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Divining Margaret LaurenceA Study of Her Complete Writings |
eBook Available
The most complete consideration of all the major writings of Margaret Laurence.
Margaret Laurence is justly famous for her Manawaka cycle of Canadian novels, but her work extends from Canada to Africa and includes poetry and prose, children's and adult literature, memoir and travel-writing.
Whereas previous studies focus on certain aspects of her work, Divining Margaret Laurence addresses all her important writings, including a final, unfinished manuscript - "Dance on the Earth: A Memoir." This comprehensive study of her writings, including archival material, allows Nora Stovel to trace the development of Laurence's Canadian identity, feminist sympathies, moral vision, and creative artistry.
Twenty years after her death Margaret Laurence remains one of Canada's most esteemed and beloved writers. This new critical assessment of her work is not only a testament to her literary achievement but also a valuable contribution to Canadian, African, women's, children's, travel, and fiction writing.
Whereas previous studies focus on certain aspects of her work, Divining Margaret Laurence addresses all her important writings, including a final, unfinished manuscript - "Dance on the Earth: A Memoir." This comprehensive study of her writings, including archival material, allows Nora Stovel to trace the development of Laurence's Canadian identity, feminist sympathies, moral vision, and creative artistry.
Twenty years after her death Margaret Laurence remains one of Canada's most esteemed and beloved writers. This new critical assessment of her work is not only a testament to her literary achievement but also a valuable contribution to Canadian, African, women's, children's, travel, and fiction writing.
Details
432 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773534377
August 2008
Formats: Paperback, eBook
"This is the first book that ranges across all of Laurence's work - and does so intelligently and accessibly. Divining Margaret Laurence is sorely needed." Neil Besner, associate vice-president, International, University of Winnipeg
"Stovel is arguably the pre-eminent Laurence scholar in Canada and has brought decades of scholarship to what may be considered the most comprehensive and definitive study of Laurence yet - considering the large number of writings about Laurence, it is surprising how much new material and new insight Stovel has contributed to Laurence studies with this book." Barbara Pell, Trinity Western University
"Stovel's sensitive and intelligent construction discovers an important and breathtaking addition to Laurence studies." Great Plains Quarterly.
"Stovel inserts such a prodigious amount of original scholarship and lively commentary into her exhaustive overview that even a small taste will almost certainly draw even the casual grazer into a full feasting." American Review of Canadian Studies
"Stovel is arguably the pre-eminent Laurence scholar in Canada and has brought decades of scholarship to what may be considered the most comprehensive and definitive study of Laurence yet - considering the large number of writings about Laurence, it is surprising how much new material and new insight Stovel has contributed to Laurence studies with this book." Barbara Pell, Trinity Western University
"Stovel's sensitive and intelligent construction discovers an important and breathtaking addition to Laurence studies." Great Plains Quarterly.
"Stovel inserts such a prodigious amount of original scholarship and lively commentary into her exhaustive overview that even a small taste will almost certainly draw even the casual grazer into a full feasting." American Review of Canadian Studies
Nora Foster Stovel, professor of English and film studies at the University of Alberta, has published books and articles on Jane Austen, D.H. Lawrence, Margaret Drabble, and Margaret Laurence.
Divining Margaret Laurence
Nora Foster Stovel
Table of Contents
/ ix
Acknowledgments / xiii
Chronology of Margaret Laurence’s Life and Works / xv
Books by Margaret Laurence / xvii
Abbreviations / xix
PART ONE Beginnings: “A Place to Stand On”
1 Introduction: “The Promised Land of One’s Own Inner Freedom” / 3
2 “Embryo Words”: Laurence’s Early Writings / 36
3 Heart of a Stranger: Laurence’s Life-Journey / 59
PART TWO The African Texts: “A Seven Years’ Love Affair with a Continent”
4 “A Labour of Love”: A Tree for Poverty: Somali Poetry and Prose / 87
5 “The Sleeping Giant”: Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists, 1952-1966 / 107
6 “The Face of Africa”: The Prophet’s Camel Bell, This Side
Jordan, and The Tomorrow-Tamer / 123
PART THREE The Canadian Texts: “A Small-Town Prairie Person”
7 “A Town of the Mind”: Laurence’s Mythical Microcosm of Manawaka / 155
8 “A Holy Terror”: Hagar, Hero(ine) of The Stone Angel / 172
9 “Sisters under Their Skins”: A Jest of God and The Fire-Dwellers / 203
10 “Death and Love”: Romance and Reality in A Bird in the House / 225
11 “(W)Rites of Passage”: A Portrait of the Writer in The Diviners / 245
12 “Dance on the Earth”: Laurence’s Unfinished Novel / 265
PART FOUR Endings: “Full Circle”
13 Snow Angels and Monarch Butterflies: Laurence’s Children’s Fiction / 285
14 Lady of the Dance: Choreographing a Life in Dance on the Earth: A Memoir / 303
15 “The Mystery at the Core of Life”: Closure in the Texts, Career, and Life of Margaret Laurence / 320
Notes / 333
Works Cited / 369
Index / 389
Nora Foster Stovel
Table of Contents
/ ix
Acknowledgments / xiii
Chronology of Margaret Laurence’s Life and Works / xv
Books by Margaret Laurence / xvii
Abbreviations / xix
PART ONE Beginnings: “A Place to Stand On”
1 Introduction: “The Promised Land of One’s Own Inner Freedom” / 3
2 “Embryo Words”: Laurence’s Early Writings / 36
3 Heart of a Stranger: Laurence’s Life-Journey / 59
PART TWO The African Texts: “A Seven Years’ Love Affair with a Continent”
4 “A Labour of Love”: A Tree for Poverty: Somali Poetry and Prose / 87
5 “The Sleeping Giant”: Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists, 1952-1966 / 107
6 “The Face of Africa”: The Prophet’s Camel Bell, This Side
Jordan, and The Tomorrow-Tamer / 123
PART THREE The Canadian Texts: “A Small-Town Prairie Person”
7 “A Town of the Mind”: Laurence’s Mythical Microcosm of Manawaka / 155
8 “A Holy Terror”: Hagar, Hero(ine) of The Stone Angel / 172
9 “Sisters under Their Skins”: A Jest of God and The Fire-Dwellers / 203
10 “Death and Love”: Romance and Reality in A Bird in the House / 225
11 “(W)Rites of Passage”: A Portrait of the Writer in The Diviners / 245
12 “Dance on the Earth”: Laurence’s Unfinished Novel / 265
PART FOUR Endings: “Full Circle”
13 Snow Angels and Monarch Butterflies: Laurence’s Children’s Fiction / 285
14 Lady of the Dance: Choreographing a Life in Dance on the Earth: A Memoir / 303
15 “The Mystery at the Core of Life”: Closure in the Texts, Career, and Life of Margaret Laurence / 320
Notes / 333
Works Cited / 369
Index / 389
