Small ceremony
Which brings me back to Carol’s ability to engage. I always felt that she was a unique blend of the matronly and the mischievous, able to combine the sharpest eye for character with a genuine concern for your comfort and psychological well-being. In her presence, you felt both assessed and protected, as if your measure might be taken, but you would be forgiven your sins.
– Martin Levin
The marvellous Carol Shields died last week, at the age of 68.
The news made me cry, but I couldn’t say why at the time. There was certainly the loss of what might have been, but that’s fruitless conjecture. I think it had more to do with the loss of her profound and quiet goodness in a racket tainted by sales quotas, egos and loud cynical claims.
She was one of the few writers I follow, whose near every book I’ve read – not always with equal pleasure, perhaps, but always with equal anticipation and reverence.
One of those writers with whom you knew you could sit down and talk through an easy afternoon over tea (as opposed to someone like Martin Amis, say, where you’d hope that alcohol and dim lights would be involved). You could always hear the breadth of her heart, and always struck by her great and meticulous curiosity.
I finished Unless not long ago. A perfect and effortless read, it was typical of her brilliant simplicity, her humour and preoccupations. With the added pleasure of a few digs at those critics who’ve accused her of writing light fiction.
Her work is careful and clear, finely wrought and always respectfully aware of readers’ hunger. She includes human details that so many don’t bother with, and when you’ve put the story down for the last time her characters continue to wander in your mind, and you wonder how they’re doing now.
Those who knew her invariably spoke of her generosity and humility, and I hope that any of you who’ve never read Ms. Shields will take the time and be glad, like me, to have known her.
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Comment
- I had just finished “A Celibate Season” and was beginning “The Stone Diaries” when I read the news of Ms. Shields’ passing. I was saddened as I had come late to appreciate this writer and from what I’ve read, we’ve lost someone who was not only talented, but a good human being too.
— roggey Jul 25, 11:18am # - She was one of those rare public figures who had the courage to be simply herself, without pretense. And she excelled in the difficult task of making “the ordinary” as interesting to read about as the world’s darker side…
— Michael Jul 25, 2:54pm # - I can say I’ve never read her works, but after your affecting review I certainly shall. It is always sad when true and pure talent leaves us…
— Shanna Jul 25, 3:55pm # - i started Unless in the Newark airport after security. i wept over a greater portion of the eastern seaboard for joy and sad. i finished in the cab from O’Hare. what a gift.
— jocelyn Jul 29, 11:10am # - The Stone Diaries was the first Canadian book I read, when I was, I think, 15. I learned from her that Canadian people and places are wothy of literature. TSD remains my favourite book.
— August Jul 30, 5:10pm #
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