Items related to Briefing for a Descent into Hell

Briefing for a Descent into Hell - Softcover

  • 3.72 out of 5 stars
    2,352 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780006548089: Briefing for a Descent into Hell

Synopsis

A study of a man beyond the verge of a nervous breakdown, this is a brilliant and disturbing novel by Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.Penniless, rambling and incoherent, a man is found wandering at night on London’s Embankment. Taken to hospital and heavily sedated, he tells the doctors of his incredible fantastical voyage, adrift on the ocean, landing on unknown shores, flying on the back of a huge white bird.Identified as Charles Watkins, a Cambridge Classics professor, he is visited by family and friends, each revealing clues to the nature of his breakdown. As the doctors try to cure him, Watkins begins a fierce battle to hold on to his magnificent inner world, as it gradually acquires a greater reality than the everyday…‘Briefing for a Descent into Hell’ is one of Doris Lessing’s most brilliantly achieved novels, linking her early work, which explored the nature of subjectivity, with her later experiments in science fiction. Its indictment of the tyranny of society is powerful, disturbing and, as always, magnificently rendered.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

A fascinating look inside the mind of a man who is supposedly "mad."

About the Author

Doris Lessing is one of the most important writers of the twentieth century and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature 2007. Her first novel, 'The Grass is Singing', was published in 1950. Among her other celebrated novels are 'The Golden Notebook', 'The Fifth Child' and 'Memoirs of a Survivor'. She has also published two volumes of her autobiography, 'Under my Skin' and 'Walking in the Shade'. Doris Lessing died on 17 November 2013 at the age of 94.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Buy Used

Condition: Very Good
May have limited writing in cover...
View this item

FREE shipping within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Buy New

View this item

US$ 13.50 shipping from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Search results for Briefing for a Descent into Hell

Stock Image

Doris Lessing ( DUO LI SI LAI XIN )
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.44. Seller Inventory # G0006548083I4N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.19
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Doris Lessing ( DUO LI SI LAI XIN )
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.44. Seller Inventory # G0006548083I4N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.19
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Doris Lessing ( DUO LI SI LAI XIN )
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.44. Seller Inventory # G0006548083I3N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.19
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

-
Published by -, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Briefing for a Descent Into Hell (Flamingo Modern Classic) This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006548089

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 4.43
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.73
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Doris Lessing ( DUO LI SI LAI XIN )
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Softcover

Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. 1751363792. 7/1/2025 9:56:32 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780006548089

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 4.41
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 7.41
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Lessing
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Softcover

Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # wbb0022622894

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 1.67
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 11.13
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Lessing
Published by Flamingo, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Softcover

Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # wbs9155125200

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 1.67
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 11.13
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Doris Lessing
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A study of a man beyond the verge of a nervous breakdown, this is a brilliant and disturbing novel by Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Penniless, rambling and incoherent, a man is found wandering at night on Londons Embankment. Taken to hospital and heavily sedated, he tells the doctors of his incredible fantastical voyage, adrift on the ocean, landing on unknown shores, flying on the back of a huge white bird. Identified as Charles Watkins, a Cambridge Classics professor, he is visited by family and friends, each revealing clues to the nature of his breakdown. As the doctors try to cure him, Watkins begins a fierce battle to hold on to his magnificent inner world, as it gradually acquires a greater reality than the everyday Briefing for a Descent into Hell is one of Doris Lessings most brilliantly achieved novels, linking her early work, which explored the nature of subjectivity, with her later experiments in science fiction. Its indictment of the tyranny of society is powerful, disturbing and, as always, magnificently rendered. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001378909

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.92
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 7.56
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 11 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

-
Published by - -, 2002
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Paperback

Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780006548089

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 4.43
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 9.42
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Lessing, Doris
ISBN 10: 0006548083 ISBN 13: 9780006548089
Used Softcover

Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 50622280-6

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.18
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 10.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

There are 3 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book