Small Ceremonies

{{Short description|1976 novel by Carol Shield}}

{{Infobox book |

| name = Small Ceremonies

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| image = Small Ceremonies.jpg

| caption = First Canadian edition

| author = Carol Shields

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| country = Canada

| language = English

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| publisher = McGraw-Hill Ryerson

| release_date = 1976

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| isbn = 978-0070823402

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Small Ceremonies is a 1976 novel by American-Canadian writer Carol Shields.Arnold Edinborough, "What a novel should do — and four are put to the test". Financial Post, May 1, 1976. The novel centres on Judith Gill, a university academic who is writing a biography of Susanna Moodie, depicting a year in the life of her family.John Bryans, "Laughter amid the barbs". Vancouver Sun, May 7, 1976.

The novel has sometimes been described as a roman à clef, as it was published around the same time as Shields' own real-life biography of Moodie and the protagonist's academic background closely resembled Shields's own.Marilyn Brown, "Canadian most appealing among female novelists". Edmonton Journal, May 29, 1976.

The novel won the Canadian Authors Association's annual award for fiction in 1977,Burt Heward, "Carol Shields wins medal: Award to Ottawa novelist". Ottawa Citizen, May 25, 1977. and was shortlisted for the Books in Canada First Novel Award."Two writers to share award for first novels in Canada". Ottawa Citizen, March 29, 1977.