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Margaret Laurence: The Making of a Writer

Dakota Powell

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Margaret Laurence was one of the most important Canadian writers of the 20th century. Her novels and short stories explored the lives of women in rural and urban Canada, and her work was often praised for its realism and its insights into the human condition.

Laurence was born in Neepawa, Manitoba, in 1926. Her father was a Presbyterian minister, and her mother was a schoolteacher. Laurence grew up in a small town, and her experiences there would later form the basis for many of her stories.

Margaret Laurence: The Making of a Writer

by Donez Xiques

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	408 pages

Laurence began writing at a young age, and she published her first novel, This Side Jordan, in 1950. The novel was a critical and commercial success, and it established Laurence as a rising star in Canadian literature.

In the years that followed, Laurence published a number of other novels and short stories, including The Stone Angel (1964),A Bird in the House (1970),and The Diviners (1974). Her work was often praised for its realism, its insights into the human condition, and its strong female characters.

Laurence died in 1987, at the age of 60. She left behind a legacy of work that continues to be read and enjoyed by people around the world.

The Importance of Margaret Laurence

Margaret Laurence was one of the most important Canadian writers of the 20th century. Her work explored the lives of women in rural and urban Canada, and her insights into the human condition were both profound and moving.

Laurence's work is important for a number of reasons. First, it provides a valuable window into the lives of women in Canada during a time of great social and economic change. Her novels and short stories depict the challenges and triumphs of women who were struggling to find their place in a rapidly changing world.

Second, Laurence's work is important for its insights into the human condition. Her characters are complex and flawed, and they often struggle with difficult choices. However, Laurence never shies away from the dark side of human nature, and her work is ultimately hopeful and uplifting.

Finally, Laurence's work is important for its literary merit. Her writing is clear, concise, and evocative, and her stories are both moving and thought-provoking. Laurence was a master of the short story form, and her work has been praised by critics and readers alike.

The Legacy of Margaret Laurence

Margaret Laurence's legacy is immense. Her work has been translated into more than 30 languages, and she has won numerous awards, including the Governor General's Award for Fiction and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

Laurence's work continues to be read and enjoyed by people around the world, and her insights into the human condition remain as relevant today as they were when she was writing. She is a true Canadian icon, and her work is an enduring contribution to our literary heritage.

Margaret Laurence: A Bibliography

* This Side Jordan (1950) * The Tomorrow-Tamer (1963) * The Stone Angel (1964) * A Bird in the House (1970) * The Diviners (1974) * The Fire-Dwellers (1977) * The Canopy Bed (1979) * The Temptation of Big Bear (1980) * A Jest of God (1986)