This book is one of the most widely read, photographed, discussed... in short, one of the most talked-about books. It seems that both the author and the publishers wanted to present it as very... a 20-page introduction, an initial dramatis personae/family tree consisting of dozens of names, and it seems that 80% of them just passed by and didn't really touch... These, as well as the opinions of some people whose judgment I highly trust, had created rather high expectations for me, which, however, were not met.

First of all, the central heroine, Daisy, was not a woman with whom I could identify. She is a woman who, even from her mother's womb, had to face a difficult life. A life marked by losses, difficulties, patriarchy, of course, but also the warmth of the family she built (mainly that of her children). Generally, it should have been a life full of emotions, both negative and positive. However, where were these emotions? I didn't see them anywhere. In such books that don't have an exceptionally original theme to offer, you expect it to create some deep emotions within you through the sufferings of the protagonists. Here, in my opinion, that didn't happen. Also, it seemed to me that the author's intention was to talk about very important themes such as the position of women and how it is determined by the people they meet in their lives (whether good or bad), but in the end, in my eyes, she didn't do it in such a strong way as to leave a deep impression on the reader.

On the positive side, it was a book that flowed very easily, as well as the author's undeniable ability to write with a very interesting technique and use of language. If these are enough for you to consider a book good, then everything is okay. Personally, it didn't win me over, which is why I give it the coldest rating there is...

This was what I consider to be a “quiet” novel.

It chronicles the life of Daisy Goodwill, starting from her birth in 1905 and culminating in her death. It is a fictional biography, with certain aspects giving the impression of being autobiographical, yet there is no clarification regarding the origin of any of the material.

In numerous aspects, Daisy leads a rather ordinary life for her era and location, notwithstanding its unique commencement. Not a great deal occurs to Daisy, and that precisely is the focal point of the story. This is because many women in the first half of the 20th century confronted a similar restricted range of choices. Life simply occurs to Daisy, rather than Daisy actively seizing life.

Daisy accepts whatever comes her way and does not seek more or better; she merely hopes for change.

Even when Daisy manages to establish a career at one stage in her life, it is snatched away from her, and she makes no attempt to pursue a replacement.

The question then arises: is the issue the limited opportunities that life presents to her, or is it her passive acceptance of only what comes along?

Is this a life well-lived? Or a life forfeited?

Is Daisy at peace, or does she harbor regrets?

These are the thought-provoking questions that the novel leaves lingering in the reader's mind.

Finishing this book, I thought to myself, "What a gloomy novel, what a futile life...". Shields crafted a sort of biography of Daisy Goodwill, spanning from her remarkable birth all the way up to her last fading moment of life, presented in 10 chapters, each with an interval of approximately 10 years. However, it's not a straightforward linear story. At times, we hear Daisy's own voice speaking, while at other times, an unknown narrator takes over. There are also instances when immediate family and friends share their perspectives, whether through letters or other means. This highly variegated approach creates a dynamic narrative that exposes the contradictions and differences between how we perceive ourselves, how others view us, and how, through life experiences, we change the way we look at both ourselves and others.

Daisy serves as the link between all the characters, but Shields frequently zooms in on the others. By doing so, she reveals the profound changes they underwent in their lives and how they interacted with one another.

Two key insights prevail. Firstly, in our lifetime, we are sometimes compelled to completely reinvent ourselves and give our lives a different direction, and most people are capable of managing this. Secondly, every life is essentially a life of its own, and in that sense, truly lonely. (In each chapter, the word "loneliness" appears as a pivotal characteristic of life.) All the characters, including fathers, wives, daughters, sons, and so on, live their lives side by side, almost exclusively from their own egocentric point of view.

Shields was indeed a remarkable writer (1935 - 2003), and this book can be qualified as "rich" in life-wisdom. In that sense, it reminded me a great deal of Penelope Lively (who wrote the introduction to this book), also sharing the same special sensitivity to gender issues. Personally, I think her final chapters are a bit too gloomy, and her portrayal of Daisy in her elder years is rather shocking. But perhaps I'm turning a blind eye to reality here? (rating 3.5 stars)

Stunning. This single word holds within it a world of power and impact. It has the ability to stop us in our tracks, to take our breath away, and to leave us in awe.

When we encounter something that is stunning, it is as if time stands still. Our eyes are drawn to the beauty or the magnificence before us, and we cannot help but be captivated.

It could be a breathtaking natural景观, such as a snow-capped mountain range or a crystal-clear lake. Or perhaps it is a work of art, a painting or a sculpture that speaks to our souls.

Even in the ordinary moments of life, we can find things that are stunning. A smile from a stranger, a kind gesture, or a moment of pure joy can all have the power to stun us and remind us of the beauty that exists in the world.

Stunning is a word that evokes strong emotions and leaves a lasting impression. It is a reminder to us to slow down, to look around, and to appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day.

#2016-usa-geography-challenge: INDIANA
#2016-aty-reading-challenge--week-15: a book set in the past (100 years ago)

I have always had a special affinity for novels that delve into the lives of women in the past century. These stories offer me valuable insights into what the lives of my grandmother and mother might have been like. Some of my all-time favorite novels in this genre include So Big and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Now, The Stone Diaries has joined the ranks of my favorites. Written as a combination of autobiography and biography by an omniscient narrator, it chronicles the life and times of Daisy Goodwill Flett, who was born in 1905 and passed away in 199_. The author states, \\"Biography, even autobiography, is full of systemic error, of holes that connect like a tangle of underground streams.\\" This is indeed true of Daisy's story, which is filled with gaps in the narrative, one-sided letters, and other omissions. These holes perhaps symbolize the large void in Daisy's life that should have been filled with her mother's love.

Daisy's mother, Mercy Stone Goodwill, died during childbirth. She was so obese that she didn't even realize she was pregnant. Poor baby Daisy was left alone in the world, laid on a cold stone table for her first breaths. The neighbor lady, Clarentine, takes in Daisy and raises her until she suddenly deserts her husband and moves to Winnipeg to live with her son, Barker, a professor. Daisy stays with them until Clarentine's death when she is eleven. Her father, who is a virtual stranger, finally takes charge of her, and they move to Indiana to start a new life together.

The novel poses the question: \\"what is the story of a life? A chronicle of fact or a skillfully wrought impression? The bringing together of what she fears? Or the adding up of what has been off-handedly revealed, those tiny allotted increments of knowledge?\\" The Stone Diaries masterfully answers this question by revealing Daisy's life through bits and pieces, through impressions. Shields' writing is both blunt and funny, often poignant. For example, she writes, \\"Nor, though she knew she had been loved in her life, did she ever hear the words 'I love you, Daisy' uttered aloud (such a simple phrase), and only during the long, thin, uneventful sleep that preceded her death did she have the wit (and leisure) to ponder the injustice of this.\\" This is definitely my kind of book!

I truly love this book. It has been a remarkable 14 years since I first delved into its pages, and yet, the profound meaning it holds for me remains crystal clear.

Life is an incredibly long journey, and within this extensive span, we experience a succession of mini-lives. In each of these "lives," we transform into different versions of ourselves. We are both fortunate to have the opportunity and, at times, compelled against our will to continuously reinvent ourselves. This process persists until the day when we find ourselves in our advanced years, perhaps residing in Florida, clad in polyester pantsuits. Could you have ever envisioned that this would be your reality?

The person we marry at a relatively young and mature age might eventually become someone from our past, seemingly as inconsequential as an old high school boyfriend. The job that holds such significance for us today may merely be a fleeting blip on the radar when we reach the age of 85. Will we even recall the name of the company?

This is something that I enjoy reflecting upon. Moreover, it operates in both directions. There are times when I hope that the "life" I am currently in will never come to an end, while my greatest fear is that one day its time will run out. During other phases of my life, I am reminded that nothing is eternal, and this present moment may not be remembered by me at all.

Very few books have managed to convey such a lasting and impactful message to me. I am determined to carry this wisdom with me throughout my entire long lifetime.

This has truly and completely devastated me.

The writing is amazingly beautiful. It is so profound and touching that it has reached deep into my soul.

I find myself thinking that perhaps I am not strong enough to handle something that is this heart breaking at the moment.

Now that it is all over, I feel a little bit empty inside.

It's as if a part of me has been taken away, leaving a void that is difficult to fill.

I am left with a sense of loss and a feeling of being adrift.

But I know that I will have to find a way to move forward, to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild.

Even though it may be hard, I will have to be brave and face whatever comes next.

For now, I will just have to let the emotions wash over me and hope that in time, I will find the strength to heal.

Reading this book is recommended as a guaranteed way to prevent suicide.

This is because it is so boring that it keeps you from doing any kind of work after reading it.

It seems that the author's intention was not to provide useful information or entertainment but rather to put the readers to sleep.

However, some people might argue that this kind of book can have a therapeutic effect on those who are feeling stressed or anxious.

By making them feel sleepy and relaxed, it can help them forget about their problems for a while.

But in my opinion, there are much better ways to deal with stress and anxiety than reading a boring book.

For example, you could do some exercise, listen to music, or spend time with friends and family.

These activities are not only more enjoyable but also more effective in improving your mental health.

So, if you are looking for a way to prevent suicide or deal with stress and anxiety, I would not recommend reading this book.

Instead, try to find something that you really enjoy doing and that makes you feel good about yourself.

The experience was so overwhelming that it actually made me want to kill myself.

However, strange as it may seem, I still rate it as a 5/5.

Perhaps it's because of the intense emotions and the unique nature of the encounter.

As we were there, we nodded in its direction, but our eyes remained firmly fixed on the flashpoint.

It was as if the flashpoint held a magnetic pull, demanding our full attention.

We couldn't look away, no matter how much we wanted to.

The situation was both terrifying and fascinating, leaving us in a state of awe and wonder.

Even though it brought me to the brink of despair, there was something about it that I couldn't quite put into words.

Maybe it was the sense of danger, or the realization that we were witnessing something truly extraordinary.

Whatever it was, it left a lasting impression on me, and I will never forget that moment.

Life is an unending recruitment of witnesses. It appears that we require to be observed in our stances of extravagance or shame, we need others to pay attention to us. Our own memory is overly precious, which is the kindest thing I can assert about it. Other accounts are necessary; other perspectives are needed. However, even so, our most significant ceremonies - birth, love, and death - are safeguarded by whoever and whatever is accessible. What a chance, what a caprice!

\\n  

Birth, 1905; Childhood, 1916; Marriage, 1927; Love, 1936; Photo Album; Motherhood, 1947; Work, 1955 - 1964; Sorrow, 1965; Ease, 1977; Illness and Decline, 1985; Death.

\\n

In this chronicle of a woman's life, the comprehensive 'birth to death' account of Daisy Goodwill Hoad Flett, author Carol Shields employs all the biographer's tools to construct her character. She delves deep into the lives of Daisy's parents, presents the 'evidence' of facts, lists, photos, and details. She includes her sources - the letters, newspaper clippings, and speeches from crucial moments. She also takes into account the views of first-hand witnesses. Occasionally, she even dares to explore the interior monologues of her subject. At times, the first-person voice of Daisy peeks out and the object (of the novel's attention) becomes the subject. Even so, the reader is left with the impression that she doesn't truly know Daisy Goodwill very well. I would even suggest that Daisy doesn't know herself very well. "She has a talent for self-obliteration." "Daisy's own thoughts on her marriage are not recorded." "She just let her life happen to her."

The structure of this novel transforms a straightforward chronology of a life into something originally wonderful and strange. The stages of Daisy's life, (or the lives of other characters, for that matter) seem entirely unconnected. "Things begin, things end." Daisy is the epitome of an unremarkable 20th-century life, and yet one is left with the impression of how eccentric people are - how unknowable - how mysterious.

I first read this book in 1994 or 1995, when it was newly published. I was a young mother, with the sense that the best part of my life was all ahead of me. To reread it in 2020 was a kind of 'deja vu' of familiarity, without any memory of what would come next. I remembered mainly that I had loved it. I still love it, although Daisy herself remains elusive.

\\n  

And the question arises: what is the story of a life? A chronicle of fact or a skilfully wrought impression? The bringing together of what she fears? Or the adding up of what has been off-handedly revealed, those tiny allotted increments of knowledge? She needs a quiet place in which to think about this immensity. And she needs someone - anyone - to listen.

\\n

\\n  

Never mind, it means nothing; it’s only Mrs. Flett going through the motions of being Mrs. Flett.

\\n

\\n  

Stone is how she finally sees herself, her living cells replaced by the insentience of mineral deposition.

\\n

Read for the The Pulitzer Project. 4/12

This wonderful novel

takes readers on an enthralling journey through the life of Daisy Stone Goodwill.

It commences with her rather unusual birth in 1905 and then follows her adventures and experiences over the decades.

The story is predominantly told from the viewpoints of those who were closest to her, which gives it a rich and intimate feel.

In addition to the personal accounts, the novel also incorporates letters and photographs, adding another layer of authenticity and depth.

The writing style is truly remarkable - smart, vivid, and beautiful.

It has the power to transport readers to another time and place, making them feel as if they are a part of Daisy's life.

I am extremely glad that I finally got around to reading this award-winning gem.

It is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read.

4.5 stars.

Carol Shields tells us here about our irrationality, about the order of our daily lives, about our inability to understand ourselves. She tries to do that for us through a woman who writes her autobiography and we discover that the more we immerse ourselves in the limited pages of her self-narrative. For if we are unable to define the dimensions of our personalities and our human existence, then there is no doubt that we will fail to find a way to convey to others what we have experienced.

Daisy Goodwill; who later became Daisy Fleet, her mother Mercy Stone Goodwill died during her birth, and her father left her care to the neighbor Clarentine Fleet; from birth to childhood and adolescence, through a failed marriage, then widowhood, and then a second orderly marriage that she did not realize even during it was a dull, unpromising marriage to continue. She did not realize that until after the death of her husband, Sir Barker Fleet. In fact, she did not realize the importance of the things related to her, Daisy Goodwill, her interests, and what she wanted from her life until shortly before her death.

"Are you satisfied with what you have achieved in your life?-whatever the meaning of the word satisfaction. Have you lived moments of presence and vitality? Was your life worth the effort? Have you ever looked at the picture of a large building or read a paragraph in a book and felt that the world suddenly began to expand, and at the same time shrink to a seed of complete purity? Do you know what I mean? Was your life sufficient, I mean?" her eldest daughter Alice asks, and the answer is silence. This question is one of the axes of Lady Daisy's confusion throughout her writing of her autobiography, even if she does not state it.

The unanswered questions, the repeated losses, the unjustified departure from things and people. These points appear throughout the events of the novel. For example, why did Daisy's mother hide from her beloved husband during her pregnancy that she was expecting a child and left him to find out at the moment of the child's birth _the mother's death? Why did Lady Clarentine Fleet, who took care of her, leave her husband and move away with the adopted child and her eldest son Barker? Why did Daisy marry Barker Fleet, whom she called "Uncle", despite the age difference between them, despite the fact that they never confessed their love to each other, neither before the marriage nor after it? Why did Maria, the second wife of Daisy's father, leave her husband without a reason?

The author did not provide an answer to a single one of those questions throughout the novel, and I can say that this is the greatest thing she has offered me here.. Don't look for answers and solutions to the puzzles, some things happen and we are completely unable to understand them, this is our life, it is like this. So simply. And she says (time always meets its wonderful accomplice called chance to give birth to many miracles), yes; time and coincidence rule over us.

A novel about ordinary daily life, but rather a life immersed in its routine, order, and perseverance despite that.

A novel that resembles us, that tells us about ourselves. About how we continue and within us all this longing.