Divining Margaret Laurence : a study of her complete writings

Stovel, Nora Foster 1942- (Author).

Summary: "Whereas previous studies focus on certain aspects of her work, 'Divining Margaret Laurence' addresses all her important writings, including a final, unfinished manuscript - "Dance on the Earth: A Memoir." This comprehensive study of her writings, including archival material, allows Nora Stovel to trace the development of Laurence's Canadian identity, feminist sympathies, moral vision, and creative artistry." --back cover

Record details

ISBN: 9780773533769 (acid-free paper)
ISBN: 9780773534377 (pbk.)
ISBN: 0773533761 (acid-free paper)
ISBN: 0773534377 (pbk.)
Physical Description: print
xxi, 406 p. ; 24 cm.
Publisher: Montréal [Québec] ; Ithaca [N.Y.] : McGill-Queen's University Press, c2008.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [369]-388) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Chronology of Margaret Laurence's Life and Works -- Books by Margaret Laurence -- Pt. 1. Beginnings: "A Place to Stand On" -- 1. Introduction: "The Promised Land of One's Own Inner Freedom" -- 2. "Embryo Words": Laurence's Early Writings -- 3. Heart of a Stranger: Laurence's Life-Journey -- Pt. 2. The African Texts: "A Seven Years' Love Affair with a Continent" -- 4. "A Labour of Love": A Tree for Poverty: Somali Poetry and Prose -- 5. "The Sleeping Giant": Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists, 1952-1966 -- 6. "The Face of Africa": The Prophet's Camel Bell, This Side Jordan, and The Tomorrow-Tamer -- Pt. 3. The Canadian Texts: "A Small-Town Prairie Person" -- 7. "A Town of the Mind": Laurence's Mythical Microcosm of Manawaka -- 8. "A Holy Terror": Hagar, Hero(ine) of The Stone Angel -- 9. "Sisters under Their Skins": A Jest of God and The Fire-Dwellers -- 10. "Death and Love": Romance and Reality in A Bird in the House -- 11. "(W)Rites of Passage": A Portrait of the Writer in The Diviners -- 12. "Dance on the Earth": Laurence's Unfinished Novel -- Pt. 4. Endings: "Full Circle" -- 13. Snow Angels and Monarch Butterflies: Laurence's Children's Fiction -- 14. Lady of the Dance: Choreographing a Life in Dance on the Earth: A Memoir -- 15. "The Mystery at the Core of Life": Closure in the Texts, Career, and Life of Margaret Laurence.