Woman's Hour - 25/08/2008

With Jenni Murray. In a special programme to mark the landmark novel The Golden Notebook, Jenni talks to its author Doris Lessing. She discusses the book's reception and interpretation and why she still gets cross when it is referred to as feminist. Listeners reveal what the book has meant to them. Literary critic Elaine Showalter and writer Melissa Benn join Jenni in the studio to discuss the book's impact and to consider whether its 'feminist bible' status is either accurate or merited. The Golden Notebook is often described by women as a book that changed their lives, but can fiction really can have such a profound effect? Lionel Shriver, author of We Need to Talk About Kevin, joins the debate. Including drama: The Golden Notebook (1/10).