The author won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for "The Stone Diaries".

Winner of Orange Prize for Fiction 1998.

'A brilliant fictional reflection on what it may be like to be a man in the late twentieth century.' Penelope Lively, Independent 'Altogether a cause for celebration.' Anita Brookner, Spectator 'There is a moving sensation that somehow leaves one grappling for the single word to describe it. Poignant? Touching? Oh you know, the real thing.' Harpers and Queen 'No more richly satisfying novel, to my knowledge, has been published this year ... Shields demonstrates once again her extreme mastery of emotional geometry.' Sunday Telegraph 'This is, like all of Shields's work, filled with warmth and understanding.' The Times 'Exhilarating' Sunday Times

Carol Shields is American born, spent three years in Manchester in the 60s, but now lives in Canada. Married with five children. Her first novel was published in 1990.