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thaurisil's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second time I've read The Stone Diaries, and once again I'm struck by the beauty of the prose, the author's ability to convey complex insights and emotions, the adaptability of the language to the era, be it the 1900s or the 1990s, and most of all, the vivid characterisation.
The book traces the life of Daisy Goodwill, from her birth accompanied by her mother's death, through two marriages, the first of which ended prematurely after her husband's death on their honeymoon. After her second husband's death, we see her attempts to find fulfillment through work and her subsequent depression, right through to her death. Despite this being an autobiography of Daisy's life, we know more about the motivations, dreams and personalities of the numerous characters in her life, all realistically and succinctly sketched for us, than about Daisy herself. Even the theories regarding the causes of her middle-aged depression reflect more the priorities her individual friends and family members have than the real cause of her sorrow.
What is significant in life? Cuyler Goodwill, Daisy's father, becomes a successful businessman, yet he quickly fades once past his prime, and his last thought before dying is the wife of his youth who died prematurely in childbirth. Magnus Flett, Daisy's father-in-law, refuses to compromise pride to pursue his estranged wife, yet he eventually memorises Jane Eyre, a book that a tough man like him would otherwise never read, out of remembrance of his wife. Daisy herself undergoes a lifelong quest for her place in her own life, for authenticity in the midst of the tragic events that overwhelm her, and in the absence of a mother, for ancestral roots to anchor her to this world. As Daisy seeks a sense of belonging, her personality seems submerged. She struggles to please those around her so much so that we never know the true Daisy; even her children do not know the true Daisy.
Other concepts explored include the mismatch of desires and reality, the making and breaking of lives, the distortions of memory, and the cycle of life that constantly turns and leaves us to make do with what we have. On the whole this is an excellent thought-provoking book that explores the role of the 20th century woman. I look forward to reading Carol Shields' other works.
The book traces the life of Daisy Goodwill, from her birth accompanied by her mother's death, through two marriages, the first of which ended prematurely after her husband's death on their honeymoon. After her second husband's death, we see her attempts to find fulfillment through work and her subsequent depression, right through to her death. Despite this being an autobiography of Daisy's life, we know more about the motivations, dreams and personalities of the numerous characters in her life, all realistically and succinctly sketched for us, than about Daisy herself. Even the theories regarding the causes of her middle-aged depression reflect more the priorities her individual friends and family members have than the real cause of her sorrow.
What is significant in life? Cuyler Goodwill, Daisy's father, becomes a successful businessman, yet he quickly fades once past his prime, and his last thought before dying is the wife of his youth who died prematurely in childbirth. Magnus Flett, Daisy's father-in-law, refuses to compromise pride to pursue his estranged wife, yet he eventually memorises Jane Eyre, a book that a tough man like him would otherwise never read, out of remembrance of his wife. Daisy herself undergoes a lifelong quest for her place in her own life, for authenticity in the midst of the tragic events that overwhelm her, and in the absence of a mother, for ancestral roots to anchor her to this world. As Daisy seeks a sense of belonging, her personality seems submerged. She struggles to please those around her so much so that we never know the true Daisy; even her children do not know the true Daisy.
Other concepts explored include the mismatch of desires and reality, the making and breaking of lives, the distortions of memory, and the cycle of life that constantly turns and leaves us to make do with what we have. On the whole this is an excellent thought-provoking book that explores the role of the 20th century woman. I look forward to reading Carol Shields' other works.
maribooked's review against another edition
4.0
Η Ντέιζι έρχεται ξαφνικά στον κόσμο από τη μητέρα της που αγνοεί τόσο καιρό ότι είναι έγκυος και θεωρεί ότι έχει κάποια αρρώστια. Έτσι η Ντέιζι θα γεννηθεί, αλλά θα την φροντίσει μια άλλη γυναίκα, μιας που η μητέρα της δεν τα κατάφερε. Η μικρή Ντέιζι θα γίνει η σανίδα σωτηρίας της γυναίκας αυτής που από καιρό ήθελε να αφήσει τον άντρα της και να ξεκινήσει νέα ζωή μακριά του.
Τα πέτρινα ημερολόγια μας αφηγείται την ιστορία της Ντέιζι, μιας γυναίκας που από την γέννηση της φαίνονταν πως δεν θα είχε εύκολη ζωή.Μιας γυναίκας που έλαβε πολλή αγάπη, αλλά πέρασε και πολλές δυσκολίες, απώλειες προσωπικές αλλά και επαγγελματικές. Μέσα από όλα αυτά θα πέσει, αλλά θα σηκωθεί και οι πληγές της θα επουλωθούν κάνοντας την ακομα πιο δυνατή.
Με παρέσυρε η γραφή της, τόσο ρεαλιστική που ολοκληρώνοντας το βιβλίο ένιωθα συγκινημένη και γεμάτη. Είναι από τα βιβλία που δεν χρειάζεται να γραφτούν πολλά, απλά χρειάζεται να το διαβάσετε.
Τα πέτρινα ημερολόγια μας αφηγείται την ιστορία της Ντέιζι, μιας γυναίκας που από την γέννηση της φαίνονταν πως δεν θα είχε εύκολη ζωή.Μιας γυναίκας που έλαβε πολλή αγάπη, αλλά πέρασε και πολλές δυσκολίες, απώλειες προσωπικές αλλά και επαγγελματικές. Μέσα από όλα αυτά θα πέσει, αλλά θα σηκωθεί και οι πληγές της θα επουλωθούν κάνοντας την ακομα πιο δυνατή.
Με παρέσυρε η γραφή της, τόσο ρεαλιστική που ολοκληρώνοντας το βιβλίο ένιωθα συγκινημένη και γεμάτη. Είναι από τα βιβλία που δεν χρειάζεται να γραφτούν πολλά, απλά χρειάζεται να το διαβάσετε.
seaswift14's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
navut's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
medievalisting's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bbrad86's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
caramm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
helgamharb's review against another edition
4.0
Things begin, things end...
The Stone Diaries is the story of Daisy Goodwill, her ups and downs in life in the twentieth century and the choices she makes or has to make.
This is a tale about love, tenderness and courage.
She just let her life happen to her.
faintgirl's review against another edition
4.0
The Stone Diaries is a really good read, beautifully written, and exceptionally moving. It tells of the life of Daisy Goodwill, born in surprise on a kitchen floor in Manitoba, Canada, until her death in a Nursing Home in Florida. Daisy leads a decent life that is somehow not quite her own, and this story is an attempt to figure out why.
Carol Shields's prose is poetic yet not overdone, easy to read yet incredibly thought provoking. Showing the importance of family ties, the changes in the attitudes of society, it's a marvellous and speedy read to be highly recommended.
Carol Shields's prose is poetic yet not overdone, easy to read yet incredibly thought provoking. Showing the importance of family ties, the changes in the attitudes of society, it's a marvellous and speedy read to be highly recommended.