Carol Shields (1935–2003)
Author of The Stone Diaries
About the Author
Carol Shields is a writer and critic who was born on June 2, 1935 in Chicago and grew up in Illinois. Shields resided in Canada, where she was the Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, and a professor at the University of Manitoba. Shields's first novel, Small Ceremonies, was published the week show more of her 40th birthday. Her other works of fiction include The Orange Fish, Larry's Party, Various Miracles, and The Stone Diaries, which received the Governor's General Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Shields has also been awarded the Canadian Bookseller's Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the CBC Prize for Drama. She died on July 16, 2003. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Carol Shields
Martian Rock 2 copies
Minimal Art 2 copies
Protein Dust 1 copy
Osim ako 1 copy
Collected stories, The 1 copy
Associated Works
All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians, and Artists (2004) — Contributor — 556 copies
For the Love of Books: 115 Celebrated Writers on the Books They Love Most (1999) — Contributor — 452 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Shields, Carol
- Birthdate
- 1935-06-02
- Date of death
- 2003-07-16
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Oak Park, Illinois, USA
- Place of death
- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Places of residence
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Education
- Hanover College
University of Exeter
University of Ottawa - Occupations
- Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg
Novelist - Relationships
- Giardini, Anne (daughter)
- Awards and honors
- Order of Canada (Officer, 1998)
Order of Canada (Companion, 2002)
Members
Discussions
Carol Shields Month in Orange January/July (June 2012)
Larry's Party by Carol Shields in Orange January/July (January 2012)
Group Read - The Stone Diaries (March) - Spoiler Thread in The 11 in 11 Category Challenge (March 2011)
Reviews
Jane Austen (LIVES) by Carol Shields
A sympathetic biography by one author on another. The facts of Jane Austen's life can be picked up in any number of other biographies, but the strength of this short book is in Carol Shields' appraisal of Austen's influences and writing processes. Her research is tempered with empathy for her subject, making for an absorbing read.
I was disappointed in this book. To narrow it down I think the plot was too diffuse, it roamed around too much and never really settled on anything substantial.
I've read a lot of great biographies on Jane Austen, but this one was truly excellent. First off, I would not recommend this for someone who knows very little about Jane Austen or her books, as a lot of basics are assumed in order to get on to things that better interest the knowledgeable "Janeite". I think that's why I enjoyed it so much---it was a refreshing take on the details behind that "Jane Austen Fact Sheet" that a lot of biographies seem to be drawing from.
I love Shields' metaphor of "glances" on page 3-4. She discusses how Austen never really goes into detail about some of the things that were so newsworthy in her day: the Napoleonic wars, changes in societal structure and the Church, advances in science and medicine. She describes Austen's dealings with them as "glances"---an implied commentary.
Another thing the biographer brought to my attention, in respect to the writer in me---and in Austen---was that Jane Austen never had that quiet place that I seem not to be able to write without. "The encouragement of her imagination did not arise from conditions offered her by others." I am always looking for that place of solitude---the "Perfect Place to Write." Yet, Jane Austen just wrote wherever she was and however she could---no matter what was going on around her. I can't expect others to pave the way for me. If I really want to finish that story that I'm working on, I need to make it happen.
After reading this short bio, I'm more encouraged to track down some of her published correspondence. Maybe I'll have the chance to find some on my trip to England next month.… (more)
I love Shields' metaphor of "glances" on page 3-4. She discusses how Austen never really goes into detail about some of the things that were so newsworthy in her day: the Napoleonic wars, changes in societal structure and the Church, advances in science and medicine. She describes Austen's dealings with them as "glances"---an implied commentary.
Another thing the biographer brought to my attention, in respect to the writer in me---and in Austen---was that Jane Austen never had that quiet place that I seem not to be able to write without. "The encouragement of her imagination did not arise from conditions offered her by others." I am always looking for that place of solitude---the "Perfect Place to Write." Yet, Jane Austen just wrote wherever she was and however she could---no matter what was going on around her. I can't expect others to pave the way for me. If I really want to finish that story that I'm working on, I need to make it happen.
After reading this short bio, I'm more encouraged to track down some of her published correspondence. Maybe I'll have the chance to find some on my trip to England next month.… (more)
Over my life of wanna be writer, I’ve bought and tossed many a book on writing. So few of them offer any real insights or wisdom; so many are more about pumping out books or variable merit.
I should have started here. I know Carol Shields’ writing and love it- this book, compiled by her children, is full of her down to earth magic. Carol started writing late, but succeeded in her goal of portraying truth through fiction.
I don’t want to write a book. I want to have written a quality book. Startle and Illuminate gives me the courage to go on, to aim for truth in my work.… (more)
I should have started here. I know Carol Shields’ writing and love it- this book, compiled by her children, is full of her down to earth magic. Carol started writing late, but succeeded in her goal of portraying truth through fiction.
I don’t want to write a book. I want to have written a quality book. Startle and Illuminate gives me the courage to go on, to aim for truth in my work.… (more)
Lists
Five star books (2)
Favourite Books (1)
Gimmicks (1)
Best Biographies (1)
Allie's Wishlist (1)
Big Jubilee List (1)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 40
- Also by
- 15
- Members
- 16,515
- Popularity
- #1,374
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 361
- ISBNs
- 439
- Languages
- 18
- Favorited
- 73
