A personal response by Stephanie Hann

  The Shipping News  incorporates many different feelings for a particular reader. It's no wonder that producers are in the making of creating a movie on this novel.  There are so many conflicts that are easily recognized  and related to life in Newfoundland out ports, which brings it close to home. The dialect and short choppy sentences in the novel is a clear reflection for most Newfoundlanders' way of talking.  The imagery in the setting provides a strong visual opportunity for one to read beyond the words and create a mental picture.  I found myself laughing, crying, and dreaming throughout the various circumstances encountered by different characters in the novel.  Proulx's use of vocabulary creates a mood which traps you into the realm of the lives of each character, as you become one of them.
    As a Newfoundlander from a small out port on the Western coast, these characters came alive, as I imagined each character as someone I know.  It is the type of novel that would fit almost any description of an out port community and it's members.  Proulx's vivid description of the characters makes it easy to visualize their different characteristics and their personality.  At times, her description provides a chuckle or two, as the characters come to reality, such as in the very beginning of the novel (p.2) when Proulx describes Quoyle as "A great damp of a body.... head shaped like a crenshaw, no neck, reddish hair ruched back.".  Immediately, I think of a man named Tom Tucker from my own community who matches this description and portrays many of the same personality traits as that of Quoyle.  Therefore, I often read the novel replacing characters' names with those names I know, creating a "mental movie" as I read the novel.
    Annie Proulx reveals the difficulties of life in Newfoundland that are also evident today. With Newfoundland's history of the fishery and the difficulties encountered, the novel brings about a mound of emotions.  The hardships and struggles in finding employment outside of this industry is reflected in the lives of the characters in The Shipping News.  In the most overwhelming circumstances, whatever they may be, the characters in this novel interact and come together creating a feeling of warmth and caring as a social community.  This is also true of Newfoundlanders in reality.  In a small community where most people know each other, we tend to pull together and lend a helping hand to those in need.  When someone is in a bind, we tend to take control and involve ourselves in each other's lives.  Although this may not always be pleasant, in the majority of of cases we are blessed to have  such wonderful neighbors and friends.  This is relevant in the novel, as each character tends to offer advice, provide support, lend a hand and be a friend to others.
    While some of the issues such as alcohol and sexual abuse are of great concern, it is realty.  We must not dwell on these aspects totally, and I like to think that Newfoundland is more than that.  It is my home and I'm proud of it.  If you want to learn about Newfoundland heritage The Shipping News can help you begin your stroll through the extraordinary and exciting details of life on the 'ROCK'!! We love thee Newfoundland...................!!