The Shipping News

Skip the abridged version of this book! I wasn't crazy about it, then decided to give the unabrdged version a chance and I'm SO glad I did. It's a superb book when read in full. I'd rate it 5 stars.

This book is such a great read I couldn't put it down. It stayed in my thoughts when I couldn't read it, and I used any excuse to get back to it. A quirky, humorous and sad story, it is written as vividly as though the author was experiencing everything as she wrote. The characters are almost alive and kind of odd, having lived in a small community for so long. But the great thing is that everyone accepts the quirks of others, at least until the end.

"The Shipping News" is a great listen. Annie Proulx (who, I just now realized, also wrote Brokeback Mountain) uses beautiful language to describe the smell and feel of her characters' environment. I just loved listening to it especially when I can't sleep. My only criticism is that it ends too abruptly.
"The Shipping News" is a book I could listen to again. I can't say that for the other Audible books I have downloaded. This is moody, serene and engaging novel.

My 1st Annie Proulx novel, but certainly not my last. I chose the abridged version because I liked Robert Joy's voice. He seemed more Quoyle-like to me. Read the book, listened to the audio version and watched the movie. Time well spent.

The book is excellent

It is a compelling story of growth and human character

His voice is off putting, and detracted from the story.

No

no

The characters didn't interest me. They were sad-sack. The narration was okay. But everything about this story seemed lame. Don't waste your time or credit.

I generally liked the book but thought something was missing. When it ended I found it was an abridged version, I realized a lot must have been left out. Didn't know to pay attention to this -thought audible books were all full versions.

All of the Pulitzer Prizes in the world (yes, this book won in 1994) can’t save “The Shipping News” from terminal boredom. Proulx belongs to a segment of the modern school which deemphasizes plot, which might work if the characters and their inner thoughts were fascinating. But this essentially plotless novel is populated by some very dull individuals. It’s one thing to write well, which Proulx does, but it’s another thing to have something to write about. If your want to read a book which celebrates ordinariness, this slight tale might be for you, but don’t be surprised if you, too, end up as bored as I was.

I usually hate abridged versions but Robert Joy does an excellent job with these voices.

Awesome read, loved it, the character was made for Mr Spacey! Very enjoyable.