A Memoir of Friendship: The Letters Between Carol Shields and Blanche Howard

by Blanche Howard, Allison Howard (Editor)

A Memoir of Friendship is a rich collection of the letters Shields and Howard exchanged from 1975 to 2003. Carol Shields took her place on the world literary stage when she won the Pulitzer Prize for The Stone Diaries . Blanche Howard, 22 years older than Carol and herself a published, award-winning author, became Shields's mentor and confidante.Written with humour and insight, this window into their daily lives explores their friendship, their disappointment and joys, their ambitions, and their thoughts on other writers and the craft of writing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Memoir

576 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2007

About the author

Read a review of Dreaming in a Digital World at
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Reviews

[J. E. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because I have always admired Carol Shields, and reading this was like getting to be her friend. It reminded me, at a critical time, not to give up my dream of becoming an author myself. And, on top of all that good stuff, I contacted Blanche Howard and now have an email correspondence with her in which she has encouraged me in my writing. This book kind of changed my life. Highly recommended if you are a fan of either one or if you love to read the letters that women friends write to each other.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…A Memoir of Friendship can be viewed as a social history of women’s writing in Canada…A significant achievement and a landmark book.” -Joan Clark, The Globe and Mail

“A Memoir of Friendship is a dialogue of grace and generosity…It is also surprisingly gripping, propelled by suspense over acceptance for publication, family vissisitudes and – most moving and harrowing – health, especially that of Shields herself.” - Quill & Quire

“Filled with insights into the lives of women as wives, mothers and Canadian writers…A rich and intimate portrait of two women who loved and respected one another.” – The Calgary Sun

Random Quotations

Am I sounding curmudgeonly rather than grandmotherly? Find a tendency to this as the years fly by. -Blanch, June 26, 1991

We seem to stand in relation to one another as mutual mentors, since I am always in awe of your talent and studying your work and methods for enlightenment. Odd to have a relationship where mentorship works both ways, isn’t it?” -Blanche, Nov. 17, 1993

“I read a review of this book in The Globe a couple of weeks ago [Carolyn Heilbrun's The Last Gift of Time: Life Beyond Sixty] and went straight out and bought it. About getting older. About long marriages. I don’t agree with her about everything… ” -Carol, July 15, 1997

“I finished Carolyn Heilbrun last night and can’t thank you enough…I do think though that there is a change in the pattern of consciousness in one’s sixties, a sort of stepping-back and summing-up that isn’t done at all deliberately. What she said about unwanted detailed memories of scenes from earlier times was right on…” – Blanche, August 6, 1997

“I’d be interested to know what you think of Fugitive Pieces. An odd book, not satisfying to me. In fact it made me a little cross…” -Carol, December 1, 1997

“Aren’t people curious in their expectations, at least those of a certain age. I had an e-mail exchange from a local theology student who wondered why we had to resolve the novel with adultery at all. I tried to explain that I thought it was a reality in the world (but then, how would I know!) -Carol, October 15, 1998

“Thank you belatedly, for this wonderful book, Stett. I devoured it. I love her, Diana Athill, her fairness and wit. Don’t you just sense what a wonderful conversation we could have with her? She is open and tactful and cordial and polite. And smart. -Carol, January 26, 2002

These are just a random selection. My copy of the book is full of flags. Aside from the concerns of family, publishing, professional events and aging, the book could easily serve as a guide for choosing interesting reading: I was reminded of a number of titles, some of which I have read and others which I never got to which I have marked with a flag so that I can go back and check. This could be called a quiet book or a comfort read but it is more than both those things. It is a little like conversations in a cozy room warmed by a fire or a kitchen filled with the aroma of baking. It is one of those books that might have the potential to become a friend itself.



- See more at: http://www.readerwoman.com/?p=1100#st...

[Emily Pomeroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a friend commented to me, "it is a modern day Virginia and Vita." Fantastically tragic and a wonderful look into the lives of two women who share their passion for writing, their struggles and their triumphs.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A What a fantastic book. Makes me hope my letters with V would be antholozied like this. Fantastic friendship via letters (and later, emails) about the friendship b/t two writers, Carol and Blanche. They discuss books, writing, publishing frustration, friends, families. Just really fascinating.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn't put this down....a wonderful exchange of letters over 30 years between two dear friends....in many respects, this keeps Carol Shields (a favourite author of mine) alive long after her untimely death.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of letters between Carol Shields and Blanche Howard. As well as reading, I am collating a list of the books they read for myself and my sister Arlene, whose book I borrowed.

[Emily Pomeroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the honest quality of these letters. It seems rare to find a friendship so fulfilling.

[Elen Ghulam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally boring.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the life of one of Canada's best writer's. A must-read for any Carol Shields fans.