The Stone Diaries follows one woman, Daisy Goodwill Hoad Flett, from her birth on 1905 through the turbulent stages of childhood, marriage, motherhood and maturity, and finally to her death. Filled with uncertainty about the events of her life and the choices she has made, Daisy struggles to relate her tale and to understand her place in her own story. The novel is both a satiric examination of the limitations of biography and a sincere exploration of the intricate mysteries of human experience. Through Shields' moving and graceful prose, The Stone Diaries successfully blends irony and affection to create a portrait that is full of insight, generosity and humour.