Dear Life by Alice Munro– Short Stories Collection
Before I dive into the book review of Dear Life written by the celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro, let me share a quote from this book to give you a feel of the writing.
"The dream was in fact a lot like the Vancouver weather—a dismal sort of longing, a rainy dreamy sadness, a weight that shifted round the heart."
All the fourteen stories in Dear Life are set in the backdrop of Canada (Munro’s home turf), and give such an appealing account of Canadian weather and lifestyle that you will feel as if you have been there. This is also something I loved about the book, learning about a country, its dialect, its streets, the food, etc. Of course, Alice Munro belonging to the Silent generation ( born between 1928 to 1945) one sees a much more older version of Canada from what it is today.
Genre
It is tough to slot the stories into any particular genre , let’s just say that Dear Life takes you through an entire gamut of emotions, from love, loss, ennui to passion, in short the whole kit and caboodle. These stories explore the lives of ordinary Canadian people going through life just like you and me, children, men and women out and about moving on, occasionally reminiscing sometimes facing extraordinary situations.If i think deeply, there is a common thread running through them – that of departures and beginnings, Chance encounters, and journeys.
Dear Life – The Title Story
The title story, “Dear Life,” is a powerful but understated look at a mother-daughter relationship,with all the complicated sentiments that come with it.This story has autobiographical shades as the author herself tells us in the introduction.Munro walks us through her life growing up in Canada with strict parenting which was the norm those days, the aspirations of her middle class parents, her Mother’s early onset Alzheimer’s disease all in an earnest manner.
Writing Style
Munro’s writing is like magic. She uses simple words that penetrate deep and make you feel everything her characters are feeling. She uses uncomplicated and simple language and short sentences that say a lot in just a few words.One would wonder if writing about complex situations can actually feel that effortless.
No Moral Preachings
Alice Munro does not preach about morality , she lets the reader go with the flow , just like her characters , feeling one with the narrative and a part of the landscape.Whether it is a mother giving in to momentary passion with a stranger when on a train ride with her daughter or the story of a young woman with slight disability having an affair with a married man, Munro does not pass judgements, she does not dwell on the moral grey areas.Life moves on , these are just real people, with real desires and real fears.There are no perfect people, no perfect relationships, no perfect stories and no perfect endings either and yet life goes on is the message in almost every story.
As Munro says herself “… “because this is not a story, only life.” in the title story Dear Life.
Basically, Read Dear Life If…
- You want a good cry (or laugh, or both)
- You just want to read a book that is just like life – realistic and engaging with its honest narration
- You appreciate the art of writing
- You are curious why Alice Munro is called the “Master of the Short Story”
Let me summarise by saying that Dear Life isn’t just a collection of stories, it’s a celebration of life’s messy beauty.It seems drab in places and slow paced too but overall it is a good read. So grab a cup of coffee, curl up with this book, and get ready for an emotional journey.This is the perfect book to pick up on a rainy cold day, when it’s too dreary to go out and you just want to spend time reading something about life and people , it is neither heavy on sentiments nor superficial.Something that just connects with you.
Book Specifications
Book Title – Dear Life
Author – Alice Munro
Genre – Short stories, Emotional Stories , Literary Fiction,, Contemporary Fiction
Price – Rs 905/- (for paperback), Rs 279/- (kindle version)
Language – English
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I’ll surely get this because I’m wondering why she’s the master of short stories. I don’t think I’ve read any of her works yet.
Short stories can be a very good choice for the beginner readers and also for the readers who want choices for fast reading which they can read on the way while travelling or communicating from home to office and vicerversa. I love reading short stories because it offers a different level of charm and based on your recommendations I would love to go for this book.
Your review intrigues me. I wish to get my hands on this book Dear Life by Alice Munro. You say she is the master of short stories but strangely I haven’t read her stories yet.
I want to read the book because I am curious about life in Canada. I am also curious about Alice’s style of writing. The paperback is high priced though, nevertheless this is on my TBR list now.
Nice this seems like an interesting collection of stories, I recall reading one of her short stories in school was quite good.
Wow Novel prize for literature. I am yet to read a Novel prize winning book. I still haven’t read Geetanjali. Shame on me. Thanks for the reminder. Will complete Geetanjali first and then pick up this book.
Your review intriguing me to read this Dear Life. I wanted to see the writing style, the way she put complicated character in simple word. More over she is not perching any moral. That is another interesting part. Though it is costly but will try on Kindle.
I like reading stories and also run a group where each month with read a book, so ll surely add it to my list over there.
I started reading her short stories and enjoyed them
I am glad you too like her work. Can you recommend the ones you liked?
I love to read short stories. I guess Anton Chekhov inspired me to read short stories from my school days. This book seems very promising to read and the review of yours is very useful. Would love to give it a try.
The harsh cold winters and the certain emotional bleakness did remind me of some Russian works.
What a nice review Preeti. Somehow , because of your review I am already connected to the stories and I know I will like this one. I was aware of this book but dunno why, never thought of reading it. I guess now it’s time😊.
I like such non-preachy, slice of life stories. Will definitely check this out, especially coz I’d like to know Canada as it was, rather than it is now
I have read Alice Munro’s books before and like the way she writes. I have not read this one. Sounds like a must-read obviously.
I like the honest review. I’ve only recently started reading short stories. Will give this a try.
Dear Life is exactly the kind of book I enjoy. When the writer gets his/her point across through emotions and no moral policing it touches a chord. I will check this one out.
I have the book on my TBR but haven’t got down to it. Now I am picking it up for sure. Love Alice Munro’s writing. She is indeed a master storyteller.
I liked the non-preachy theme of the book. Life as such is a big teacher. What we learn depends on our perspective and understanding.
Shall check this out!
I’m always on the lookout for books that offer a realistic portrayal of life, and it sounds like Dear Life does just that. Can’t wait to read it!
nice review. i have been adding short stories to be TBR lately, i will check this out.
nice review. i have been adding short stories to be TBR lately, i will check this out.
I like reading short stories and this seems to be a great fit. The snippets of life and how it endeavours many are worth reading. I wonder how impactful these may be. Adding it to my tbr.
I’ve actually never read this author’s work. Sad to hear of the controversies she has been embroiled in lately.
It does put a new context to her works.