Tuesday, May 01, 2007

BOOKS: That's a-maze-ing!*

Anyone who's read Carol Shields's novel Larry's Party will know that the titular character is a specialist in labyrinths, and that labyrinths and mazes provide the thematic backdrop for the novel. What you might not know is that this is one of my all-time favourite novels, for reasons that are hard for me to pin down and explain. In fact, I love this book so much that I had one of the maze designs that begins each chapter tattooed on my back.

And that's why this article made me very happy:
Organizers of an unconventional tribute to beloved Canadian author Carol Shields are set to break ground in Winnipeg on Monday.

The late author's family, friends and fans will gather in the city's King's Park for a lunchtime sod-turning ceremony before construction of the Carol Shields Memorial Labyrinth.

I may need to make a pilgrimage to Winnipeg. Road trip! Who's with me?

*I'm so sorry. No one's more disappointed in me than me.

9 comments:

Quillhill said...

only if you drive

Carol Blymire said...

I bought this book at my favorite bookstore in London (John Sandoe Books in Chelsea) about 8 or 9 years ago (I think) and loved it, too.

Tammy said...

Dang, I don't have my license. I was hoping you'd drive, Quillhill.

Anonymous said...

(veering wildly off topic) Did you know there's a maze at the Van Dusen Botanic Gardens?

Anonymous said...

That's freaking awesome! I've never felt compelled to read Carol Shields, but now I'm interested.

PS ** That's a very cool headline, Doppelganger, and I hope if you ever visit my blog you remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery :-)

Anonymous said...

Sounds interesting. I added it to my wishlist. I've had a Carol Shields novel (can't remember the title)in my bookcase for years, but never read it. Now I'll have to look for it and give it a try.

Bybee said...

Now I've got to hunt for this novel so I can see the maze design! I've only read The Stone Diaries, which I liked very much. My Canadian coworker loaned me Dressing Up For The Carnival, which I haven't read yet. I also want to read her last novel, Unless. So happy there's a memorial for her, and one that's so creative.

Anonymous said...

The first sounds like it's maybe a Robin Cook book?

A list of his books is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook%2C_Robin

Each has it's own link to a plot synopsis, but rather than look through them all, I thought one of the titles might ring a bell?

Kailana said...

Oh, what a great idea! I will have to remember so I can take a trek out to see this one of these days.