The Shipping News for a Second Time!

My family and I traveled to Newfoundland for a summer vacation this year. In preparation for this trip, I began to re-read this lovely novel that takes place in a small fictional fishing village. As a rule, I do not read a novel twice: there are too many books and just not enough time. But I made an exception on this one, and I'm glad that I did.

From my journal entry in May of 1995, I read Annie Proux's Pulitzer Prize winner and enjoyed it.  As  previously mentioned, I have kept a journal of my reading since January 1989.  It was great to flip back through the pages an find my note on this great book. Here's what I said about this novel nearly 20 years ago:

"A fabulous read about a small family that leaves their painful life in the US, and makes the small town life of Newfoundland their new home.  The story centres around the father Quoyle, who works at a small local newspaper covering the comings and goings of fishing boats in and around the island.

It's a terrific look at life in a small, isolated fishing village. There's a great perspective, since the novel is written from the outsiders point of view...like standing outside a cosy, warm home and watching a pleasant scene."

Now that I have visited Newfoundland, my second reading of this lovely novel was much enriched. References to fishing activities and coastal ways of live make more sense. I feel like I might have passed through Quoyle's adopted fishing village, and I know how the island looks when the fog rolls in. I understand what a salt box home is, and I have stood on a fishing slip. Here are a few of my pictures to Newfoundland, which might interest you and lead you to read this Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

Claudio and Trinity, Trinity Bay

Tiny Fishing Village in the Trinity Bay area

Near Bonavista

Trinity at Dusk

Woody Point, Gros Morne National Park

Old Saltbox Home at Woody Point

Socks for Sale at Trout River

Time with Dad in Twillingate 

"Iceberg Straight Ahead"

Low Tide in Wesleyville