Rating: 
Summary: Some of the best writing I've come across.
Review: The protagonist of the novel isn't really what we think of as a hero, and the reader doesn't really like him at first. Once you get into the book, you suddenly realize two things - this simple, unpretentious writing is so good, you've fallen into the cold world of the Northern fishermen. (quite an accomplishment with a Atlanta reader). The second thing the book makes you realize is how petty and superficial our society is - the protagonist is not good-looking, and he seems like kind of a goof- that's not what TV and movies teach us that a hero is supposed to be. The reader starts realizing that the goof is a true hero, as are the rest of the plain, hard-working inhabitants of the story. This is what books are supposed to do - make us look at ourselves or our environment and question the 'truths' we've been submerged in.
Rating:
Summary: Most Wonderful Story
Review: Somehow, I felt mentally and emotionally refreshed after reading this story. Like standing on the beach on a cold day. I can't wait for the cold weather to hit so I can get the audio version, jump in the car, and listen to Shipping News on the way to the coast.
Rating:
Summary: It's on my Most Favorite Books shelf.
Review: This story is a joy to read. Entertaining, resourceful, humorous, poetic. This was my first Proulx and I was wonderfully surprised!
Rating: 
Summary: Get the OFF!
Review: Proulx is a solid writer and fresh voice in fiction. However, getting into this novel's plot was like wading through a mosquito infested muddy swamp; exhausting and painful.
Rating: 
Summary: Bizarre characters, bizarre circumstances
Review: Hard to understand the popularity of a book where the characters are off-the-chart maladapted and cast into bizarre situations. A depressing read.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating characters, absurd situations, great read
Review: Although the book started out very strangely (actually, it was pretty strange throughout!) the characters were likeable. I couldn't wait to find out what ridiculous or absurd things would happen next.
Rating: 
Summary: A novel full of original, raw, language.
Review: I enjoyed this novel. Proulx has ripped Newfoundland out
of the northern reaches of the
continent and placed it on
the page. The novel's language is as rugged as the coast of
Newfoundland. The characters
are unusual, yet sincere. You
know you've entered another culture when you open this book.
Proulx's words paint a memorable picture. Yet, the language
becomes heavy toward the end of the novel.
It
watches
itself play with the characters' dialogue. Perhaps because
I do not know Newfoundland, I could not appreciate the extent to
which Proulx stretches the English language.
But even with this possible
flaw, the novel is beautiful and
very worth reading, especially if you are a fan of the English language and all of its nuances
Rating:
Summary: WRECKING IT FOR ALL OF YOU!
Review: This book is GREAT! Lulls you into a false sense of insecurity. But bear with it... WHAMMO! Happy Ending.
*smile*
luv,
Margot Grouse.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Visual.
Review: For visual imagery, this has to be one of the best books I have read since "West with the Night" by Beryl Markham. This is an absolutely stunning tale about an ordinary man, Quoyle, who very quickly goes from a flat character to a man you would meet next door. Aside from the wonderful story of transformation, this is textured, inciteful, original text. The style is unique yet not in that post-modern way that turns the reader off. Every chapter is repleat with a new idea, a new peice of information that teaches and informs the reader. Proulx makes this story come alive. You feel as if you were there, with the sounds, the pictures, the knots. She makes you want to go to Newfoundland and visit. This is writing at it 's finest, no didactisism, no obvious manipulation of the readers emotion. Just pure talent. You won't be able to put this down.
j.c. holme
Rating:
Summary: KUDOS FOR THIS PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR!!
Review: Being a connoisseur of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, I felt The Shipping News true poetry! The hero, Quoyle, is reminescient of Ignatius, John Kennedy Toole's also bumbling, elephantine character in A Confederacy of Dunces. And Ms. Proulx's writing style has that unique quality inherent in award winning authors. The Quoyle/Proulx and Ignatius/Toole combos are indeed treasures for book collectors and aficionados of award winning sagas
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