Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Toronto: Totem, 1979
Description
The story of a woman dancing on the edge of a difficult life Ever since her husband left her--seemingly vanishing into thin air--Charleen Forrest has supported herself and her fifteen-year-old son on what she earns as an obscure poet and part-time gofer for an even more obscure scientific journal. But when her estranged mother remarries, prompting an unplanned reunion, Charleen finds herself moving out of her familiar existence. A dazzling counterpoint to Shields's debut novel, Small Ceremonies, imbued with her scathing wit and dead-on observations, The Box Garden is an unforgettable portrait of a woman who finds transformation--and happiness--where she least expects it.
User reviews
LibraryThing member 1morechapter
I’ve said it before and I know I’ll say it again, but I still plan on reading all of Carol Shields’ work. This is my fourth Shields’ novel, and while it wasn’t as good as the other three, The Stone Diaries, Unless, and Larry’s Party, it still ranks as a 4 star book. The three I had
Charleen Forrest is a divorced poet with a son. Charleen has all the ordinary issues with her ex-husband and with her mother (who doesn’t?), but the way Shields writes about them are anything but ordinary.
“My breakdown too; that’s the part I didn’t confess, the part I conceal even from myself except when I am absolutely alone in the middle of the night as I am now. The day Watson left, everything more or less fell apart for me, too. The world, which I was just beginning to perceive, was spoiled. Everything ruined, everthing scattered. Scattered like me, the way I’m scattered through this house.”
When I read her books, it is as if she is peering into my mind and soul and speaking directly to me. She always goes to the heart of the matter. I regret her early death from cancer. I feel like the literary world missed out on some wonderful stories that she unfortunately had to leave unwritten. You know the question that’s always asked about which author you’d like to meet and have dinner with, alive or dead? Without a doubt, mine would be Carol Shields.
“I suppose this is why I love novels, because novels are not just about what people do, but they’re about what people think.” — Carol Shields
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previously read were the last three she wrote, while The Box Garden was written in 1977 and was only her second novel.Charleen Forrest is a divorced poet with a son. Charleen has all the ordinary issues with her ex-husband and with her mother (who doesn’t?), but the way Shields writes about them are anything but ordinary.
“My breakdown too; that’s the part I didn’t confess, the part I conceal even from myself except when I am absolutely alone in the middle of the night as I am now. The day Watson left, everything more or less fell apart for me, too. The world, which I was just beginning to perceive, was spoiled. Everything ruined, everthing scattered. Scattered like me, the way I’m scattered through this house.”
When I read her books, it is as if she is peering into my mind and soul and speaking directly to me. She always goes to the heart of the matter. I regret her early death from cancer. I feel like the literary world missed out on some wonderful stories that she unfortunately had to leave unwritten. You know the question that’s always asked about which author you’d like to meet and have dinner with, alive or dead? Without a doubt, mine would be Carol Shields.
“I suppose this is why I love novels, because novels are not just about what people do, but they’re about what people think.” — Carol Shields
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LibraryThing member LukeS
In "The Box Garden" Carol Shields tells us the life-affirming story of Charleen, a mother who finds courage where she thought she had none, and realizes that her erstwhile friends find if possible to act shockingly against her interests. One of the major treats in this book, besides Ms. Shields's
BTW, this book contains the most effective description of the start of a woman's arousal this male ever read. It's a tiny part of the book, but I thought I would cite it. The book is very sparse on description, but we follow Charleen's internal journey, which is set against the backdrop of a rail journey through Canada, to a rewarding job and a rewarding relationship. It's all told in wonderful, understated prose. I recommend it very highly.
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main characters, is a very offbeat set of supporting characters, one of whom actually kidnaps Charleen's son as part of some deranged mission on Charleen's behalf.BTW, this book contains the most effective description of the start of a woman's arousal this male ever read. It's a tiny part of the book, but I thought I would cite it. The book is very sparse on description, but we follow Charleen's internal journey, which is set against the backdrop of a rail journey through Canada, to a rewarding job and a rewarding relationship. It's all told in wonderful, understated prose. I recommend it very highly.
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LibraryThing member debnance
A small, wonderful story.
LibraryThing member LARA335
A divorced woman goes back home to celebrate her mother's second wedding. Wry observations of family and relationships, and powerful characterisations - especially of the life-squelching elderly mother.
LibraryThing member DeanClark
Couldn't get into it. Protagonist is thirty eight-year-old destitute single mother.
LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
In a nutshell, Box Garden paints an uneasy picture of a grown woman returning home to attend the wedding of her elderly mother. Charleen lives a very unsettled life. Divorced. Single mom. Dating. Strained relationships with everyone around her. She lives a sparse life by choice and seems incredibly
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fragile. However, when confronted with a series of intensely emotional situations, Charleen emerges as a surprisingly strong and capable woman. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1977
Physical description
213 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
000222030X / 9780002220309