The ocean twitched like a vast cloth spread over snakes. - Annie Proulx

It's kind of an old-fashioned book…It's long; it has a lot of characters; it takes a big theme. It isn't a navel-staring, dysfunctional-family thing that's so beloved of most American writers. It's different, but I think people probably miss those books that were written some time ago – the big book that was written with care.

Quoyle, who spoke little himself, inspired talkers. His only skill in the game of life

Quoyle, you got any maritime connections?' 'My grandfather was a sealer.' 'Jesus. You always come out at me out of left field.