What the Stones Remember: A Life Rediscovered

What the Stones Remember: A Life Rediscovered is an exquisitely written memoir by the poet Patrick Lane filled with reflections on memory, identity, and healing. Throughout, Lane intertwines his childhood experiences in the wilderness of British Columbia with his present life as a recovering alcoholic. Through vivid recollections, he delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the impact of addiction, and the redemptive qualities of nature. The narrative unfolds in his garden, a sanctuary that mirrors his path to sobriety and personal growth, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the transformative power of nature and memory.

Readers will find solace in Lane’s lyrical prose as he navigates the interconnectedness of all living things, offering insight into the resilience of the human spirit. The book provides a meditative reflection on the cycles of life, loss, and renewal, encouraging readers to embrace the beauty and pain of their own journeys. Lane’s narrative serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and that the past, while unchangeable, can inform and enrich the present. This evocative memoir invites readers to reflect on their own lives, promising a deeply moving experience that resonates long after the final page. Lane’s poignant storytelling makes What the Stones Remember a must-read for those seeking understanding and connection through the lens of nature’s enduring beauty.

About the Author :
Considered to be one of the finest poets of his generation, Patrick Lane has authored more than twenty-five books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and children's poetry. He has received most of Canada's top literary awards and a number of grants and fellowships from the Canada Council for the Arts. His writing appears in all major Canadian anthologies of English literature. His gardening skills have been featured in the Recreating Eden television series. Lane has been a writer-in-residence at the University of Toronto, Concordia University in Montreal, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Alberta. He presently teaches part-time at the University of Victoria. He lives in British Columbia, with his wife, the poet Lorna Crozier.

Review :
“In the sure and steady hands of a writer at the peak of his power, it is an achingly beautiful journey. There is a sorrowful beauty to the strong, poetic language. Despite the savage reality of the revelations, there is a peacefulness, a maturity of vision that is a pure gift to the reader.”—The Washington Post

“It is clear that in these vivid, intersecting worlds of nature and language, Lane has found true self-expression and a certain transcendence from the pain he seems destined to carry with him always.”—Seattle Times

“What the Stones Remember is a dark and beautiful memoir. Lane, ever the poet, exudes an elegance in his writing even when describing brutality.”—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“At once courageous, honest, and uplifting, this book of wisdom and wonder should be savored.”—Library Journal

"The sort of memoir you will leave open beside a favorite chair, and you will read it, I think, with long pauses to savor the beauty of the language and to reflect on its relevance for your own journey."—The Globe and Mail 

“To read this book is to enter a state of enchantment.”—Alice Munro

“Patrick Lane has written a memoir of heartbreaking struggle that manages to be beautiful and encouraging, finding anchorage in what was once called Creation, the natural world and its unstinting promise of renewal.”—Thomas McGuane

“A tough, lovely book.”—Margaret Atwood

“There are scenes in this book so terrifyingly beautiful they take your breath away. Patrick Lane guides us across a grueling landscape with a steady hand. This is a tremendous contribution by an author at the peak of his power.”—Alistair MacLeod

“This is the best book I’ve read in a decade. Here is a classic memoir, wrought in prose as beautiful as the natural world that is his obsession and salvation.”—Guy Vanderhaeghe

“This is a record of recovery. Of a life, nearly lost, out of the dark into memory; of spiritual wholeness through a poet’s attentiveness, season after season, to his garden—a real one. Only a writer of Patrick Lane’s savage but forgiving vision could accomplish both in the same breath, and with such breathtaking beauty and power.”—David Malouf