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clairealex 's review for:
The Shipping News
by Annie Proulx
I was sure I had read this book, but since I couldn't remember any details decided to reread it. All I recognized was the use of knot descriptions at the heads of chapters. So I must have only flipped through it. Ah, memory.
The beginning, the part about the two-timing wife, did not appeal to me, though it was necessary to understand Quoyle. I cotinued reading only because of the reputation of the book, but I think the book would have benefited had this been handled as flashback. Once Quoyle and his Aunt began the trek to Newfoundland, my interest picked up. I could enjoy a rambling account of place and time without much plot, but with much character development.
Finally plot entered in--alas I have forgotten the chapter title and no longer have the book at hand, something like Grace Island--and I do like plot and found it compelling. After a couple hundred pages, plot and setting took turns being dominant, but from here on I remained hooked.
The descriptive style put me into the times of poverty, of change from traditional ways to new. Changes in characters were adequately motivated and convinced me. The ending seemed right.
The beginning, the part about the two-timing wife, did not appeal to me, though it was necessary to understand Quoyle. I cotinued reading only because of the reputation of the book, but I think the book would have benefited had this been handled as flashback. Once Quoyle and his Aunt began the trek to Newfoundland, my interest picked up. I could enjoy a rambling account of place and time without much plot, but with much character development.
Finally plot entered in--alas I have forgotten the chapter title and no longer have the book at hand, something like Grace Island--and I do like plot and found it compelling. After a couple hundred pages, plot and setting took turns being dominant, but from here on I remained hooked.
The descriptive style put me into the times of poverty, of change from traditional ways to new. Changes in characters were adequately motivated and convinced me. The ending seemed right.