Margaret Laurence profundiza en las complejidades de la existencia humana en las praderas canadienses a través de la ciudad ficticia de Manawaka. Sus obras exploran la vida interior de los personajes con profunda profundidad, examinando temas de identidad, memoria y resiliencia frente a los desafíos de la vida. Laurence aborda su escritura con una aguda perspicacia psicológica, capturando hábilmente los matices de la experiencia humana. Su prosa se caracteriza por un lenguaje rico y evocador y un compromiso con el realismo psicológico.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
" ... a compelling journey seen through the eyes of a woman nearing the end of her life. At ninety, Hagar Shipley speaks movingly of the perils of growing old and reflects with bitterness, humor, and a painful awareness of her own frailties on the life she has led. From her childhood as the daughter of a respected merchant, to her rebellious marriage, Hagar has fought a long and sometimes misguided battle for independence and respect. In the course of examining and trying to understand the shape her life has taken, her divided feelings about her husband, her passionate attachment to one son and her neglect of another, she is sometimes regretful, but rarely penitent. Asking forgiveness from neither God nor those around her, she must still wrestle with her own nature: 'Pride was my wilderness, and the demon that led me there was fear.' She has been afraid of being unrespectable, afraid of needing too much, afraid of giving too much, and her pride is both disturbing and inspiring."--500 Great Books by Women; review by Sonja Larsen.
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.
