'The Shipping News'

A brilliant piece of fiction. Annie Proulx is so stinking good. It's not even really funny.

The story of redemption is always compelling. This isn't the typical redemption story either. No one was hooked on crack or heroin. Nobody was living on the streets or had some kind of physical disability.

In fact, most obstacles in life include neither disability or drugs. Nor do they result in some fantastical victory in a sporting event.

No, most of life's ups and downs are primarily inane and often all in our heads. Or something we can not really do much about.

I think that was part of the realization for our hero Quoyle, who found in Newfoundland that nature, the elements ruled the roost. And that was part of the cleansing -- having the water wash away an fear or inhibition. Having the wind and waves carry off the past.

A new beginning, ironically, in Newfoundland. A place where a-many new beginnings found a home.