The Shipping News

THE SHIPPING NEWS

by Annie Proulx

 

Awards: National Book Winner 1993, Pulitzer Winner 1994

 

Nomination: National Book Critics Circle Finalist 1993

 

Date Read: October 28, 2020

 

Following tragedy, newly single Quoyle moves himself and his children to the Newfoundland coast, where their ancestral home remains derelict and empty. Quoyle is uncertain what awaits him there or if this is the right move but this small and tight-knit community immediately embraces them and they find what they perhaps need the most - community.

 

As with all small towns, Killick-Claw is chock full of bizarre and interesting characters. Working at the local newspaper writing the shipping news (hence, the title), Quoyle carves out a life for himself and his daughters that allows them to heal from the loss of Petal, Quoyle’s unrequited love and the daughter of Sunshine and Bunny.

 

Not only does his heart heal, but he meets a woman named Wavey who he is drawn to but not in the same way he was drawn to Petal. Wavy is down to earth and a patient mother to her mentally disabled child and it takes Quoyle some time to sort through his feelings for her. Where Petal evoked passion and heat, Wavy evokes tenderness and companionship, something both of them need.

 

I am completely drawn to this fictional town and page after page could envision myself living there among these crazy fishermen and bread-baking women. The only drawback is all the incest that seems to happen, leaving me to wonder if this has any basis in fact and if so, what’s the deal? Why is it so shockingly prevalent?

 

One of my favorite scenes is Nutbeem’s stag going away party. After the men are good and soused, they decide to go down to the dock and drunkenly destroy Nutbeem’s boat. Tragically, this is the vessel that was to take him back to his native England. The next morning, the men are mortified by their own behavior. Even more astounding is the stride with which Nutbeem embraces the loss of his boat. Proulx is magically gifted.

 

Looking Forward: Postcards

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