Search - The Shipping News

I wasn't too sure that I would like this book when I first started reading it...After the first few chapters, though, I didn't want to put it down! It's a great read!

One of the most delightful reading experiences is to begin a novel that contains such misery and provides a tortured view of a pathetic existence, to lament that this book will only continue in that path and serve to fully depress, to almost lay it down from sheer fright of the future pages, and then to suddenly, magically, find that the novel is quite possibly one of the best you have ever read.

Quoyle is a tragic figure, not because he truly means to be, but because his circumstances and upbringing mold him into one. Proulx's genius is illustrated by her steady yet subtle transformation of his character while surprising readers with his innate goodness (originally hidden by every fault). And this novel is a classic example of the reason one must have the negatives - to fully appreciate the positives. Without the atrocious wife, Petal Bear, one could not fully grasp Quoyle; without Quoyle's deadbeat father and brother, one could not understand Quoyle's aunt; without all the tribulations in the story, one could not love the children, Bunny and Sunshine.

The Shipping News is a book that tugs at heartstrings without hurting the reader. It is a story that transforms its characters as well as its audience, leaving a message not of pain and suffering, but of hope, love and justice.

Highly recommended.

Proulx's solid, stunning, stellar writing sets the mood for this novel placed in a small shipping town in Newfoundland. Although the characters are physically isolated, they slowly break down and get to know each other in a natural way - not at all forced as in many other contemporary novels. Such a comment on the way of life in Canada.

Proulx's diction amazes and stuns as much as it puzzles, many times completing removing passive verbs from entire chapters. Along the way, you learn much about tying knots - and also about untying the complex knots of her characters.

I thought I would hate this book when I first started reading it. It is written in a style I have never come across before. Ironic would be the best way to describe it. I ended up loving the story. It gives a glimpse into a life most of us could never imagine.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a unique story of family and I learned alot about fishing, knots and Newfoundland history.

Set in Newfoundland, darkly comic family story, a bit heavy going at times.

Winner of the Pulitzer prize - this book was turned into a movie. At 36, Quoyle, a third rate newspaperman, is wrenched violently out of his workday life when his wife dies. He takes his daughters and relocates to his ancestral home on the Newfoundland coast. This is a really great story - I enjoyed the book more than the movie.

Winning the Pulitzer Prize, it's not hard to see why...amazing narrative voice, very spare. If you read this in conjunction with Russell Russo's Empire Falls, you'll get two Pulitzer Prize winning novels, both about small towns, both amazing examples of narrative voice and characters-- and both so very different. Recommended!

A great read! I love her writing style..short and to the point. The movie version with Kevin Spacey doesn't disappoint!

Hated the book! It was dull, dry and dreary. I found myself completely lacking in sympathy towards the characters. I never like a movie better than the book, and yet in this case, the movie was better (although, I didn't love the movie, either).

A truly Original work, of life on the Newfoundland coast. Pulitzer Prize and worth it.

Synopsis

When Quoyle's two-timing wife meets her just desserts, he retreats with his two daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters and family members all play a part in Quoyle's struggle to reclaim his life. As Quoyle confronts his private demons -- and the unpredictable forces of nature and society -- he begins to see the possibility of love without pain or misery.

A vigorous, darkly comic, and at times magical portrait of the contemporary North American family, The Shipping News shows why Annie Proulx is recognized as one of the most gifted and original writers in America today.

Ms. Proulx has a very sparse writing style that takes some time to adjust to, but well worth the effort. The book was different and enjoyable with characters that are memorable.

I haven't read this book yet. My mother gave it to me, and said its a great book about some american family.

Even better than the movie. Read it and weep for joy.

Very good.

life in Newfoundland. Life as a fisherman with many experiences.

Have not read

The story of a "loser" who finds his own way in his peeople's land of Newfoundland. A story of place and finding oneself. Author of Brokeback Mountain. Winner of Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, among others.

Pulitzer Prize winning novel. From the back..."At thirty-six, Quoyle, a third-rate newspaperman, is wrenched violently out of his workday life when his two-timing wife meets her just desserts. He retreats with his two daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters all play a part in Quoyle's struggle to reclaim his life. As three generations of
his family cobble up new lives, Quoyle confronts his private demons-and the unpredictable forces of nature and society-and begins to see the possibility of love without pain or misery."