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Margaret Laurence

    July 18, 1926 – January 5, 1987

    Margaret Laurence delves into the complexities of human existence on the Canadian prairies through the fictional town of Manawaka. Her works explore the inner lives of characters with profound depth, examining themes of identity, memory, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Laurence approaches her writing with keen psychological insight, deftly capturing the nuances of the human experience. Her prose is characterized by rich, evocative language and a commitment to psychological realism.

    Margaret Laurence
    The Lamp at Noon and Other Stories
    This Side Jordan
    The Diviners
    The Fire-Dwellers
    The Tomorrow-Tamer
    A Bird in the House
    • 2023

      Exploring the challenges of cultural communication in 1950s Somaliland, the narrative captures Margaret Laurence's experiences alongside her engineer husband. Through her encounters with local orators, poets, and craftsmen, she gains insight into the resilience and creativity of the Somali people. Blending travelogue and autobiography, it celebrates human nature and the shared struggle for survival in a harsh environment, making it a poignant read for anyone who has felt like an outsider.

      The Prophet's Camel Bell: Penguin Modern Classics Edition
    • 2020

      Focusing on Canada's diverse landscape and societal issues, this critical edition compiles over fifty essays by esteemed author Margaret Laurence. Covering various themes such as politics and literature, the essays reflect her insights and experiences from the 1960s to the 1980s, showcasing her deep connection to the nation and its people. This collection highlights Laurence's significant contributions to Canadian literature and her unique perspective on the cultural and political landscape of the time.

      Recognition and Revelation: Short Nonfiction Writings Volume 251
    • 2020

      The Tomorrow-Tamer

      Penguin Modern Classics Edition

      • 264 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      Set against the backdrop of post-colonial Ghana, the ten stories explore the lives of both European and African characters grappling with the challenges of newfound freedom. Laurence vividly contrasts modernity with traditional tribal customs, creating a rich tapestry of cultural conflict. Her compassionate storytelling reveals the struggles and resilience of individuals navigating a rapidly changing world, showcasing her talent for capturing the complexities of human experience in a vibrant and often unsettling environment.

      The Tomorrow-Tamer
    • 2018

      The Fire-Dwellers

      • 304 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      A vivid portrait of a woman convinced that life has more to offer her than the tedious routine of her days.

      The Fire-Dwellers
    • 2017

      A Bird in the House

      Penguin Modern Classics Edition

      • 208 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      4.2(60)Add rating

      The book presents a lyrical exploration of growing up through eight interconnected stories centered around Vanessa MacLeod. Set against a backdrop of natural beauty, it delves into themes of family dynamics, love, and the complexities of transitioning into womanhood. Each finely crafted narrative contributes to a cohesive and emotionally resonant portrayal of a girl's journey, highlighting both the joys and struggles of her experiences. This work stands out for its poignant and compassionate storytelling.

      A Bird in the House
    • 2017

      A Jest of God

      • 256 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      4.0(58)Add rating

      A duty-ridden woman dreams of breaking free from her small-town chains.

      A Jest of God
    • 2010

      "Ross' style is always beautifully matched to his material - spare, lean, honest, no gimmicks, and yet in its very simplicity setting up continuing echoes in the mind." - Margaret Laurence --Book Jacket.

      The Lamp at Noon and Other Stories
    • 1993

      The Diviners

      • 402 pages
      • 15 hours of reading
      4.2(60)Add rating

      The life of a woman novelist living in a small town in Canada.

      The Diviners
    • 1989

      In 1957, the British colony of the Gold Coast broke free to become the independent nation of Ghana. Margaret Laurence’s first novel, This Side Jordan, recreates that colour-drenched world: a place where men and women struggle with self-betrayal, self-discovery, and the dawning of political pride.This Side Jordan transcends the traditional limits of the first novel. Its powerful and compassionate characterizations and its themes of exile and community anticipate the five later novels that make up Laurence’s acclaimed Manawaka series. A major work of lasting significance, This Side Jordan creates echoes in the mind of the reader as resonant as the drums of Ghana.

      This Side Jordan
    • 1987

      Hagar Shipley, a proud and irascible nonagenarian, retreats in the face of her approaching death and the bitter squabbling of her son and his wife to reflect on her past - her childhood marriage to tough-talking Bram Shipley, her two sons, the harshness of farm life on the prairie, her own failures and the failures and betrayals of others. A bloody minded and independent woman to the end, she embarks on a final wild escapade.

      The Stone Angel (Virago modern classics)