E. Annie Proulx

E. Annie Proulx is an American novelist and short story writer who won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for her 1993 novel "The Shipping News." She first gained recognition as a literary figure in her 50s, following decades of working as a freelance journalist and writing how-to books on subjects like dairy farming and cider making. Her work frequently explores rural and working-class characters in harsh landscapes, particularly in settings like Wyoming, Newfoundland, and New England. Proulx's most widely known work is the short story "Brokeback Mountain," published in The New Yorker in 1997 and later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. Proulx's writing style is characterized by precise, descriptive language and an unflinching portrayal of difficult circumstances and complex human relationships. Her novels include "Postcards" (1992), "Accordion Crimes" (1996), and "Barkskins" (2016), which spans 300 years of North American forest history. The author's work has earned numerous accolades beyond the Pulitzer and National Book Award, including the PEN/Faulkner Award and multiple O. Henry Prizes for short fiction. Born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1935, she has lived in various locations across North America, including Vermont, Newfoundland, and Wyoming.

Readers appreciate Proulx's vivid descriptions of landscapes and harsh environments, particularly in Wyoming and Newfoundland settings. Many note her unflinching portrayal of difficult lives and human struggle. Her short story "Brokeback Mountain" remains her most-discussed work. Readers praise: - Rich, detailed prose that captures regional dialects - Complex, flawed characters - Ability to compress entire lives into short stories - Raw emotional impact Common criticisms: - Dense, challenging writing style requires concentration - Bleak, depressing storylines - Too much focus on landscape description - Characters can feel distant and hard to connect with Average ratings: Goodreads: - The Shipping News: 3.9/5 (147k ratings) - Close Range: 4.0/5 (22k ratings) - Accordion Crimes: 3.7/5 (11k ratings) Amazon: - The Shipping News: 4.3/5 - Barkskins: 4.2/5 One reader noted: "Her writing demands work from the reader - it's not casual entertainment, but the effort pays off."

The Shipping News (1993) A newspaper reporter moves with his daughters to his ancestral home in Newfoundland after personal tragedy, where he confronts family secrets while working for the local paper.

Accordion Crimes (1996) This novel follows a single green accordion through eight decades and multiple owners as it passes through various immigrant communities in America.

Postcards (1992) A family saga spanning four decades about a Vermont farmer who flees his land after committing a crime and sends postcards home while wandering across America.

Barkskins (2016) A multi-generational epic tracking two families' connections to the North American timber industry from the 17th century to present day.

Close Range: Wyoming Stories (1999) A collection of short stories set in Wyoming, including the acclaimed "Brokeback Mountain," depicting harsh rural life and complex relationships.

Bad Dirt: Wyoming Stories 2 (2004) A second collection of Wyoming tales exploring the lives of ranchers, cowboys and rural inhabitants in the American West.

Fine Just the Way It Is: Wyoming Stories 3 (2008) The third collection of Wyoming stories examining the hardships and rare moments of grace in High Plains life.

Heart Songs and Other Stories (1988) A collection of short stories set in rural New England, depicting the lives of hunters, farmers, and working-class characters.

Cormac McCarthy writes about harsh rural landscapes and working-class characters in the American West and South, focusing on themes of violence and survival. His precise prose style and unflinching portrayals of difficult circumstances align with Proulx's approach to similar territory.

William Faulkner explores complex family relationships and the weight of history in rural settings, particularly the American South. His multi-generational narratives and attention to regional detail mirror Proulx's interest in how place shapes character.

Marilynne Robinson writes about isolated characters in rural American settings, examining their inner lives and relationships with their communities. Her work, like Proulx's, demonstrates deep attention to landscape and its effect on human experience.

Kent Haruf sets his stories in the rural high plains of Colorado, focusing on working-class characters and their everyday struggles. His plain-spoken style and focus on small-town life parallel Proulx's interest in regional American experiences.

Thomas Hardy writes about rural characters whose lives are shaped by their physical environment and social circumstances. His focus on landscape as a determining force in human lives and his unsentimental view of rural life share common ground with Proulx's approach.