Review: “Unless we realise, Unless we change, Unless we speak.....” Carol Shields: Unless. London: Fourth Estate, 2002.

Abstract

In lieu of an abstract, here is the first paragraph of the review:

Carol Shields' novel Unless is an investigation into the notion of goodness. It both illustrates the ways in which goodness is taken for granted as a feminine attribute and criticises this as being restrictive with the potential to oppress women and inhibit their development. Unless is also about language, voice and especially silence. Its critical perspective is very much a feminist one, but this does have to be sought after. It is not clear whether Shields intends to make her readers angry, which she does, or whether this is a byproduct of the frustration of recognition of the fact that her characters do indeed reflect many contemporary, middle-class, educated women's lives and readers may be forced into a self-reflection which can be uncomfortable.