![]() First Canadian edition | |
Author | Carol Shields |
---|---|
Language | English |
Publisher | McGraw-Hill Ryerson |
Publication date | 1976 |
Publication place | Canada |
ISBN | 978-0070823402 |
Small Ceremonies is a 1976 novel by American-Canadian writer Carol Shields.[1] The novel centres on Judith Gill, a university academic who is writing a biography of Susanna Moodie, depicting a year in the life of her family.[2]
The novel has sometimes been described as a roman à clef, as it was published around the same time as Shields' own real-life biography of Moodie and the protagonist's academic background closely resembled Shields's own.[3]
The novel won the Canadian Authors Association's annual award for fiction in 1977,[4] and was shortlisted for the Books in Canada First Novel Award.[5]
References
- ^ Arnold Edinborough, "What a novel should do — and four are put to the test". Financial Post, May 1, 1976.
- ^ John Bryans, "Laughter amid the barbs". Vancouver Sun, May 7, 1976.
- ^ Marilyn Brown, "Canadian most appealing among female novelists". Edmonton Journal, May 29, 1976.
- ^ Burt Heward, "Carol Shields wins medal: Award to Ottawa novelist". Ottawa Citizen, May 25, 1977.
- ^ "Two writers to share award for first novels in Canada". Ottawa Citizen, March 29, 1977.