zipbosk 's review for:

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

4.0

challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A bit weird but it was rewarding to persist with it. The writing style took a while to get used to. The book starts out with masses of very short sentences that are a bit jarring, but the style becomes more fluent and descriptive as the book progresses, perhaps mirroring the main character’s development (or is it the reader that softens to Quoyle?) Very believable characters and dialogue. It was a refreshing read, honest and true to life. Interesting to learn about Newfoundland and the way of life in a small fishing community that is (and has to be) stuck in the past. Interesting/ depressing how much of the commentary written in 1993 was still, if not more relevant today. it was somehow boring and riveting at the same time. I didn’t feel sure of the direction or meaning of the book until the last page when Proulx managed to tie it all together (intentional knot pun). Enjoyed the epigraphs before each chapter. A subtle and atmospheric read.