I've read The Stone Diaries , also by Carol Shields, 3 years ago. I don't remember that much of the characters or the plot, but I do know that it made an enormous impression on me and that I have hardly ever (or maybe never) been that enchanted by literature before in my life. To put it mildly, that novel set the bar quite high for this other Shields novel. I think it is almost impossible to beat that, and indeed, Unless was not at all like The Stone Diaries , but that is alright. It was sensitive, subtle, and full of beautiful imagery - these three points are for me the essence of Carol Shields' writing. I think the story and the plot development of The Stone Diaries appealed to me more, but this novel was clearly the style of the same brilliant writer. I also liked the themes of literature, translation, and women writing, which created a kind of consciousness about the book itself. All in all, far from dazzling, but quite nice anyway.