About the Book:

Norman Maclean’s memories about growing up in Montana revolve around mighty trout rivers and the four-count rhythm of fly fishing. It is the one activity where his family can bridge troubled relationships, where brother can connect with brother and father with son. And in the end, it is the river that makes them realize that life continues and all things are related. The strong reading of Ivan Doig, Montana native and author of This House of Sky, adds much flavor to this tender, often very funny, and beautiful story about love and loss. A tale not to be missed and to be revisited frequently.

Book Review:  ★★★★★★

This is not normally my first choice of reading material.  Yes, I grew up in the Rocky Mountains — However, I have never been to Montana, I know nothing about fishing, and I am really not much of an outdoor person.  But, since school is not about reading what one would choose to read, so much as learning to read what is assigned to read, and discovering the significance of all types of books — this one made it to my reading list this year.  And surprisingly I found this book to be an interesting one, once I got into it.

Granted, I missed much of the technical presentation of the fishing, and the specific requirements for knowing how to identify the appropriate type of fishing hole, type of fly to be used, and the importance of the construction of the rod.  But I wouldn’t count this a wasted experience by any means.  The underlying story has a great deal in it that is worth the effort, and it is a powerful statement on family, and the difficulties of family relations.  The struggles which the author presents between himself, and his brother Paul are much more realistically portrayed than in many of the books I have read.  It explores the realms of not the events and common backgrounds which tie two brothers together, but rather the differences that bind them, while at the same time keeping them strangers to each other.  This book brings home the true question of any relationship, no matter how intimate, or how strong — “can we ever truly KNOW someone?”  Even those in our lives that have shared the most with us — the common parents, growing up experiences, and the bond of family — there will always be something of each individual which will keep them separate, and unknown.

This book also provides an elegant presentation of the difficulties that exist in trying to help someone, who finds themselves in trouble.  How much can any one person do in the assistance of another?  And, in the end — is it possible to help someone at all?  These are problems that loved ones and family members will always have to deal with when confronting addiction, alcoholism, gambling, and all kinds of other vices, in someone close to them.  And, as Mr. Maclean so eloquently puts it in the end, “It is those we live with and love and should know who elude us.”

This is also a great book for both imagery and symbolism.  The river, the rods, the religion, and ultimately each of the relationships speak volumes, which in turn adds both depth and perspective to this short book.  Mr. Maclean is gifted in his writing and has a real gift for description.  Settings are by far his strength — but there is a lot in this book that is worth the read.

Tags: Biography, Family, Fishing, Fly Fishing, History, Literature, Loss, Love, Memory, Montana, Morality, Non-Fiction, Siblings

Category: Biography/Autobiography, Classics, History, Non-Fiction