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A review by rce59
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Winter reading challenge continues! On a different platform, but still counts.
Unlike some of my other challenge reads, The Ship News, is a bit more 'literary' as its category is Won an Award and its award is none other than the National Book Award. So a beach read, this is not!
But despite its, at times, wordy prose and poetic descriptions, I enjoyed this book. Its main character, Quoyle, is a bit of an unfortunate man who is bumbling through life, constantly covering up his massive chin and trying to find his way in the world. The major event that completes changes his life is marrying Petal, a narcissistic bully who has lots of boyfriends, and having two daughters. Their whole meeting was a blink and you'll miss it paragraph, perhaps highlighting the actual substance of Petal compared to the damage that she left behind. Her death was abrupt, but clearly came at a good time
Quoyle and his daughters travel with Quoyle's aunt to return to their home of Newfoundland which truly seems like a world away. Quoyle gets a job at the local newspaper and tries to integrate himself into Candian fishing life. There is a whole cast of characters, all with rich and slightly traumatic backstories The couple with the yacht was particularly crazy
I could see how this book won its prize, as the writing was very good (even if all the boats, knots and maritime references got a little heavy handed). It offered some interesting commentary on our fraying social contracts and connection, which seems relevant 30 years after its publication. In that regard, it sort of reminded me of John Steinback.
By the end of the book, you found yourself wanting things to work out for Quoyle and his family and rise up against their circumstances and outlook.At the end, Quoyle and Wavey finally sorted out their issues and got together which was lovely. But that was perhaps topped by their realization of a healthier and happier type of love, that they did themselves deserve, even if it took some time. It was very Perks of Being a Wallflower- you accept the love you think you deserve
Unlike some of my other challenge reads, The Ship News, is a bit more 'literary' as its category is Won an Award and its award is none other than the National Book Award. So a beach read, this is not!
But despite its, at times, wordy prose and poetic descriptions, I enjoyed this book. Its main character, Quoyle, is a bit of an unfortunate man who is bumbling through life, constantly covering up his massive chin and trying to find his way in the world. The major event that completes changes his life is marrying Petal, a narcissistic bully who has lots of boyfriends, and having two daughters.
Quoyle and his daughters travel with Quoyle's aunt to return to their home of Newfoundland which truly seems like a world away. Quoyle gets a job at the local newspaper and tries to integrate himself into Candian fishing life. There is a whole cast of characters, all with rich and slightly traumatic backstories
I could see how this book won its prize, as the writing was very good (even if all the boats, knots and maritime references got a little heavy handed). It offered some interesting commentary on our fraying social contracts and connection, which seems relevant 30 years after its publication. In that regard, it sort of reminded me of John Steinback.
By the end of the book, you found yourself wanting things to work out for Quoyle and his family and rise up against their circumstances and outlook.