Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

The Shipping News : A Novel
 

The Shipping News : A Novel

by Annie Proulx

In this touching and atmospheric novel set among the fishermen of Newfoundland, Proulx tells the story of Quoyle. From all outward appearances, Quoyle has gone through his first 36 years on earth as a big schlump of a loser. He's not attractive, he's not brilliant or witty or talented, and he's not the kind of person who typically assumes the central position in a novel. But Proulx creates... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  pulitzer prize,  canada,  contemporary fiction,  literature (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • libraries and librarians Discussion Group
  • What are you reading? Discussion Group
  • Bestseller's Browsers Discussion Group
  • Pulitzer Prize winners Discussion Group
  • Denton Literary Society Discussion Group
  • Turn the Page Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

Hayley M
  • Rated 4 stars

“this was the first novel i read that opened me up to the world of character driven fiction. i fell in love (and continue to be in love)with the characters, the landscape, and the symbolism. the way every chapter is headed with the description of a knot- perfect! annie proulx's ability to descibe the scenery in a detailed manner really enables the reader to put themselves there with the characters. i feel like i've to Newfoundland! i also enjoyed the deeper message of the different brands...”

Hayley M’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Hollye K
  • Rated 1 stars

“This is the only book that pained me to read. I've put this down more times over 10 years than I can count. I finally finished it out of guilt and was still disappointed. A rare statement from me: skip the book, rent the movie.”

Hollye K’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 3.757409 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 3.730769 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • starrling84

    starrling84 said:

    “I loved the film but I started the book and just got annoyed. Still not sure if I'll read it or just give the book away...”

    posted Monday, May 12 2008
  • Margret T

    margret t said:

    “I love this book. I can't really explain why, just do :D But my sister tried to read it....she really really hated it. Different tastes, different feelings :D”

    posted Monday, May 12 2008
  • Jennie M

    jennie m said:

    “Not my favorite. Quoyle is too pathetic for my liking, and I felt the story moved too slowly. I appreciate Proulx's gift for metaphor but it wasn't enough to make me enjoy the story. ”

    posted Friday, February 29 2008
  • uplandpoet

    uplandpoet said:

    “depressing to think this is her best work, a plodding work about a band of slow witted unpleasant people deal with a series of self inflicted obstacles, boring story, poorly written, just my humble opinion.”

    posted Saturday, January 12 2008
  • Rick H

    rick h said:

    “If you thought Brokeback Mountain was a faithful adaptation of an Annie Proulx story (I did), make sure you AVOID the movie version of the Shipping News: it's shallow,incomplete, and utterly miscast.”

    posted Saturday, December 29 2007
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy