The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
1993, Random House, 361 pages
Fictional Biography, Pulitzer Prize, Governor General’s Prize
This book follows the fictional life story of Daisy Goodwill Flett through the various stages of her life, from her birth to her death, with childhood, adulthood, parenthood, decline and death all getting chapters. Generally speaking, each chapter looks at Daisy’s life in a ten year interval, giving insight into her entire life, though not every highlight makes the intervals.
Most of her middle years were spent in Ottawa, in the Island Park Drive area. She describes the summers and winters and gives a feel for the city in the 50s and 60s, which was a refreshing backdrop for quiet life. Ottawa does make for a quiet, backdrop, but an important part of the setting and the middle years of Daisy’s life.
The premise of the book is interesting, as each epoch of Daisy’s life is distinct, and written in a distinct style, and from a different point of view. Her work life and depression are written in an epistemological style, her death is from the perspectives of her children. The whole novel reminds me of mediocre science fiction. A good idea, that loses coherence in the execution.
I understand that this style of chapter diversity, focussing on a single everywoman character may have been cutting edge stuff thirty-five years ago, but to myself as a modern reader, it’s just boring. The story of someone whose life never “kicks into gear” or experiences anything noteworthy, was a bit strenuous to read. Not everything needs to be an adventure, but I find myself at odds as to how to answer “What is this book about?” or “What is the main character like?”. She doesn’t really have hobbies and interests. There is no great purpose to her life. In many ways, that’s the point, but I found it to be a difficult read, as I just couldn’t emotionally invest in the book.
I know that it’s won many awards, and there are people who swear by it, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this to anyone.
★★☆☆☆
