STOCKHOLM, Oct 11: British writer Doris Lessing on Thursday won the Nobel Literature Prize for five decades of epic novels that have covered feminism and politics, as well as her youth in Africa.

Lessing, who will turn 88 on Oct 22, is the 11th woman to have won the prize since it was first awarded in 1901.

The Swedish Academy described the author of The Golden Notebook as “that epicist of the female experience who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny.”

Lessing was out shopping when the prize was announced and only learned the news several hours later when she returned to her London home and was met by a throng of journalists.

“This has been going on for 30 years,” said Lessing who put down her groceries and sat on her doorstep, head in her hand, after being told of the award by the waiting photographers.

“I’ve won all the prizes in Europe, every bloody one, so I’m delighted to win them all. It’s a royal flush,” she said.

Her work has covered a multitude of topics, and over the years she has been mentioned as a possible Nobel laureate.—AFP