Amazon.com
In her third collection of short fiction, Dressing Up for the Carnival, Carol Shields employs two tales about clothing as structural bookends. The title story, which functions as her opening salvo, begins with a highly suggestive sentence: "All over town people are putting on their costumes." In some cases, of course, this is a literal description. Tamara, for example, dons a yellow cotton skirt without checking the weather, for "her clothes are the weather, as powerful in their sunniness as the strong, muzzy early morning light." But clearly Shields is also making a statement about identity--about the mix-and-match process of deciding who we are. Thus we get the more discreet high jinks of
X, an anonymous middle-aged citizen who, sometimes, in the privacy of his own bedroom, in the embrace of happiness, waltzes about in his wife's lace-trimmed nightgown.... He lifts the blind an inch and sees the sun setting boldly behind his pear tree, its mingled coarseness and refinement giving an air of confusion.
The final story, "Dressing Down," details the friction between a hardcore nudist and his reluctant wife, and suggests very nearly the opposite moral: we are defined by the garments we remove. Elsewhere, Shields explores the questions of identity and intimacy with less of a sartorial accent. "Invention" features another fractured marriage, this one done in by the wife's invention of a steering-wheel muff ("Money began to trickle in, then became rivers of money, especially when she introduced her famous faux-leopard muff, which became the signature for all that was chic, young, adventurous, and daring"). In "Eros," surely among the most elegant stories in this elegant collection, sex is both transcendent and suffocating, an entrance into the self and every human being's cross to bear. Dressing Up for the Carnival is a witty performance in which Shields occasionally thumbs her nose at the very notion of the traditional short story (much as she tinkered with novelistic protocol in The Stone Diaries). But make no mistake: she's a serious artist, with her eye fixed firmly on the naked (or at least half-undressed) truth. --Bob Brandeis
Book Description
In Dressing Up for the Carnival, Carol Shields distills her characteristic wisdom, elegance, and insouciant humor in twenty-two luminous stories. A wealth of surprises and contrasts, this collection ranges from the lyricism of "Weather," in which a couple's life is thrown into chaos when the National Association of Meteorologists goes on strike, to the swampy sexuality of "Eros," in which a room in a Parisian hotel on the verge of ruin is the catalyst for passion, to the brave confidence of "A Scarf"-new for this collection-which chronicles the realities of a fledging author's book tour. Playful, graceful, acutely observed, and generous of spirit, these stories will delight her devoted fans and win her new converts as well.
Customer Reviews:
A True Example of Writing as Art.......2002-08-06
Carol Shields can take an ordinary word and polish it into a shining gemstone. Finely-tuned phrases are scattered plentifully throughout each chapter of _Dressing Up for the Carnival_, straddling the gap between poetry and fiction. This collection of stories is so spare, it almost feels empty at first. But you find Shields has emptied her work of distractions and needless explanations so you can more clearly see . Her focus on minute details is selective and purposeful. She reveals deep insights on the human condition through small observations-ones only a keen observer could see, and only a master writer like Shields could translate into words. If you want to be entertained, this book may not be for you. If you want to think deeply and be stirred to a higher level of emotion, pick up this book. You'll find yourself setting it down after every story so you can absorb each word.
A paragon of mediocrity.......2001-09-22
I recently finished reading Carol Shields' short story collection, Dressing Up for the Carnival. I'm a big fan of Carol Shields, having enjoyed Larry's Party, The Stone Diaries, even adding Swann to my wicked Top Five list - but this one didn't hit the spot.
Although the stories were charming and well-written, they weren't engrossing. I need to be EN-GROSSED! Instead I felt like I was wading through the bad stuff (I use the term "bad" for effect only) to get to the good. Some real gems here, but not a stellar collection.
Somewhat recommended - that is, to fans, and not just the casual passerby.
stories that stretch how we see the world.......2001-08-18
It's hard to describe the effect of these stories -- perhaps mindbending would be as close as you can get. Who else would devote whole stories to keys, or a meteorologist strike or the founder of a nudist camp? My only small complaint is that at times some of the stories, especially those taking place in the academic realm, are almost too clever for their own good. The collection as a whole though is strong and quite imaginative and profound. Shields is certainly an interesting writer -- there is nary a dull moment and some quite enlightening ones.
Hooked by Carol Shields.......2001-05-01
Carol Shields hooked me in with Stone Diaries and I have subsequently enjoyed Happenstance, Larry's Party and a Celibate Season. I have just completed Dressing Up for the Carnival and am yet again amazed by Carol's ability to take the simplest things and see into them and beyond their common use. The story Mirrors is a typical example - we take them so much for granted and yet we do not look at them but "into them". Her language is rich, descriptive, insightful and makes me want to hear her voice. I love the glimpses she gives into married lives and the various swings and roundabouts of relationships, the distances between people and the tiny, meaningful, tender moments - Windows is a typical example. I am delighted to discover that I have many more of her books to enjoy and am now about to continue my research on Carol with the help of this site.
I Enjoy Her Complete Novels Much More.......2000-08-03
Carol Shields is an amazingly talented author and her books amaze me. I am a huge fan of "The Stone Diaries" and I personally think it's one of the best novels of our time, but I must confess that I don't enjoy her work in short stories. I think that her talent is better suited for novels and I certainly think she deserves a world of praise for her books. But, again I didn't really like this one as much. I found it fragmented and hard to follow. It was lackluster and I was really hoping for more. Sadly, I can't rave about this book as much I would have liked.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Yearbook of English Studies, published by Modern Humanities Research Association on January 1, 2001. The length of the article is 5694 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: In the Subjunctive Mood: Carol Shields's Dressing Up for the Carnival.(author)
Author: Coral Ann Howells
Publication:
Yearbook of English Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2001
Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association
Page: 144
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
DRESSING UP FOR THE CARNIVAL.
Carol Shields
Manufacturer: Fourth Estate
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Short Stories
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1841151645 |
Average customer rating:
- Simply perfection.
- A writer whose time has finally arrived.
- Wonderful book for women of all ages!
|
Fantastical Tales for the Heroine's Quest
Annie Razz
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1424104246 |
Book Description
Live your life as a magical, fantastical tale. Travel through each day in wonder and faith. Every life is the story of a soul coming of age. Every day can be a step in the path to the most excellent life you can imagine. Fantastical Tales for the Heroine's Quest will light your journey in a powerful, playful way. These tales are written for the modern girl, no matter her age, who is seeking her own best self. You will meet many colorful characters such as Yeska, Noka and Maybeka. You will meet a surfer, a mermaid, fairies, a dragon, gypsies and witches. You may even meet another version of yourself! Fantastical Tales for the Heroine's Quest are the fables for the world of today. They are for anyone who hears a song in her heart, believing good will prevail. They are written for you.
Customer Reviews:
Simply perfection........2006-05-13
I have not encountered a book such as this -- simply divine. This book is truly a beautiful and fun read for all ages. I keep it on my desk to read a quick poem or story whenever I can.
A writer whose time has finally arrived........2006-03-11
This author's poetry has been known to me for years, so what a delight to discover this wonderful collection of short stories interspersed with Annie's poems. As much as I enjoyed the prose, I would have been equally as pleased if the book only included her poetry. I highly recommend this uplifting work of fantasy and affirmantion for young women...of all ages!!!
Wonderful book for women of all ages!.......2006-03-02
Fantastical Tales for the Heroine's Quest takes its reader on a magical journey with three amazing women. The heroines of this book encounter mystical creatures, experience betrayal, heartbreak and physical challenges on their journey to what ultimately is the realization of their own power. The message of female strength and sisterhood is inspirational for women of any age. The poetry and lyrical prose in this book make it a captivating read. I could not put it down!
Product Description
How did we evolve? Did we have help? In a world torn apart by cataclysmic climate changes, survivors learn answers to these immortal questions as they join together based on their love of various dog breeds. Two voices, the weimaraner Haint and his mistress Amanda, tell the story of how each in their own way come to the realization of what they mean to each other. Along the way, Haint explains how his species came to help humans along in their evolutionary development. Haint also reveals that the world is becoming inhabitable for humans and dogs so he and his kind must make the decision whether to save themselves and what they have learned over the thousands of years on Earth or stay and take their chances with the doomed humans. Amanda, accompanied by her friends Kern and Liddy and their canine familiars Haint and Cloudy, travel across a landscape with violent weather and competing tribes as they look for a way to save their "breed" from drought. During the trip they take on an enigmatic young girl who is much more than she appears. Haint is the story of lives entangled over thousands of years and hundreds of lifetimes as dogs and humans discover the depths of their love for each other.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful.......2006-04-12
I have to admit, I'm not a dog lover. I feel more attached to cats, so I don't know where I would fit in Ward's world where dogs have become the ultimate companions (as some would say they already are).
However, I still found this a wonderful and deeply moving book. As the mysterious "they" always say, a dog is a man's best friend and this book takes that cliche and turns it into something much deeper.
I recommend this book to anyone.
It really explains a lot..........2005-10-27
As a person who has two Weimaraners I am a bit biased, but I thought that this book answered a lot of questions about these "grey ghosts" and their haunting expressions. The story was engaging and believable (and very scary). Told from two viewpoints, one a human and one a Weimaraner named Haint, the story came together beautifully. I only wish that there had been time to get to know the characters more fully, it left me wanting more.
Literary Risk Paid Off.......2005-08-13
Even for dog lovers, the idea of a book written from the POV of a dog is a risky concept. In the hands of a less accomplished writer it could have been flat out sappy. But Haint is flat out wonderful. The story takes place in the future when global warming and warfare have taken their toll on the human race and the relatively small number of human beings who have survived have reorganized themselves around the breeds of their companions, their dogs. OK so far so good, pretty interesting stuff and believable, given current realities. But the most fascinating portions of the book (to me anyway) were the portions told in the voice of a very wise old soul, Haint, a weimeraner. How the dogs directed their own evolution to appeal to the human beings they chose to be their companions and watched the human beings themselves evolve is fascinating and also believable. The author is clearly scientifically knowlegeable as all good writers of science fiction should be. The reader does not so much suspend disbelief as get drawn into some truly fascinating speculation about possibilities that have not actually been ruled out. I am recommending this book to everyone I know who is interested in animals, in the environment, in spirituality and in science (as well as science fiction). One expects a book about dogs and humans to appeal on an emotional level but Haint appeals as well on intellectual and philosophical levels. On a scale of one to five I would like to give this one a six.
Unique and different.......2005-08-11
Unique and different concept, portraying men & women as attempting to achieve the heights reached by our faithful companions.
I found the writing & story interesting at times, but I found the same few ideas & thoughts repeated so often it was distracting.
The bitter sweet ending was to be expected. Love between man & dog are the highest of priorities.
I would guess the author worships the Weimaraner breed.
Admit it, you've seen it, too ..........2005-06-22
Any one who has ever loved a dog has seen it. You know, that look. That look that makes you wonder for a moment who is in charge here. and who really is the one who knows the truth. You know, the deeper truth of life. Admit it, we have all felt it.
Sometimes we feel guilty because we are so inadequate to measure up to their love. But there is more. Something else just beyond our grasp, that bothers us a little bit, because we feel they might know something they are not letting on.
Joy Ward's Haint exposes these head-cocked wonderings. Our hunches were correct.
We also know instinctively that dogs make us more human. We don't know how true that is. Haint tells the story of a transforming love that gave form to hope for humanity.
In the words of Haint, a Weimaraner,
"Our essence changed their matter. Every time a human petted us or sat with us or let us sleep on their bed, we were changing them. We exchanged our cells for theirs. It was slow, achingly slow sometimes as we watched them wage wars against each other, but we persisted. But over the centuries, humans evolved and became more like us.
They learned to love more deeply and they learned how to trust one another. They learned that to achieve anything of size or depth takes sharing and working together. We gave them that. We brought our older, more evolved natures into contact with their newer ones, and they learned and grew." - Haint p. 92"
Two voices alternate to tell this tale. One, a human with extrasensory gifts, and the other, an ancient extraterrestrial spirit now choosing the form of a dog. Together these two voices show the intertwined fates of two species at the edge of disaster. The earth is dying because of the foolish hubris of man, despite all the efforts of his best friend. Weather has become wild and inhospitable to the species that has abused his environment. The end of the world is imminent. Hot winds tear the air, spawning tornados that destroy buildings as the melting poles raise the sea level. The wells of fresh water are drying up, and skin cancer and other diseases are epidemic.
As the human civilization crumbles, man and dog revert to their earlier symbiosis. New tribal groups emerge called Breeds because they are centered on distinct breeds of dog that each specialize in a distinct skill with their partner humans. Territories ruled by Weimaraners, Airedales, Danes and such hold civilization from the brink of anarchy.
This is not like "Animal Farm," it feels believable, maybe even likely. Suspension of disbelief is not as difficult as one might imagine, in fact, the reader feels drawn in naturally to this world. It explains a lot.
In this crisis time the best and worst of both species appears and becomes prominent, as it does in any time of crisis. It is a question of survival. It is a question of survival for both species bound together inextricably. Maybe the ancient Latin warning, "cave canem" was merely misunderstood. We should listen to their warnings when they ...speak.
Average customer rating:
- A rich tour of modern Shamans in art, music,writing,film
|
Dreaming With Open Eyes: The Shamanic Spirit in Twentieth Century Art and Culture (Mandala Shaman Psychology Series)
Michael Tucker
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Shamanism
| Earth-Based Religions
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Comparative Religion
| Religious Studies
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Psychology
| Religious Studies
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1855381842 |
Customer Reviews:
A rich tour of modern Shamans in art, music,writing,film.......2006-09-12
This book is an interesting alternative art history. It tries to answer the question-Who are the heirs of the artists who painted the caves in Altamira? What is the purpose of their art today? The author explores some of the artists among us who provide a bridge from their internal vision to us via the medium of their art.The book is vast, enriching, uses Jungian thought a lot, and covers a lot of ground-from Picasso to Jimi Hendrix. A fascinating study. Well illustrated and well documented with lots of footnotes for further excursions. A rich and thought provoking book.
Customer Reviews:
Eat well, be well.......2001-11-10
Barbara Kafka's microwave cookbooks have changed the way I think about food and cooking. And, since I was recently put on a restricted diet, the nutritional information in "Healthstyle" puts me back in control.
And, dang! The food tastes great! She shows you how it's possible to both eat well and be well.
Thanks, Barbara!
Product Description
index 605-623. illustrated in black and white.
Average customer rating:
|
MICROWAVE GOURMET HEALTHSTYLE COOKBOOK.
Manufacturer: BArrie & Jenkins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Special Appliances
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Healthy
| Special Diet
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Natural Foods
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0712639284 |
Average customer rating:
|
Jewelry in America: 1600-1900
Martha Gandy Fales
Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Jewelry
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Precious Metals
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Jewelry
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Jewelry: From Antiquity to the Present (World of Art)
ASIN: 1851492232 |
Customer Reviews:
Jewelry in America.......2000-11-02
The perfect gift for anyone who loves jewelry! Fabulous photos and detailed descriptions of classic jewelry styles through the centuries are in this exquisite Winterthur Museum publication.
Average customer rating:
|
Reinventing the Workplace, Second Edition
John Worthington
Manufacturer: Architectural Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Drawing & Modelling
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Workplace
| Organizational Behavior
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0750661755 |
Book Description
Incorporating a diversity of practices, cultural and organization change, and new building forms, this book provides ideas, inspiration and analysis of the multitude of ways in which an office space can be designed and utilized. Updated to cope with technological advances, as well as including a new series of case studies on recent Australian, North American and Scandinavian experiences, the contributors draw on a wealth and variety of professional experience to present the best and most innovative solutions for today's office - and tomorrow's workplace.
1. Provides analytical design solutions to meet real challenges and increase office productivity
2. Fully updated and with seven brand new chapters to cover the latest ideas and developments affecting the workplace
3. International case studies provide inspiration and show how to apply theories
Book Description
Without a doubt, creative people get new ideas by seeing what other creative people are doing. The best sourcebooks aid this process by providing designers with vital mental stimulation.In The Little Book of Creativity, David E. Carter has taken a bold new approach. Instead of organizing categories by project type or medium (advertising, brochures, etc.), he has categorized over two hundred examples of creative work into concept categories such as photo manipulation, layout, typographic, texture, surprise, size and other creative areas. The result is a treasure trove of source material for what Carter calls “solitary brainstorming.”
Customer Reviews:
Mr. Carter's Books.......2007-09-04
I have the logo recipe, big book of logos and this book. I am very grateful for Mr. Carter creating how to books and giving ideas. I have now changed my major and am starting a new career thanks to my purchase of these books. I enjoyed them all.
Great ideas, terrible commentary.......2007-01-04
The book has tons of great ideas and examples, but the commentary associated with each piece is lacking and even 'campy.' It's a great book for ideas, but if you want to know WHY the examples were chosen and WHAT makes them good or even great, look elsewhere. I wouldn't recommend this book for the beginner looking to understand the "whys, hows and when" of graphic design, but for ideas, it's pretty good.
Average customer rating:
|
Cagliostro the Last of the Sorcerers
Frank King
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
New Age
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Occultism
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 076613797X |
Book Description
A portrait of the man considered to be the last of the true sorcerers. The author presents this volume in an effort to regard Cagliostro as a human being and to try to come to some understanding of his nature. No other author had ever before painted a picture of Cagliostro that was not either all black or all white. This volume is an effort to draw a consistent picture of this interesting man. Illustrated.
Average customer rating:
|
Cagliostro: The last of the sorcerers; a portrait
Frank King
Manufacturer: Jarrolds, limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
| Adolescent Psychology
| Applied Psychology
| By Topic
| Child Psychology
| Clinical Psychology
| Cognitive
| Counseling
| Creativity & Genius
| Developmental Psychology
| Education & Training
| Ethnopsychology
| Experimental Psychology
| Forensic Psychology
| General
| History
| Hypnosis
| Industrial Psychology
| Logotherapy
| Medicine & Psychology
| Mental Illness
| Movements
| Neuropsychology
| Occupational & Organizational
| Pathologies
| Personality
| Philosophy of Psychology
| Physical Illness & Psychiatry
| Physiological Aspects
| Psychiatry
| Psychoanalysis
| Psychobiology
| Psychopharmacology
| Psychosomatic Medicine
| Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
| Reference
| Research
| Sexuality
| Social Psychology & Interactions
| Statistics
| Suicide
| Testing & Measurement
ASIN: B0008624GE |
Books:
- Esquire's Big Book of Fiction
- Faith Fox: A Novel
- Feeling for Books: The Book-Of-The-Month Club, Literary Taste, and Middle-Class Desire
- Fighting Gravity: A Novel
- Five Star Expressions - The Geisha's Granddaughter (Five Star Expressions)
- Fourfront Contemporary Stories Translated from the Irish: Contemporary Stories Translated from the Irish
- Guy Livingstone (Large Print Edition): or \'Thorough\'
- High Bonnet: A Novel of Epicurean Adventures (Modern Library Food)
- Hornet Flight
- How Heavy is the Mountain
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death
- History: Fiction or Science
- Colloidal Systems and Interfaces
- Glitter That Was Once Gold: Long Island Gold Coast Trivia
- Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life
- History: Fiction or Science
- Good Families Don't Just Happen: What We Learned from Raising Our 10 Sons and How It Can Work for Yo
- Women, Art and Power and Other Essays
- Creativity: Theory, History, Practice
- Sierra Wildlife Coloring Book
Small Ceremonies
Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition
The Box Garden
Follies: New Stories
The Orange Fish
