Zimbabwean-born author Doris Lessing has used a speech at the Edinburgh book festival to defend men against what she called the "unthinking and automatic rubbishing" by feminists.

Lessing, 81, who has been strongly identified with feminism, said that men had become "so cowed that they can't fight back".



We have many wonderful, clever, powerful women everywhere, but what is happening to men?

Doris Lessing

But feminist and commentator Helen Wilkinson took issue with Lessing's remarks and has described the author as "totally misguided". Identifying Lessing with similar remarks made by writer Fay Weldon, Wilkinson said: "My take as a younger woman who has written about gender issues and feminism is that they are rather belatedly jumping on the bandwagon that people like myself have already raised." 'Shocked' Lessing's broadside came during an appearance at Edinburgh's Consignia Theatre on Monday. "I find myself increasingly shocked at the unthinking and automatic rubbishing of men which is now so part of our culture that it is hardly even noticed," she told the audience. "The most stupid, ill-educated and nasty woman can rubbish the nicest, kindest and most intelligent man and no-one protests.