The Stone Diaries is Carol Shields’s most celebrated work and one of the most critically acclaimed and successful novels of the past two decades. A fictional autobiography of an ordinary woman, this multi-award-winning book (Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Governor-General’s Award) serves as a record of the last century. Daisy Goodwill is on a journey of self-discovery. From her last days in a Florida nursing home she looks back in an attempt to make sense of her life story. It is a life like any other, filled with the richness of human relations and the sting of disappointments both big and small. The beauty of this work lies in the details, the tiny brushstrokes of character and setting, at which Carol Shields is the undisputed master. This engrossing abridged recording was first broadcast on CBC Radio in 1995. Carol Shields both reviewed and approved the abridgement and the recording.
--This text refers to the
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The Stone Diaries was a prizewinner among prizewinners for Canadian novelist Carol Shields, garnering her the Governor General's Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. In this fictional autobiography of eightysomething Daisy Goodwill, Shields includes a variety of other documents and perspectives--letters that Daisy received over the years, a list of her bridal trousseau, an occasional reminiscence by a son, daughter, or family friend, an objective third-person description of a house, and a wonderful collection of photos that supposedly come from the Goodwill family--which give us the sense that this is more than just fiction. Here we have a rare glimpse into the nooks and crannies of an ordinary life as we watch Daisy cope with love, marriage, children, gardening, old age, and death. The book serves as a diary of the last century as well, ripe with details that make readers feel they're witnessing the passage of time. Shields renders with loving care, genuine affection, and acute insight the world Daisy Goodwill makes her own. The Stone Diaries lingers in the memory, an extraordinary achievement by an extraordinary writer. --Jeffrey Canton
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Any performer has her work cut out for her when a novel takes place in several settings with inhabitants possessing distinctive regional accents. Shield's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel takes the listener from the plains of central Canada to Bloomington, Ind., and the Orkney Islands. Botsford is an excellent performer with a smooth and easy-to-listen-to reading voice, but she doesn't have a gift for imitating linguistic variations. The women of Daisy's Bloomington circle have Southern lilts worthy of Gone with the Wind. Readers would expect the voices of this coterie to age as Daisy does, but no accommodation is made for this possibility. Within each locale the voices are quite distinct, though the voice of Daisy, the center of the novel, stands out least of all, appropriately enough, for in this work we see her life through the eyes of others. This is an important and deft novel and it's about time that it was recorded, even in this overly abridged version. Shields's writing still makes this worth a listen.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Teddy
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This is a book about generations of women. It follows the story of Daisy Goodwill for her birth in 1905 to her death sometime in the 1980's. This is true chick lit, at least to me, full of gossip and hear say. It's not normally a book I would like, but I read it with a book club. I found this book a worthwhile read; it had moments of great prose, but got bogged down by the gossip.
I listened to the audio CD, narrated by Sara Botsford. She was the perfect narrator for this book. She has a great range that really brought the characters to life.
I listened to the audio CD, narrated by Sara Botsford. She was the perfect narrator for this book. She has a great range that really brought the characters to life.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Melanie
Format:School & Library Binding
This book a masterpiece, as it is successful on every level. On an emotional level, the character of Daisy Goodwill is so real and easy for readers to relate to that you will find yourself wishing you could meet her. Shields' skill as a writer is seen in the way she gives an in-depth look into Daisy's personality and plight, but enough mystery is left that you are left always wanting more. Shields builds on the story gradually, and weaves the historical aspects of the novel to build on the plot. This novel is refreshingly different and no doubt destined to be a classic.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
So many times I scan reviews and the newspapers for winners of prizes (Pulitzer, NBA, etc) and then rush to buy whatever has won, only to be extremely disappointed. Finally, someone who deserves to win! Carol Shields is a treasure and her writing deserves more attention than it's gotten so far. This is a fictional autobiography of one Daisy Goodwill, who takes us into her confidences and shows us what life is all about. If you liked Jackson McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD or THREE JUNES, you'll love this book.
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3.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very worthwhile book
This book was a gift from one of my grown children but I finally read it recently through my book club. It was riveting from the outset. Read more
Published on Jun 13 2010 by Avid Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intricate Structure and Superb Use of Language
Daisy Goodwill didn't begin her life in the best of circumstances. As she was born her mother was dying, not even having realized she'd been pregnant until she was about to give... Read more
Published on Dec 24 2008 by Debra Purdy Kong
5.0 out of 5 stars
Made me understand my grandmother better
Amazing book. It's so rare to see a book that gives women from two generations before a voice. The metaphor is precise and cutting and the story rings true. Read more
Published on May 7 2007 by literary critic
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Stone Diaries...
An interesting and easy read. I wouldn't put it in the category of one of the great reads in my life, but it was alright. Read more
Published on May 7 2005 by N. Jeannotte
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Pride of being Canadian
It is strange how people can come across an author that writes in such an amazing way. I had never really heard of Carol Shields, and then I had to do a project in a class at... Read more
Published on Oct 20 2002 by Kelly
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