Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Stone Diaries
Literary Fiction· Canada

The Stone Diaries

by Carol Shields
Aggregate Editorial Score74/100
★Pulitzer Prize
Published 1995361 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Stone Diaries (1995) by Carol Shields continues to receive. The life of Daisy Goodwill Flett—from her birth in 1905 to her death late in the twentieth century—is narrated in shifting perspectives and forms in Shields's Pulitzer and Booker-shortlisted novel. A quiet masterpiece of the ordinary, it examines what it means to have a woman's life go largely unrecorded. Themes of women's lives, domesticity, memory run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 1995 and Kirkus Reviews 1993.

Book Details

AuthorCarol Shields
Published1995
Country of Origin🇨🇦 Canada
LanguageEnglish
Pages361
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780140231892
Editorial Score74/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇨🇦 Canada

This book is part of Canada's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Canada →

Editorial Assessment

Carol Shields published The Stone Diaries in 1995, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Canada. The book's treatment of women's lives, domesticity, memory, Canada accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 1995; Kirkus Reviews 1993. With an editorial score of 74/100 drawn from 2 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to The Stone Diaries for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of women's lives, domesticity, memory, Canada is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Carol Shields's role in the literature of Canada is well established. The Stone Diaries can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
199555
Kirkus Reviews
notable · global
19938
✍️
About the Author
Carol Shields
Canada
View Author →

Carol Shields is a celebrated author from Canada known for influential works of literary fiction.

Designed to Feel
Bestseller by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Stone Diaries about?

The life of Daisy Goodwill Flett—from her birth in 1905 to her death late in the twentieth century—is narrated in shifting perspectives and forms in Shields's Pulitzer and Booker-shortlisted novel. A quiet masterpiece of the ordinary, it examines what it means to have a woman's life go largely unrecorded.

Who wrote The Stone Diaries?

The Stone Diaries was written by Carol Shields, from Canada. First published in 1995.

What awards has The Stone Diaries won?

The Stone Diaries has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 1995; Kirkus Reviews 1993.

Is The Stone Diaries worth reading?

The Stone Diaries is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 62/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in women's lives, domesticity, memory.

Where can I buy The Stone Diaries?

You can buy The Stone Diaries on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Stone Diaries?

The Stone Diaries is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Stone Diaries from?

The Stone Diaries originates from Canada's literary tradition. Explore more books from Canada on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇨🇦Books from Canada🇨🇦 Canada literature📅1990s BooksPublished in the 1990s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time