The Republic of Love

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Book, but no "Stone Diaries"
Review: THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE is a pleasant diversion by the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Stone Diaries." While this book is an enjoyable read, those who are expecting the quality of the latter may be disappointed. While the book contains Carol Shields' graceful and eloquent prose typical of all of her books, the plot is somewhat thin and superficial. The characters are well developed in the first part of the book and the pace is leisurely until the last few chapters. At that point, the plot is wrapped up so quickly it was as if the author decided that she had something better to do and needed to get this book out of the way.

By usual standards, the book is certainly nicely done, however it pales in comparison to Ms. Shields' later works.

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Book, but no "Stone Diaries"
Review: THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE is a pleasant diversion by the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Stone Diaries." While this book is an enjoyable read, those who are expecting the quality of the latter may be disappointed. While the book contains Carol Shields' graceful and eloquent prose typical of all of her books, the plot is somewhat thin and superficial. The characters are well developed in the first part of the book and the pace is leisurely until the last few chapters. At that point, the plot is wrapped up so quickly it was as if the author decided that she had something better to do and needed to get this book out of the way.

By usual standards, the book is certainly nicely done, however it pales in comparison to Ms. Shields' later works.

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Book, but no "Stone Diaries"
Review: THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE is a pleasant diversion by the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Stone Diaries." While this book is an enjoyable read, those who are expecting the quality of the latter may be disappointed. While the book contains Carol Shields' graceful and eloquent prose typical of all of her books, the plot is somewhat thin and superficial. The characters are well developed in the first part of the book and the pace is leisurely until the last few chapters. At that point, the plot is wrapped up so quickly it was as if the author decided that she had something better to do and needed to get this book out of the way.

By usual standards, the book is certainly nicely done, however it pales in comparison to Ms. Shields' later works.