Women's Classic Literature Enthusiasts discussion

Spoiler thread

We’ll use this thread for our discussions of the book from Chapter 8 through the end of the novel. No need to use spoiler tags to obscure your comments and questions in this thread at any time.

If you've finished it, or read it previously, what were your impressions? Were your views on Hagar consistent throughout the novel, or did you have more or less empathy for her as you read?

I just finished this and I thought hagars character was so well drawn. I had empathy for her but I didn't think she's that likeable all the time.
I worked with the elderly for years and I've met many incarnation of this character.
The pain, the sniping, the refusing of help and then complaining about how no one does anything for them.
I thought it was beautifully written and she came across as a whole human being to me.
I did feel sorry for Marv and Doris at points though.

I agree that the writing was excellent--really kept me drawn into the story. I loved Hagar's voice.

I felt empathy for her too, Shirley, and also felt sorry for those around her. Particularly John. (view spoiler)[What a tragic character he was, from the time he was so young. (hide spoiler)]

Also, the interaction between Hagar and her childhood friend Lottie was really interesting. All of this was so realistic to me, particularly the way she dealt with memory loss. Those sections were so, so believable. Very well done.

Some books are remembered for their memorable first lines, such as Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. I read Lawrence's The Stone Angel many years ago, and its closing line stuck in my memory and has remained there ever since. Do any of you all have a like experience?

I finally let myself finish Stone Angel. I am now a Laurence fan girl. I don’t have a clue how she made this story so compelling, given its subject matter. It was a page-turner for me. I still feel quite sad for John and more than a little frustrated with Hagar’s lack of any regard or respect for every single human she encounters. But kudos to Ms Laurence for creating a character and novel I will not forget.

Carol wrote: "I finally let myself finish Stone Angel. I am now a Laurence fan girl. I don’t have a clue how she made this story so compelling, given its subject matter. It was a page-turner for me. I still feel..."

Yes! It's sort of miraculous what she did. Who knows how but I loved it too.

I think I'm actually in a reading slump since finishing it. Nothing is as compelling as that story--everything disappoints. :-(

Mizzou wrote: "Some books are remembered for their memorable first lines, such as Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. I read Lawrence's The Stone Angel many years ago, and its closing line stuck in my memory and has r..."

Mizzou, funny you should bring this up. I heard the last lines of The Great Gatsby read the other day, and realized I had it memorized, but had forgotten.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
I think that might be my favorite.

Kathleen wrote: "Carol wrote: "I finally let myself finish Stone Angel. I am now a Laurence fan girl. I don’t have a clue how she made this story so compelling, given its subject matter. It was a page-turner for me..."

That totally makes sense! I have The Diviners across the room and may have to find a way to get to it sooner rather than later, although my June reading commitments are feeling somewhat strait-jacket-like.