Helpful Score: 22
This book took me awhile to read as I was never really drawn in or enticed to keep reading it. Nonetheless I read on, enjoying the fine writing, and still certain that a climactic end was in store. Well it never really came, yet something more rewarding occurred that caught me by suprise. Upon finishing the book, I sat, closed my eyes and carefully considered the thoughts this book provoked in me. Thoughts about life, its meaning, its purpose, how to approach it, thoughts of family, of friendships, of births and deaths, of work, of retirement, of illness, and of my own death. I was quite saddened by the book. The family and friends of Daisy knew so little about her really. She became, to them (and to me), this old lady who repeated herself, and led a self-denied life of wife and mother.
The reminder I take away from Daisy's life is to be careful not to let life happen to you like an accident. It's important to try to exert some influence where you can or the everyday omission of influence can form a life of regrets that are only recognizable in death.
"The Stone Diaries" is an immensely introspective examination of the cycles of life. Even though the lives of the characters are without much spark or excitement, they are portrayed in a way that compels you to take notice and to care. Whether it's the superb writing, the sublime story or the subdued pace, the novel works well and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The reminder I take away from Daisy's life is to be careful not to let life happen to you like an accident. It's important to try to exert some influence where you can or the everyday omission of influence can form a life of regrets that are only recognizable in death.
"The Stone Diaries" is an immensely introspective examination of the cycles of life. Even though the lives of the characters are without much spark or excitement, they are portrayed in a way that compels you to take notice and to care. Whether it's the superb writing, the sublime story or the subdued pace, the novel works well and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Helpful Score: 11
This book fell flat for me in so many ways. You've got to be a fan of Shields' writing in order to appreciate this. Although it won the Pulitzer Prize, I truly question why. I found the main character bland, her life bland, the writing bland. I was glad when it was over. I finished only because I want to read all of the Pulitzer Prize winners. This was by far the worst of them I'd read.
Helpful Score: 6
this is probably one of the best written books I've read in a long time. Couldn't put it down.
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death. Shields' sensuous prose and her deft characterizations make this, her sixth novel, her most successful yet
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death. Shields' sensuous prose and her deft characterizations make this, her sixth novel, her most successful yet
Beautifully written, Pullitzer Prize winner... Incredible metaphors and symbolism...one of my favorites.
Helpful Score: 4
A well-written story about the life of a woman from birth to death, her parents, children, grandchildren and friends. It explores the role of women through the generations.
Helpful Score: 3
A wonderful story, welltold and captivating. No wonder if won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize.
Helpful Score: 3
I tried so hard to finish but I gave up and abandoned this book. I just found it to be boring.
Helpful Score: 2
This is like a real memoir, with letters and photos and everything. You go through several generations of this family and can't help but get attached to them. Also, you learn a bit about flowers.
Helpful Score: 2
This is probably one of my five all-time favorite books. Other reviewers are right that there is no real heavy-duty chest-heaving swashbucking in this book. Instead, it's a quiet story of a normal life. It left me realizng that every life is extraordinary. Beautifully written.
Helpful Score: 2
This is an awesome book. Read it and enjoy.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the worst books I've ever read. I had to read for a book club, this is the ONLY reason I finished it. The book is written from 1st person point of view, but often changes to 3rd person. No depth of the main character. Very depressing, took a week just to finish the last chapter. I found myself skipping through many paragraphs/pages. Sorry to anyone that loves it, it deffinately wasn't for me.
Helpful Score: 1
I could tell after two pages that I was going to love this book. Great descriptions, great story. I love the way Carol Shields gave things up at just the right time. Very interesting, enjoyable style.
Helpful Score: 1
Beautifully written book about families and the things they do to each other.
Helpful Score: 1
Try as we will, life happens. We are swept along by the times we live in, the prejudices and expectations of Now, not the universal. This book , by immediate and passionate writing, let's us know truly that life can only be lived forward and understood in hindsight. Finally it asks by implication if it is only those who outlive us who can possibly understand -- but they live their own lives through their own limitations and perspectives.
This is a beautiful book. I am puzzled why some find it difficult to continue. I felt pulled powerfully forward throughout the whole book. It was sad as death to have it end.
This is a beautiful book. I am puzzled why some find it difficult to continue. I felt pulled powerfully forward throughout the whole book. It was sad as death to have it end.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a little hard to get into at first...but WOW!!! So worth the effort.
Helpful Score: 1
If you like books with lots of flowery prose that spend chapters describing how her dress flowed like a flower in the summer breeze, this is the book for you... not the book for me.
Helpful Score: 1
This book didn't meet my 50 page test. After about 30 pages I gave up because I found it weird and not at all what I expected. I am sure there are many out there who will like it far better than I did. Afterall, it is an award winner and highly popular!
Helpful Score: 1
The story of Daisy told in different ways for each stage of her life. Daisy's story is not particularly happy with a very tragic birth and difficult disappointments in mid-life. She lives a very full life without experiencing the fullness of relationships. Her marriage seems pretty loveless and her kids don't seem to get her, it's pretty sad. But I think it imparts a valuable lesson of the importance of making space for intimacy & trust in your life while you are able.
Helpful Score: 1
Set in Indiana, " a kind of family album made into a work of art". Beatifully written.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is extremely well-written. Ms. Shields knows how to turn a phrase. Very insightful about the stages of life.
Helpful Score: 1
Written openly and honestly, a turn of the century saga of a woman's struggle to understand her place in life. Winner of the 1995 Pulitzer Prize.
This is an unusual way to tell a story- and so well-written and tight that I found myself truly believing that it was non-fiction. I loved this.
I loved this book and read it quickly...it is beautifully written and at times did not know whether I was reading an autobiography or biography - especially in view of the family album.
Just so hard to believe this is a novel - I just can't find a category for it. Lots of details about family life and women and men's relationships during the early part of this century. Read it...you will not be sorry.
Just so hard to believe this is a novel - I just can't find a category for it. Lots of details about family life and women and men's relationships during the early part of this century. Read it...you will not be sorry.
Very good read. This is what modern literature looks like.
I know it's a Pulitzer prize winner but I found it excruciatingly boring. I did not finish it, which is rare for me.
I recommend this book for readers who enjoy character-driven novels. The point of view is particularly interesting, and the poignant end of the narrator's life is well told.
This book is well-written, but I think the reason some are rough on it is that it won the Pulitzer in 1995. I would have to say that I've read others that I may have preferred over this one, but Shields can be counted on to deliver a well-written, inventive book and this one is no exception.
I didn't want this story to end. It was written for both easy reading and pure enjoyment. I became to see Daisy as a real person, and I liked her. She wasn't easy going or super liked by others but she was interesting and I liked her.
Terrific!
I got this book because I liked "The Box Garden," but this one didn't interest me.
" A kind of family album made into a work of art"-New York Newsday
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs.
loved it
Story of a woman's life from Canada to Florida over 90 years in the 20th century.
Amazon.com
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death. Shields' sensuous prose and her deft characterizations make this, her sixth novel, her most successful yet.
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death. Shields' sensuous prose and her deft characterizations make this, her sixth novel, her most successful yet.
It has been several years since I have read this book, but I can remember it being an interesting book. I just don't think that I like the way Shields writes. The book was good but not totally of my taste.
Very discussable book for our book group.
Real enjoyable book. The beginning was a bit harder for me to get into but once I got 1/2 way though I really started to enjoy it.
**This book has a BC label**
**This book has a BC label**
This book held my attention with unexpected twists and experiences that feel universal. Something about Canadian women novelists really draws me to their work!
Amazon.com
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death.
This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death.
I tried to get into the book, but just couldn't.
This story reveals a woman's life as seen through the eyes of the people around her. Do they really know her? A sad story. 1995 Pulitzer Prize winner.
This book took a while to get into, but overall a good read.
This book changed my life.
This is a wonderful book about the life of women. This won the Pulitzer in 1995.
Loved this book!
I liked this book. It was a quick read.
This book won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize. I thought it was pretty good.
Great condition.
