Loved the snarky wit, dark humor, and original writing style. E. Annie Proulx's unique, and almost poetic writing, grabbed my attention, and held me captive until the last page. The main character, Quoyle, is totally original, and his journey is one that evokes tons of compassion. I especially appreciated his endeavor to reconnect with his familial roots, reclaim pieces of his broken life, and start over, basically from scratch. Definitely cheered him onward, and was a bit melancholy when the story ended. I'd easily recommend this one to others. Happy reading!

This is one of the very best novels I've had the chance to read. It's not just that the story is rich in and of itself - and it is - it's that the words themselves are so artfully assembed that they provide layers of undercurrents that add depth and emotion to the narrative. This book reads like a symphony, with many intertwined themes and narratives all woven together into a whole, unified picture.

Proulx writes in choppy short sentecnes. It's akward and clumsy language viewed against the littered murky landscape of personal failure and Mockingbird, NY, where the story starts. But when the story shifts location - in the first of several deeply satisfying views of fair-handed fate - the choppiness of the words begin to work in concert with the setting. Words that sounded unnatural and coarse describing suburban life are perfect when describing the Newfundland coast line and the direct, honest, self-possesed people who live there. As the characters grow and gain depth, the language fits them more and more clearly.

Proulx describes a world that could hardly be more concrete and weaves in thrilling bits of magic. She doesn't water down an incredibly hard life but weaves in the certainty that it's a also a good life. In the end, she's created a lovely, satisfying book without the slightest hint of syrup, contrivance or manipulation. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I hated to see it end.

First rating given in 2021.
Updated 2024.

A couple of good friends (thank you Maren and Ernst) recently 'liked' this rating.
I uploaded this, and others, very soon after joining Goodreads and, since that time, have honed and improved my review and rating skills.
Therefore, this one gets an extra start now = from 3 to 4 star rating.
I did read it many years ago. If I get time to reread it, who knows, it might get the full whammy!

I understand why is that there are negative reviews about this book. I also had a hard time finishing this book because there are some parts that are dull or not that interesting. But overall, I enjoyed the 3/4 of the novel and I guess I could only recommend this to those who can devote a lot of time to be able to finish this book.