.

Price: ₤500

The Quarter bound edition

150 numbered hand bound slip cased letter press volumes quarter bound in green cloth on patterned boards created using Abigail Rorer wood engravings inspired by Doris Lessing's lecture.

Signed by the author.

Price: ₤250