January '05 Book Club Selection

**theworm**[$] · #1 11-09-2004, 05:08 PM

The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields

Thanks, Sharon!!

ms_n · #2 11-09-2004, 07:51 PM

Sure, Wormie! Hope you get a chance to enjoy it. I've enjoyed the first few pages. LOL

ms_n · #3 12-27-2004, 12:12 AM

OK. The Stone Diaries is now the January selection.

Being a procrastinator, I am really proud of myself for finishing this book. I enjoyed it. Enjoy probably isn't the right word. It was a depressing story. Booey-hooey. It kind of settled into the pit of my stomach and unsettled it. The writing however, was thoughtful and methodical. It is a well-woven story that makes its fiction believable.

Here are some questions to stimulate discussion. I don't intend for you to answer them all. I thought them up as an aid to help bounce off ideas and start discussion. Choose whatever you like and add thoughts and questions of your own as you are inspired. All ideas are warmly welcomed. I am looking forward to them. Enjoy your reading.

BTW, it would probably be a good idea not to read the questions until after you are done. I'm not very good at hiding important stuff.

-Who is your favorite character and why?
-Why is the book entitled The Stone Diaries (pp. 86, 358, and 359 may
be helpful)?
-What was the significance of Mercy Goodwill's ring? What did it symbolize
(pp. 182, 279)?
-The author uses letters and a series of theories by other characters to shed
light into Daisy's life. Do you feel these were an effective way to learn
about Daisy? Do you feel that you know Daisy Goodwill Flett well? How
would you describe her?
-After reading Mrs. Flett's theory what theory do you have about Daisy's
depression (pp. 261-263)?
-What, if anything, do you think was missing from Daisy's life?
-What different choices could Daisy have made to change the outcome of her
life? Is there any point where she could have done something differently to
bring more meaning or happiness into her life?
-What did Daisy gain from meeting Magnus Flett?
-Which character's life do you think is the most fulfilled?
-How does the poem that appears on the page before the family tree located
at the beginning of the book relate to the story?
-On pages 65-68 the author explores the definition of religion. How would you
describe Daisy's religion?
-Conrast Cuyler's death (pp. 271-280) to Daisy's (pp. 357-361). How are
they different?

Here are some characters from the book for your reference:

Mercy Stone Goodwill
Cuyler Goodwill, Maria
Daisy Goodwill Flett
Joan, Alice, Warren Flett
Clarentine Flett, Magnus Flett
Simon, Andrew, Barker Flett
the old Jew-Abram Gozhdre Skutari
Dr. Spears, Mrs Spears (p. 182)
Mrs Arthure Hoad
Harold Hoad
Elfreda "Fraidy" Hoyt
Lafina "Beans" Anthony Taylor
Bessie Perfect Trumble (p. 122)
Cora Mae Milltown (p. 129)
Beverly Flett
Victoria, Lewis Roy
Jay Dudley, Pinky Fulham
Mr. Sinclair
Reverend Rick
Emma
The Flowers- Lily, Myrtle, Gladys

**theworm**[$] · #4 12-29-2004, 03:12 PM

Hey! If any of you don't have The Stone Diaries yet, barnesandnoble.com has it in their post-holiday sale for $4.98.

**mtomm**[$] · #5 01-07-2005, 04:00 PM

I'm reading this book and liking it. I'm hoping it doesn't get anymore depressing!

*emeleel* · #6 01-07-2005, 05:16 PM

I got it at the library the other day. I'm not really "into" it so far, but not so bad that I think I won't be able to finish it.

**theworm**[$] · #7 01-07-2005, 05:29 PM

I'm going to start it this weekend.
Still haven't finished A Separate Peace. I'm figuring that if it's taking THIS long to read a 200 page book, I'm not going to finish. I want to know what happens but I just can't get into it. I feel like I'm being held at a distance from the characters and story. If Stone Diaries is depressing, I should get right into it.

ms_n · #8 01-09-2005, 02:00 AM

I actually had to put the book down for a while after finishing the first chapter. sigh. What a way to start out.

**theworm**[$] · #9 01-09-2005, 10:03 AM

I just finished the first chapter. Yes, it's sad, but I like it. The writing style is so rich! It may be a sad story, but I think its going to be a great read. I keep seeing the color of those berries soaking the bread in that pudding. It's beautiful imagery!! Strange that I don't "taste" the sweetness of the berries, but I "see" them - which, of course, is what Shield wanted because it mirrors the image of the red blood soaking the sheets.

Thanks, Sharon. Good selection!!

ms_n · #10 01-09-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

theworm said

I keep seeing the color of those berries soaking the bread in that pudding. It's beautiful imagery!! Strange that I don't "taste" the sweetness of the berries, but I "see" them - which, of course, is what Shield wanted because it mirrors the image of the red blood soaking the sheets.

That's cool. I'll have to back and read that section again.

murasaki · #11 01-09-2005, 06:25 PM

I didn't really see the story as that depressing, though it is sad. Most of it just seemed like an ordinary progression of a life, specifically a woman's life. The sad part is how Daisy never really got what she wanted mostly because she never knew how to ask. Isn't that how it was and is for millions of women? Kind of "erased," as Shields says, from their own lives in that they have very little autonomy?

I think the reason Daisy was depressed was because she had found a niche as Mrs. Green Thumb--something she was an expert at, people looked up to her, asked for advice, etc.--and then to lose it after nine years. I think it was a terrible blow and might also have been some delayed mourning for Barker.

I liked the narrative technique of switching from first person to third person to third person omniscient. I think Shields handled the transitions well so they weren't jarring.

ms_n · #12 01-09-2005, 07:25 PM

Quote:

murasaki said

I didn't really see the story as that depressing, though it is sad. Most of it just seemed like an ordinary progression of a life, specifically a woman's life. The sad part is how Daisy never really got what she wanted mostly because she never knew how to ask. Isn't that how it was and is for millions of women? Kind of "erased," as Shields says, from their own lives in that they have very little autonomy?

Yes. I also felt a sense of a yearning that was never satisfied -- that all the ordinariness was not a good enough answer for Daisy. There was no peace. She came to the end of her life holding on to what she had no control over, unfulfilled by all that she truly did accomplish, and I think that is what I found depressing.

Quote:

murasaki said

I think the reason Daisy was depressed was because she had found a niche as Mrs. Green Thumb--something she was an expert at, people looked up to her, asked for advice, etc.--and then to lose it after nine years. I think it was a terrible blow and might also have been some delayed mourning for Barker.

I like your theory, and it seems most likely to me. She needed this meaning and definition of who she was. There were other elements such as betrayal and the responsibility of raising her niece's daughter which she seemed to take in stride. Isn't it interesting how many different perspectives there were from the different characters? I liked the way the author used these perspectives to express how difficult it is to completely know one another. Daisy wasn't even able express what was inside of her and what she needed. I came away with the message that the knowing often escapes us both as players and observers.

ms_n · #13 01-09-2005, 08:57 PM

Quote:

murasaki said

I
I liked the narrative technique of switching from first person to third person to third person omniscient. I think Shields handled the transitions well so they weren't jarring.

I had to look up third person omniscient, and I am glad I did.

**theworm**[$] · #14 01-11-2005, 10:20 AM

I only just starting reading the "marriage" chapter. So far, I love this book. I think the style is very interested. I do like the way she effectively can change her narrative style.
I'm obviously not very far into the book yet, but so far I don't think its depressing - I think that there are many sad themes, but also some subtle joy. For example, Mercy's life was not what any of us would probably have wanted, but she did have joy. She took joy in cleaning. She was delighted to have her own home. She enjoyed cleaning and cooking. She had "something".
Cuyler lived a dismal life, but found incredible joy in his marriage and love for Mercy. Then, from his dispair after her death, he found something else - something in his tower, in his new carreer, his new "comfort" in his own skin.
Daisy was brought into the world in a tragedy, and lived in a sort of foster care for 11 years, but that child was loved. It seems like despite everything, she had a happy childhood.
I have most of the book yet to read, and I purposely have not read Sharons discussion questions yet, but I think that so far there are stories of happiness and survival in the novel.
And the writing style is really enjoyable.

**theworm**[$] · #15 01-11-2005, 10:21 AM

(ps. If you are enjoying this book, you may want to read Clara Callen. I read it a while back - even wrote an Epinion on it - it's a completely different story, but I find some similarities)

**lynnzop**[$] · #16 01-11-2005, 02:31 PM

Picked this up last night at the library and got through Chapter 1. I didn't find it shocking or depressing, maybe because I'd read a little of your posts here.

I do enjoy the writing style, it is conversational without being insultingly easy to read.

I'm with wormie on the imagery of the Malvern (?) pudding...it sounded really delicious from her description!!

*emeleel* · #17 01-11-2005, 04:08 PM

Sharon asked me to add my thought from the "What are you reading" thread:

Quote:

The first chapter was a little off-putting, I'm not really crazy about stories that delve into ordinary people's "passionate places", at least not the way Shields does it.

Shortly thereafter I ran into another example - did we really need to know that at age 62, Marcus Flett had shriveled testicles?

I've read a bit more today - gotten past Daisy's honeymoon and partially into the next chapter. God help me, but I laughed at the end of the honeymoon!

I have to agree that the constant switch in "voices" is very weird, and normally I can't *stand* it when an author does that, but Shields actually manages it pretty well. I'd *rather* that she would settle on one voice, at least per chapter, but it's liveable.

ms_n · #18 01-11-2005, 04:57 PM

Thanks, Melanie! You made me laugh.

It took me a while and a couple of back-reads to "get" that honeymoon moment. So , I didn't laugh at it. I just kinda went, "O-oooo-ohhhh. Ew."

ms_n · #19 01-11-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

theworm said

I only just starting reading the "marriage" chapter. So far, I love this book. I think the style is very interested. I do like the way she effectively can change her narrative style.
I'm obviously not very far into the book yet, but so far I don't think its depressing - I think that there are many sad themes, but also some subtle joy.

That's neat. I think the pessimistic part of me is showing. Most of the story was pretty dull, ordinary, and didn't make me think of any joy *at all*. I think what kept me going was the writing style. I could have posted so many quotes from the text down as being lovely.

**theworm**[$] · #20 01-11-2005, 05:08 PM

Yes. The descriptions are great and there is something musical about the writing.
Perhaps the story will get more depressing, but I'm a sucker for a good tear-jerker.

*emeleel* · #21 01-11-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

ms_n said

Thanks, Melanie! You made me laugh.

It took me a while and a couple of back-reads to "get" that honeymoon moment. So , I didn't laugh at it. I just kinda went, "O-oooo-ohhhh. Ew."

Funny, I saw it coming a mile away. That what happened, happened because of her sneeze startling him is what was the "gotcha" moment for me. I don't think she meant for one moment to be funny, but it was funny nonetheless.

Edited to add: Or maybe I just have a really twisted sense of humor.