I read The Golden Notebook in the 70s, when in my 20s, and then all the others, and Doris did change my life. The form of the Golden Notebook was the form I'd been looking for, so I gave up because she'd done it, and better than I could. Spent years balking in/about relationships with men after reading A Proper Marraige. I had recurring dreams about Africa. Love all the books but this one and the Four-Gated City are my favorites. I have two hardback copies, but will be reading along, because this is the most satisfying use of the internet I've come across in 12 years.
And Marthaquest - that's my user name in a number of other webistes. Unsurprisingly, it's already in use here!