Mary Swann

Description

'One of the best novels I have read this year. Its 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.

Carol Shields's novels include Larry's Party (1997), winner of the 1998 Orange Prize; The Republic of Love (1992); Happenstance (1991) and Mary Swann (1990). Dressing Up for the Carnival, a bestselling collection of short stories, was published in 2000, and a previous collection, Various Miracles, was published in 1994. Born and brought up in Chicago, Carol Shields has lived in Canada since 1957. She was the Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg.

'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