The Stone Angel

Margaret Laurence

Hagar Shipley is 90 years old. She's a little senile but still as strong-willed as ever. Her son and daughter-in-law can no longer take care of her and decide to put her in a nursing home. She, of course, will have none of that -- she runs away! As she journeys through the final days of her life, Hagar takes us on a journey of years past as she recollects and takes stock of the life she's led. She's a great character, manipulative and proud, sweet one moment, a holy terror the next. Laurence brings her to life with great skill, allowing the reader to see past her obvious character flaws and come to understand her more than she ultimately understands herself. This is the first book of Laurence's I've read. I'll definitely read more.