Margaret Laurence Knihy

Hrdinka Morag Gunnová pochází ze stísněných poměrů kanadského prérijního městečka, ale díky svým schopnostem, cílevědomosti a ctižádosti odtud dokáže vyváznout. Než dokončí studium na univerzitě, provdá se za svého profesora, už během nepodařeného bezdětného manželství píše svůj první román. Morag se pak naplno věnuje literatuře, když od manžela odejde, a zároveň vychovává svou dceru, jejímž otcem je Moragin přítel z dětství, potomek kanadských francouzsko-indiánských míšenců. Morag se snaží naplnit svůj život uměleckou prací a přitom hledá své prameny: na čas se vydá i do Skotska, odkud její rodina pochází. Podobně hledá později své prameny i její dcera mezi svými mestickými příbuznými. Morag ve zralém věku žije na samotě ve venkovské chalupě u řeky, v souladu s přírodou a s lidmi, kteří k tomuto prostředí patří.

The book presents a lyrical exploration of growing up through eight interconnected stories centered around Vanessa MacLeod. Set against a backdrop of natural beauty, it delves into themes of family dynamics, love, and the complexities of transitioning into womanhood. Each finely crafted narrative contributes to a cohesive and emotionally resonant portrayal of a girl's journey, highlighting both the joys and struggles of her experiences. This work stands out for its poignant and compassionate storytelling.

Set against the backdrop of post-colonial Ghana, the ten stories explore the lives of both European and African characters grappling with the challenges of newfound freedom. Laurence vividly contrasts modernity with traditional tribal customs, creating a rich tapestry of cultural conflict. Her compassionate storytelling reveals the struggles and resilience of individuals navigating a rapidly changing world, showcasing her talent for capturing the complexities of human experience in a vibrant and often unsettling environment.

A vivid portrait of a woman convinced that life has more to offer her than the tedious routine of her days.

Best known for her novels about the Canadian prairie, Margaret Laurence began her career writing about West Africa. Based on her experience living with her husband on the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in the years just before independence, This Side Jordan confronts issues of race relations, sexism, and colonial exploitation. This lyrical, vivid novel addresses all of the tensions of the time: the excitement, anticipation, and dread felt by both the Africans and the English as they confronted a new order. The book’s hero, a school teacher torn between duty to his tribe and aspirations for his country’s future in the modern world, names his son “Joshua” as a sign of hope that he will claim and enjoy his homeland. This Side Jordan anticipates many of the political and racial issues that were to plague Ghana over the next fifty years. Evocative and poignant, it is a subtle study of the effects of colonialism, culture clash, and the resilience of hope in new political identity. “Highly recommended as a good and timely read.”—Library Journal

"Ross' style is always beautifully matched to his material - spare, lean, honest, no gimmicks, and yet in its very simplicity setting up continuing echoes in the mind." - Margaret Laurence --Book Jacket.

A duty-ridden woman dreams of breaking free from her small-town chains.

Hagar Shipley, a proud and irascible nonagenarian, retreats in the face of her approaching death and the bitter squabbling of her son and his wife to reflect on her past - her childhood marriage to tough-talking Bram Shipley, her two sons, the harshness of farm life on the prairie, her own failures and the failures and betrayals of others. A bloody minded and independent woman to the end, she embarks on a final wild escapade.

" ... a compelling journey seen through the eyes of a woman nearing the end of her life. At ninety, Hagar Shipley speaks movingly of the perils of growing old and reflects with bitterness, humor, and a painful awareness of her own frailties on the life she has led. From her childhood as the daughter of a respected merchant, to her rebellious marriage, Hagar has fought a long and sometimes misguided battle for independence and respect. In the course of examining and trying to understand the shape her life has taken, her divided feelings about her husband, her passionate attachment to one son and her neglect of another, she is sometimes regretful, but rarely penitent. Asking forgiveness from neither God nor those around her, she must still wrestle with her own nature: 'Pride was my wilderness, and the demon that led me there was fear.' She has been afraid of being unrespectable, afraid of needing too much, afraid of giving too much, and her pride is both disturbing and inspiring."--500 Great Books by Women; review by Sonja Larsen.