The minutiae of an unadorned existence,

those seemingly insignificant details that often go unnoticed,

hold within them the power to reveal a hidden grandeur.

It is through these masterful strokes, the subtleties and nuances of life,

that one can discover a unique splendour that is all their own.

Amongst the most exquisite character studies I have had the privilege of experiencing,

there are those who shine with a quiet brilliance,

their lives a testament to the beauty that can be found in the ordinary.

These individuals, with their unassuming ways and simple pleasures,

teach us that true splendour lies not in the extravagance of wealth or the trappings of power,

but in the authenticity of our being and the love that we share with others.

Daisy Goodwill Flett is a remarkable 20th century Canadian-American woman. Born in 1905 to a poor quarry worker, her life journey takes us through various stages.

From being a young small-town debutant in the 1920s, she evolves into a June Cleaver knock-off in the 1950s, then a bridge-playing retiree in the 1980s, until her death in 1999. Her life mirrors the popular image of women in those decades.

This novel is filled with rich details, and it is these peripheral details that drive the story forward. Daisy's story is told through pudding recipes and a gardening column for a local paper, as well as through her father's stone carving and her future husband's orchid collection.

The narration is mainly in the third person, but inexplicably slips into the first person at brief moments. And what is the meaning of this book or Daisy's story? In her 60s, Daisy experiences a paralyzing period of depression. Various characters try to guess its cause, and each explanation reflects the concerns and inclinations of that figure imposed on Daisy's life.

I suspect that this is the point of the novel. Each reader will understand Daisy and the construction of the book from their own vantage point. Twentieth century women had little power over their fate, being carried along by the expectations of a patriarchal society. We can only be truly known through the relationships we form and the lives we touch. Women are incredibly adaptable, able to find contentment in a wide variety of situations. For me, Daisy serves as a myth in the best sense of the word. Always slightly off center stage, she functions as a period piece that holds each decade together. In her changing form, that decade is revealed in ways that wars and elections cannot.

OK, I am fully aware that this particular book has received numerous awards. However, in my honest opinion, it is truly a book about nothing. It is a novel that purports to be about the lives of some people, but it is written in an autobiographical style.

Perhaps it was a source of great amusement for the author. She even went so far as to add a pictorial section in the middle of the book. But as it turns out, this family is completely fictitious, and some of the pictures she included are actually of her own children.

Well, this is simply not to my taste. Nope, I won't be reading this author again. I prefer books that have a more substantial and engaging storyline, something that can truly capture my imagination and hold my interest from start to finish. This book, unfortunately, fails to do that for me.

What I truly relished about this book was the unique perspective of the writing, or perhaps the absence of a traditional one.

The chapters meticulously chronicled Daisy's life, yet always from an external vantage point. She was never the direct voice, and scarcely did we ever "hear" her speak. All the dialogue was furnished by those in her vicinity, and the facts of her life were circumstantial.

Hearing about her life from multiple voices made me deeply question what the genuine facts of her life were, what portions were the way she was perceived by others, and how she believed she was perceived as communicated through others.

It was also highly intriguing the manner in which the author provided photos of fictional characters. Some of them didn't really bear a resemblance to their descriptions, such as Daisy's mother. This added an extra layer of mystery and complexity to the overall narrative, making the reading experience even more engaging and thought-provoking.

It made me constantly wonder about the true nature of Daisy and the people in her life, and how our perceptions can often be shaped by the views and interpretations of others.

This is a slow and intricate account of the life and death of Daisy Goodwill Flett. The glorious writing is so sensual, rich in substance, and so original, wise, wise, and wise that I often had to pause to contemplate or simply digest. Carol Shields effortlessly transitions from the third person to the first, jumps between the stories of different subjects, returns to the present, and sometimes even comments on the first-person protagonist, Daisy, and her ability to manipulate the truth. And finally, she challenges any reader who is honest enough to admit their own arrogance in believing they can understand the motivations and hidden feelings of any deceased beloved relative.

Carol Shields is a writer's writer, and, as evidenced by the Pulitzer this book won, clearly a reader's writer as well.

Without explanation, I feel the urge to shout: This work makes me feel sane!

I am so sad that Shields is no longer alive and cannot be my friend. However, I am so glad that she left behind a long legacy of books that I can now devour and draw inspiration from.

Βιβλιαρα!

This simple word holds a world of meaning. It represents the wonderful realm of books.

Books are like magical portals that transport us to different times, places, and experiences. They are a source of knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment.

When we open a book, we embark on a journey. We can explore far-off lands, meet fascinating characters, and learn about different cultures and ideas.

Βιβλιαρα! It is a call to enter this enchanting world of literature and discover the treasures that lie within. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction work, there is a book out there for everyone.

So, pick up a book, let your imagination soar, and lose yourself in the captivating world of Βιβλιαρα!

This beautifully written novel delves into several profound themes with a quiet, distanced elegance.

Some of these themes include the various stages of a person's life, the inherent limitations and the seemingly impossible task of encapsulating one's entire life in a few words or thoughts. It also touches on the things that are left unsaid, the idea of being defined by one's past, and the reality that the people in our lives may not truly know us.

At first, I found myself disliking the sense of distance that pervaded the novel, and some parts even felt rather dry. However, upon further reflection, I came to realize that perhaps this was the author's intention.

If you are in search of a book that offers fantastic story-telling and a sense of closeness to the characters, then this may not be the ideal choice for you.

Nevertheless, I am glad that I read it, and I have a feeling that if I were to revisit this book in a decade's time, I would glean many more valuable insights and takeaways.

The part set in Niagara was pure magic; Carol Shields truly has a gift for writing beautifully.

The Stone Diaries (1993)

Author: Carol Shields

Read: 9/5/21

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It's like an avant-garde fake autobiography! Each of the ten chapters is in a different format. From the birth to the death of one woman, a lifetime that spans most of the 1900s. There are epistolary sections, to-do lists, recipes, different points of view, and so on.

The frequent switches in point of view, from first to third person; present tense to past tense; omniscient; often without much more than a new paragraph, can be confusing and a bit off-putting. But overall, Shields made it work. Her prose is compelling, dynamic, and stunning in its ability to transform in authentic-sounding tone and personalities from character to character.

Oh, Daisy Goodwill-Flett. Our endearing, enduring unreliable heroine. Carol Shields would have us believe her life is ordinary, but we all know that is a modest claim. Especially if Daisy has anything to say about it! What a woman, complete with a family tree and family photos (made to look authentically dated). A phantom woman that Shields portrays so vividly that it is hard to believe she did not actually exist!

The title meaning is significant. Stone is one of the main recurring motifs, the theme that acts as a reliable thread, pulled through the entire novel. Beginning with the name of the programmable Daisy's mother Mercy came from (Stonewall); Daisy's first husband works with stone for a living; the town she lives in revolves around the quarry; monuments painstakingly built in stone; characters hardening their hearts; walls of stone that shield secrets; ending with Daisy's death, quite literally underground.

#Canadian #experimental #epistolary #meta #NBCCA #PulitzerPrize

A true case of better late than never, I am overjoyed that I finally got around to reading this book. It is an absolute gem, both epic and humble, quiet and bold. It is a true masterpiece in every sense, whether it's the captivating content or the unique style.

We are introduced to Daisy the moment she is born in 1905, and we follow her life's journey until it comes to an end sometime in the 1990s. The book reads almost like an in-depth memoir, but with a twist. Other perspectives or versions of Daisy's story keep interrupting the narrative, adding an extra layer of complexity and intrigue. Shields also makes an interesting choice by using the third person, even when we are privy to Daisy's thoughts. This creates just the right amount of distance between the reader and the characters, allowing us to observe and analyze without getting too emotionally involved.

Although not a blatant feminist tract, the book is very much a woman's story of the 20th century. For the most part, Daisy takes the "traditional" path, but that doesn't mean her life is devoid of drama. "Orphaned" at birth, shuffled from Canada to the United States, widowed early and long-lived, Daisy faces each phase of her life with a sense of purpose, searching to fill the void of her inner loneliness.

Shields has such a light and delicate writing hand that I felt more like I was peeking in on Daisy's life rather than being a passive observer. It's a tricky balance to achieve, but Shields manages it beautifully. Her descriptions are so vivid and detailed that I could almost see Daisy's world unfolding before my eyes.

This is my second Shields novel, and once again, I am reminded of how tragic it is that her life was cut far too short by cancer. Her talent was truly remarkable, and I feel privileged to have discovered her work. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel, I highly recommend this one.

Read alikes: Olive Kitteridge Unless

Oh, how truly substantial this ordinary life tale unfolds. I first read this in my middle years, and now, rereading it in a completely different life stage, I find myself enjoying it even more. The language is so rich, without the need for the foul chorus calls of trite ranting or other slurs. It is an absolute delight to encounter words like "larky" once again.

The life depicted is far less influenced by the standards of electronic and media culture. It begins in great sorrow but also has patches of unexpected fulfillment scattered throughout.

The aspects related to the quarries and the use of limestone are also precious to me. I pass those sites at least 16 or 18 times a year, and every single time, that sight just mesmerizes me. The loaders and trucks on the shelves look as if they are Tonka truck sized. It gives an excellent, excellent sense of the Canadian and American Midwest during the first half of the twentieth century - from the language to the jobs, sensibilities, and expressions of emotion. There are very, very few drama queens or kings.

The photographs are truly awesome - they were not included in the first copy I read so many years ago. You can feel the real choices of women here. There are so many great understated characters, both women and men. I just loved Clementine and Carol's portrayal of her feelings within her 20-year marriage.

I'm always a little hesitant when reading books that have won the Pulitzer Prize. For some reason, I usually don't have a great affinity for them.

The writing in this particular book is indeed very thorough. The author has put in a lot of effort to describe the details and create a vivid world. However, everything else seems to be a bit of a miss.

I must admit that I loved the opening. It was engaging and hooked my attention right away. But as I continued reading, it started to feel like more of the same. The story became very tedious to get through.

Maybe it would have been different if I had had some kind of strong emotion towards the main character (MC). If I had liked her or even disliked her passionately, it might have made the reading experience more interesting. But unfortunately, I felt nothing.

This book also had a rather depressing tone. There was no joy or excitement to be found. It just felt flat and unappealing.

In conclusion, this wasn't my kind of book. It didn't meet my expectations and failed to capture my interest. I'm sure there are many people who would love this book, but it just wasn't for me.

I initially had high hopes for this book. However, as I delved into its pages, I quickly realized that it was rather boring.

Despite my best efforts to like it, it simply failed to capture my interest. The narrative mainly relied on other characters and third-person narration to introduce the lead character.

Consequently, there wasn't a strong connection established with the protagonist. Perhaps the author intended to convey that the lead character leads an ordinary life, and as a result, no one truly "knows" her.

On a positive note, it was mildly interesting and somewhat entertaining to read the other characters' perspectives on why the lead character was in a depression.

This, I believe, is a common occurrence in real life. People often make assumptions about others based on their own life experiences.

Overall, while the book had its moments, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.