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Duet
Orange Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning Carol Shields’ tender, funny and wonderfully insightful portrait of two sisters struggling to rediscover themselves amidst the perplexing swirl of family life.
Judith is a biographer whose life is subsumed by her eccentric husband, her secretive children and the Victorian novelist who is her subject. Her sister Charleen is a single mother and lapsed poet. While Judith analyses the minutiae of lives past and present, Charleen battles her own past ghosts and wonders desperately what her life has been about. As their mother’s wedding approaches, both sisters must come to terms with the paths they have chosen.
Originally published as two companion Small Ceremonies and The Box Garden.
Judith is a biographer whose life is subsumed by her eccentric husband, her secretive children and the Victorian novelist who is her subject. Her sister Charleen is a single mother and lapsed poet. While Judith analyses the minutiae of lives past and present, Charleen battles her own past ghosts and wonders desperately what her life has been about. As their mother’s wedding approaches, both sisters must come to terms with the paths they have chosen.
Originally published as two companion Small Ceremonies and The Box Garden.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2003
About the author
Carol Shields
63 books633 followersCarol Ann Shields was an American-born Canadian author. She is best known for her successful 1993 novel The Stone Diaries, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the Governor General's Award. Her novel Swann won the Best Novel Arthur Ellis Award in 1988.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 6, 2019
I think the last Carol Shields book I read was her Stone Diaries, - I'd forgotten what an excellent writer she is. The first book is about Judith - and I initially thought the women on the cover were her daughter and Judith - but then the tangential reference to her younger sister who is a poet made sense. These were first published in 1976 and '77, which is why their curious datedness is acceptable - but I found the complicated attitude towards their mother so much more acceptable than the tendency that seems rife nowadays (see Reddit!) to cut off any relationship that is not easy, positive and accepting. Both these women struggle with their mom, and I did like the easy way the grandchildren handle the same woman! I see that from both sides, having been both a child and a granny!
June 22, 2018
At last I read a book to the end, after half-reading loads. This is such fine writing, I must now look up her entire back catalogue. The plot is a bit thin, but the characters are so well-drawn, and the descriptions of them are finely tuned. Recommend
December 31, 2023
This us actually her first two novels, packaged together into one book. I enjoyed them both, but the writing was similar enough that I would have preferred not to read them back to back. From John Sandoe books in Chelsea, London. (Small Ceremonies + The Box Garden)
May 27, 2017
Well written. A pair of books, as the title suggests. Two sisters, each book largely about one sister. I would rate them 3 and a half if I could. Just not absorbing enough for 4.
May 30, 2011
I struggled to get into this book and found both characters quite hard to like and rather tedious to spend time with. The book is written in two sections - each written by one of the sisters talking about their lives (in details) and referencing their family (a little). The final few chapters are OK but felt like too much of a plot change to be credible and enjoyable. Carol Shields writing is wonderful, as ever, though.
October 20, 2011
This book consists of 2 novellas, each written by two sisters. One sister has emerged relatively mentally unscathed from an upbringing by a disturbed mother- the other is quite damaged.
Nothing much happens here but the writing style and the stories and reminiscences are wonderful.The ending of the second book is great. Delighted to have discovered this Canadian writer and will definitely read more of her
Nothing much happens here but the writing style and the stories and reminiscences are wonderful.The ending of the second book is great. Delighted to have discovered this Canadian writer and will definitely read more of her
October 10, 2012
This novel is two in one, Small Ceremonies and The Box Garden. Each one featuring one of two sisters. Reading this reminded me of how much I enjoy Carol Shields' books. It's not so much the story as the way she draws you into the lives and feelings of her characters that appeals. Reading this made me feel as if I was luxuriating in something special that made me feel good.
March 19, 2013
I think she was a genius. This book had two enjoyable voices, very little drama and much warmth. There were a few small surprises too, and plenty of wit. Much of the writing is so rich that I often re-read or read passages aloud to my husband. Carol Shields was strongest on relationships, psychology and emotions, plus the detail of the everyday contexts to our lives.
March 13, 2011
I do love Carol Shields. This book actually consists of two separate books written early in her career, each about a sister. I enjoyed it immensely. Her characters are interesting, far from perfect and not always likeable, but honest.
December 22, 2017
I read this book some years ago but had forgotten the story until about half way through. A lovely book with accurate and in depth characterisations. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews