This is an auction for UNLESS by Carol Shields.

"UNLESS is a dazzling novel from Carol Shields, author of THE STONE DIARIES, winner of the Pulitzer prize, and LARRY'S PARTY, winner of the Orange prize. Reta Winters has a loving family, good friends, and growing success as a writer of light fiction. Then her eldest daughter suddenly withdraws from the world, abandoning university to sit on a street corner, wearing a sign that reads only 'goodness'. As Reta seeks the causes of her daughter's retreat, her enquiry turns into an unflinching, often very funny meditation on society and where we find meaning and hope. Unless is a daring novel from the undisputed master of extraordinary fictions about so-called 'ordinary' lives."

"Breathtaking . . . a masterpiece."

• Daily Mail

"Few writers could make a book about what it means to be alone this charming."

• Observer

"An angry and discomfiting book, beautifully controlled."

• Guardian Books of the Year 2002

"Breathtaking precision, elegance and compassion . . . a masterful exploration of "the big female secret of wanting and not getting."

• Independent

"There is not a word out of place in this refined, beautifully paced novel."

• Daily Telegraph

"The writing is superb."

• Sunday Express

Very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.

Large format (trade) paperback 2002.

213 pages.

Very good condition.

The cost of shipping is $4.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.