'One of the best novels I have read this year. It's deft, funny, poignant, surprising and beautifully shaped.' Margaret Atwood
'One of the best novels I have read this year. It's deft, funny, poignant, surprising and beautifully shaped.' Margaret Atwood
Mary Swann, a latter-day Emily Dickinson, submitted a paper bag of poems to newspaper editor Frederic Cruzzi mere hours before her husband hacked her to pieces. How could someone who led such a dull, sheltered life produce these works of genius? Four very different people search for the elusive answer.
'Quite excellent. Hers is a name to set beside those of Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro.' Anita Brookner, Spectator
'A funny, compassionate, open-handed novel. A worthy British debut from a fine Canadian author.' Glasgow Herald
'Formally ingenious and inventive, strikingly evocative of place, of character, of the world of things, capable of both comedy and tenderness, and above all beautifully written.' LRB
'Clearly a work of an experienced and skilful writer. This is not only a first-rate read, it is also sophisticated and ingeniously crafted.' Listener
Carol Shields is American born, spent three years in Manchester in the 60s, but now lives in Canada. Married with five children. Her first novel was published in 1990.