The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
"I'm interested in social and economic pressure put on rural places" - Annie Proulx Annie Proulx is a somewhat illusive and highly intriguing author who has navigated the global throughout her life and oeuvre.
Proulx's own perspectives are reflected in the way she has chosen to construct her text, the setting of Newfoundland offering many layers of meaning to the novel. Understanding Proulx as an author is helpful in understanding The Shipping News. An Interview with Annie Proulx - John Detrixhe "There is that natural weight toward the male side, if you're going to write about rural places." Annie get your pen - The Age "Proulx's stories all come from a fascination with place... 'I'm looking for rural places that are fast disappearing in every kind of way'" Big Skies, Empty Places: Influences - Annie Proulx |
"Economics underlies everything that I write. It's change that interests me, social and economic change" - Annie Proulx “The Local provides no more solace than the global if the individual is unable to find the solace themselves” |
The film version is a great resource to view in order to visualise the landscape of Newfoundland. A sense of place is very important in the book. The trailer is useful for some quick establishing shots of the setting.
*The Shipping News text referenced: - 2009 Paperback edition published by Fourth Estate |