“The Shipping News” by Annie Proulx

One of my three books groups, the one I run, focuses loosely on novels with themes of myth or religion. It is not a religious book group, but I find these books I read that I really want to discuss and chew over. A few friends had requested we read something by Annie Proulx. In researching her many books I found little that was overtly mythic/spiritual (though there is a short story written about hell). I finally decided on The Shipping News. I remembered liking it a good deal when I read it for my Book Group of Sacred Memory in Philadelphia, and it would be easy for people to obtain an inexpensive copy, borrow one from the library, or just take it off their shelf.

The story of Quoyle, a “large damp loaf of a man” takes us to Newfoundland, where he tries to begin a new life with his aunt and two daughters. The adults are haunted by ghosts of their pasts, as are many of those they meet. Most chapters begin with a picture of a knot and definition, which foreshadows the events of the chapters and reflects the boat-centric life of the Newfoundlanders.

Outwardly gauche and slow, Quoyle nonetheless was easy for me to love, as was his aunt and other characters in the book. Many parts made me laugh aloud (”poor Nutbeem”) and others made me recoil in horror. Some would say the setting is a character, I’d say it’s more the rich background that imbues the story to such an extent it couldn’t happen anywhere else. Crazy, huge, horrible things happen, and somehow, one of the words to describe how I feel about this book is “sweet”. Also, what I found about the book–that crazy huge horrible things happen and the characters and life go on–felt similarly to the aspect of myth and belief in this book–they’re in there but not obvious, and not made a big deal of. I was glad to revisit this book.

I have not seen the movie, and don’t intend to. Kevin Spacey is a fine actor, but he is so far from the picture of giant-chinned Quoyle in my head that I don’t want them to jockey for space.

3 Responses to ““The Shipping News” by Annie Proulx”

  1. Amy Says:

    Somehow I’ve always had an idea of this book as something quite different from what you’ve described–don’t ask me why; I’ve never read it. Surprisingly (to me) it sounds very appealing. Now I want to look into it. :)

  2. girldetective Says:

    Amy, what was your impression? There is an article out there in which Proulx talks about why she tried for an ironic happy ending, but I found it sincere. Also, fair warning, there is incest, a common theme from the 90’s so some grim stuff.

  3. Amy Says:

    I think I may be mixing it up with something else–sorry, can’t remember what.

    Thanks for the warning. I don’t have much stomach for sordid stuff, even if well-handled.