"The Shipping News" is a novel by E. Annie Proulx, published in 1993. The story follows the life of Quoyle, a hapless and overweight newspaper reporter who, after his wife Petal's suicide, moves with his young daughters Bunny and Sunshine to his ancestral home in the remote town of Killick-Claw on the Newfoundland coast.
In Killick-Claw, Quoyle finds work at the local newspaper, The Gammy Bird, where he is tasked with writing the shipping news column. As he begins to learn about the town's residents and its history, Quoyle starts to find a sense of belonging and purpose that he never had before. He also begins a relationship with Wavey Prowse, a young widow who becomes a surrogate mother to his daughters.
As Quoyle becomes more involved in the community, he starts to uncover the dark secrets of his family's past, including the abuse and neglect suffered by his ancestors at the hands of the powerful and wealthy Beety family. He also discovers that Petal's death was not a suicide, but a murder orchestrated by her lover, a wealthy businessman.
As Quoyle comes to terms with his past and his newfound sense of identity, he also begins to take control of his life, becoming more confident and assertive, and standing up to the Beety family. He also helps Wavey confront the demons of her past and they fall in love.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the harsh and rugged Newfoundland landscape, and the sea which plays a central role in the lives of the characters. Themes of family, identity, and the search for belonging are explored throughout the novel, with Proulx's evocative and lyrical prose bringing the setting and characters to life.
Despite the traumatic events that Quoyle experienced in his past, the story ends on a hopeful and uplifting note, with Quoyle finding happiness and a sense of belonging in Killick-Claw, and the possibility of a new beginning with Wavey and his daughters.
17 янв 2023
