I recently had to get Annie Proulx' "The Shipping News" out of the library for a quiz I was working on, and found myself drawn back into it. It's been about ten years since I first read this book, and I had forgotten how really good it is. The plot (widower recovers from unhappy first marriage, finds new love and a sense of community in small town) could belong to any of a dozen dime store romances, but instead it makes this thick, rich, magical stew of a novel.
This book also contains what is to my mind one of the funniest lines I've ever read. My husband though, didn't think it was funny at all - maybe it's a girl thing.

An elderly woman is talking about another old woman:
"Mrs Buggit don't go out now, only to the clothesline. She suffers from stress incontinence, they calls it. She can't hold her water. When she stands up or laughs or coughs or whatever, A problem. They was trying to get her to do some exercises, you know, stop and go, stop and go, she said it didn't make a bit of difference, except they noticed the dog would stand in front of the bathroom door when she was in there and act real concerned."

I never read the book, but I did see the movie. I have always wanted to go to Newfoundland. Since books are usually better than the movies, I'll keep my eyes open for a copy.

So, how was the movie? I didn't see it, once I learned that Kevin Spacey was to play Quoyle, a big, clumsy man, not very physically attractive. Now I really admire Spacey, I think he is a fine actor, but I just can't see him as this character - picture a Randy Quaid type. It seemed that they were not going to be paying much attention to the actual book, and would just Hollywoodize it. I seldom watch movies based on books I've liked - don't get me started on the Lord of the Rings!

Not having read the book, I had no preconceived notions about Quoyle. Kevin Spacey did a very nice job. It wouldn't have been a movie about Nfld. without my favourite Gordon Pinsent.And Judi Dench was excellent

I know what you mean about books and movies. Gone With The Wind is a prime example