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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Though there wasn’t much in the way of loveable characters or a continuous plot, there was something compelling about this book. It definitely got better as it went on, and there was good writing - but even with it being a quick reading, felt like a slog - like the cold winters Proulx describes.
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER: 1994
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I'm still not entirely sure how I felt about this one. 3.5 rounded, down, I think...
The writing style is quite unusual, and I don't know that I enjoyed it all that much. It certainly took me awhile to grow more or less accustomed to it, and though I can see how the style might compliment the story, for me, it ultimately was more distracting that anything, repeatedly pulling me out of the novel. It builds fairly slowly, but I did enjoy the characters--enjoyed them more the more and more I read--and the community of Newfoundland was wonderfully captured. Things seemed to meander a bit more than I thought was strictly necessary. Overall, I did enjoy, though I didn't absolutely love it.
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I'm still not entirely sure how I felt about this one. 3.5 rounded, down, I think...
The writing style is quite unusual, and I don't know that I enjoyed it all that much. It certainly took me awhile to grow more or less accustomed to it, and though I can see how the style might compliment the story, for me, it ultimately was more distracting that anything, repeatedly pulling me out of the novel. It builds fairly slowly, but I did enjoy the characters--enjoyed them more the more and more I read--and the community of Newfoundland was wonderfully captured. Things seemed to meander a bit more than I thought was strictly necessary. Overall, I did enjoy, though I didn't absolutely love it.
I love this book. Such a different writing style from anything i have ever read, but it works. Full of literary significance and just lovely to read. E. Annie Proulx's characterization is simply superb
would recommend to anyone looking for a quality piece of literature that will make them think!
would recommend to anyone looking for a quality piece of literature that will make them think!
This has been sat on my 'to read' shelf for the last few years and I finally ended up getting it again after moving to NZ. In fact I started it in NZ and finished it back in the UK (reading the two different copies, which also have different covers - I picked the best of them for selection here)
I really enjoyed the densely descriptive prose (the short, sharp, staccato sentences initially tax but soon become second nature), creating a new world for me to inhabit for a while. Quoyle is a character who really grows (both personally and on you), there are many unique and wonderfully realised supporting characters interacting through many strange, weird and often funny situations. It often reminded me of Catch 22 in this respect.
Very much recommended. It also won the Pulitzer in 1994 plus a few other awards.
I really enjoyed the densely descriptive prose (the short, sharp, staccato sentences initially tax but soon become second nature), creating a new world for me to inhabit for a while. Quoyle is a character who really grows (both personally and on you), there are many unique and wonderfully realised supporting characters interacting through many strange, weird and often funny situations. It often reminded me of Catch 22 in this respect.
Very much recommended. It also won the Pulitzer in 1994 plus a few other awards.
I tried. I just couldn't find a way to care about Quoyle. I thought the writing artificial, with poorly constructed sentences and pointless fragments littering every page. The characters are unsympathetic and dull -- life is too short to spend time with characters who matter so little to me. Sorry, Pulitzer committee, I just don't understand this one.
Boring everyday living in a boating town. I got halfway through before deciding my reading time is too precious to be spent on a non-compelling story. A Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award for this book? Why?
I am unsure of how to rate this book. I began reading it, but the voice in my head gave the narration the wrong voice. The audio narration allowed me to truly enjoy its dark satirical storyline.
This is yet another book I would never have picked up on my own. It is a book club "read' which encouraged me to listen to it twice back to back. There was enough going on in the story that there were gems I missed the first time around.
This is yet another book I would never have picked up on my own. It is a book club "read' which encouraged me to listen to it twice back to back. There was enough going on in the story that there were gems I missed the first time around.
I had to fight through the beginning, but liked it more with each page. The immersion into the characters and the world really sneaks up on you. A true redemption story that isn’t forced or formulaic in any way.