Carol Shields' The Stone Diaries is lauded for its intricate portrayal of an ordinary woman's life, capturing the essence of femininity and human experience. Reviewers praise its rich narrative and character depth, though some find its fragmented structure challenging. Overall, it is celebrated for its emotional depth and profound reflections on life's moments.

Readers who appreciate introspective novels with strong character development and a focus on ordinary lives would enjoy The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. Fans of books like Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith will find similar themes of personal resilience and everyday struggles.

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields is the fictional autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, whose life spans much of the 20th century in North America. The novel, which jumps in time and perspective, begins with Daisy's birth and her mother's death and follows her life as she navigates family, love, loss, and self-discovery. The narrative incorporates multiple characters' viewpoints, family tree diagrams, and "real" photos, exploring the lines between reality and fiction. Sexual feelings from an adult towards a child are described.

Carol Shields

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Stone Diaries reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Stone Diaries | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Stone Diaries and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Stone Diaries Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

The Stone Diaries Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

The Stone Diaries Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-10

The Stone Diaries Chapters 7-10 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Stone Diaries Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Stone Diaries Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Stone Diaries Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Stone Diaries Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Stone Diaries Essay Topics

The Stone Diaries

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Stone Diaries?

Reading Age

Book Details