The book is set in a small and rather rural place. Few of the characters have much education, and there is a
     rich religious activity, although mostly of a populistic, not orthodox nature. Different superstitions are an integrated
     part of life for the characters in the book.

     Below are some examples of the different types of superstitions in the book.
 
 

     Medical:

     On page 64, we find that the cure for sea boils is to cut your nails on a Monday. We also find that grief can cause
     Down's Syndrome (p114). Furthermore, on page 246 there is a story of a woman who removes the hair on her
     arms by having a local "charmer" write on a piece of paper that was then thrown in the fire and broken to pieces.
     Tert Card, for all his desire for a modern society and an oil-based economy uses knot charms against canker
     sores (p198).
 
 

     Supernatural powers:

     It is said (p138) that Jack Buggit has "got the gift". This is explained as an ability to "know" about people
     drowning or about to drown. He reportedly knew when his son Jesson died (p138) and that his son Dennis had
     not died, and indeed even where to find him (p97). Buggit also picks Quole out of he water on one of his hunches
     (p212-13) and we learn that he has saved many more. On page 134, the aunt suggests that Bunny is "sensitive in
     a way the rest of us aren't. Tuned in to things we don't get. There's people here like that."
 
 

    Magic:

     A central form of magic in the book, is the use of knots. Quoyle's old relative, uncle Nolan believes in the power
     of charms cast by knots. He tries to curse the Quoyles by putting knots in their car, house and boat. (There is a
     knot in the boat when it capsizes and Quoyle almost drowns) Nolan also believes the terrible storm that blows
     away the old house is conjured up by himself (p296 and p318). As mentioned there is also the instance of Tert
     Card using knots against canker sores (p198).
 
 

     Miscellaneous superstitions:

     * People used to say that a rock shaped as a dog would come to life and swim out and swallow shipwrecked
     sailors (p161).

     * On page 181 there is the mention of the belief that if you put a cat on a mat the person the cat first approaches
     will be the next to marry.

     * On page 200, it is said that there are ghosts around because the bulldozers have "pried up" the dead from the
     ground.

     * Dogs apparently judge people's hearts by their eyes and "people with glasses don't get on with dogs". This
     according to Mrs Buggit, Jacks wife (p214).

     * Quoyle's uncle Nolan claims to be a "jinker, carried bad winds with me". Apparently "none of the Quoyles 'ad
     no luck" (p.297).