Carol Shields

"Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve."

Carol Shields’ novels include Larry’s Party (1997), winner of the 1998 Orange Prize; The Stone Diaries (1993), winner of the Pulitzer Prize and shortlisted for the Booker 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. She was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for the second time in 2002 with Unless.

What genre does Carol Shields write in?

Carol Shields is best known as a literary fiction writer; her published work includes novels and short story collections.

Which of her books have won major awards?

The Stone Diaries (1993) won the Pulitzer Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Larry's Party (1997) won the 1998 Orange Prize. Unless was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2002.

Are her books part of a series or standalone works?

Her novels and story collections are standalone works rather than entries in an ongoing series.

Where is a good place to start reading Carol Shields?

Good entry points are The Stone Diaries (Pulitzer Prize winner) or Larry's Party (Orange Prize winner) for novels, and Dressing Up for the Carnival or Various Miracles for her short fiction.