Annie Proulx

Advantages: Simply a Superb book
Disadvantages: Hollywood tried to make a movie out of it

...'s daughters suddenly has what seems like frightening visions of a vicious dog. There's the Quoyle's inability to learn how to write a really proper newspaper article on purpose, but suddenly discovers that by accident he does have the talent after all. When his heart is broken by his first wife, he seems unable to believe that love comes with anything but pain, and yet, he stumbles into a relationship with another woman in Newfoundland and doesn't even recognize what is happening to him. Quoyle was unable to learn how to swim as a young boy, but is able to overcome his fear of the water and the vicious sea out of need and accident. All these elements come into play in this elaborate story. I think that now that I've read this book, I'll have to look for more novels by Annie Proulx - she's that good. And as I read this book, and was pulled... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful plot, amazing writing style
Disadvantages: Style takes a little getting used to, slow to get going

...I loved this book, and I love Annie Proulx's writing. This book may take a little while to get into but it is definately worth the effort, however, as with all of Proulx's work, don't expect a straightforward story with a beginning, a middle and an end, or you will be frustrated. This novel, despite it's strange twists and turns, reads like real life - for much of the time nothing really happens, but then when it does, however bizarre and however disturbing that thing might be, sooner or later life will just go back on, and you may never be sure of all the facts - and that is the beauty of it. This is pure escapisim, in it's location and main character, but it is escapisim without the melodrama and over exaggerated storylines that many authors seem to feel it neccessary to include. Set in Newfoundland, The Shipping News tells... Read review

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Advantages: Wide range of stories, superb writing
Disadvantages: The ranching theme can get overbearing if you read it through in one go

...all the best lines from the film (or rather, vice versa) and Annie Proulx's writing style is at once terse and deliciously descriptive. Brokeback Mountain was considered 'unfilmable' for a long time (though thank goodness they managed it in the end) and you can see why: the story set in breathtaking scenery with intriguing characters jumps out and begs to be made into a film. It is also by far the best story in this book. Don't worry though - the rest of this book was definitely worth the £3.99 I paid Amazon for it without the masterpiece Brokeback Mountain. The stories range in time from the latter part of the 19th century to contemporary settings (technically in the 1990s, when they written). The topics covered are also various, from the overweight lonely rancher's daughter to the funloving woman who gets involved with a bad man... Read review

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