findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
1.0
I desperately wanted to like this book. If I had picked it up on my own, I wouldn't have bothered to keep reading past the first 50 pages. But I picked this for the book discussion group at the store! I had to finish it! I kept looking at the stellar reviews here on goodreads, the ones that called it their all-time favorite, and I was wondering what book they read, because it couldn't be this one. It had moments of insight that I would highlight and flag and think, "Okay! Now it's going somewhere!" But it was fleeting, and then the rambling would begin again.
Usually when I read a book for this discussion group, even if I hate the book, there is at least one person who liked it and could give me an appreciation for things I may have missed. Not this time. It was universally despised.
Usually when I read a book for this discussion group, even if I hate the book, there is at least one person who liked it and could give me an appreciation for things I may have missed. Not this time. It was universally despised.
anniegroover's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
poachedeggs's review against another edition
4.0
DJD can make any esoteric subject profound and engaging: here, he has taken fishing, one of his passions, and woven a beautiful story about a young fisherman who, torn between his father's belief in the superiority of fly-fishing and his mother's practical inclination towards bait-fishing, moves out and lives alone along the river.
Musings on God, spirituality and love eventually follow, and Gus Orviston grows into his own in his little cabin.
The only reason why I didn't give this five stars is that I do see some of DJD's essay-speak seeping into the novel (and now begin to understand why he has not written much fiction). He has certain opinions that may need to be reined in when it comes to writing a story (and I think he acknowledges this somewhere in his foreword).
Musings on God, spirituality and love eventually follow, and Gus Orviston grows into his own in his little cabin.
The only reason why I didn't give this five stars is that I do see some of DJD's essay-speak seeping into the novel (and now begin to understand why he has not written much fiction). He has certain opinions that may need to be reined in when it comes to writing a story (and I think he acknowledges this somewhere in his foreword).
andrewschreck's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an odd one, parts of it I really didn't care for, but parts of it I loved. I listened to the Audiobook, so I know part of the dislike was for the voices and inflection in the readers voice. Overall, a good book about growing up, fishing, finding yourself and healthy mix of spirituality. I want to get a hard copy of this, and read it myself some day (as opposed to listening to it), I think I'll enjoy it more.
agingerg's review against another edition
2.0
I was loving this. Laugh out loud funny and I appreciate that it forced me into reading slowly. But it wandered away from my interests (especially upon meeting Titus) so I put it down.
kellieallen's review against another edition
5.0
Echoes of Thoreau, Edward Abbey, Annie Dillard, and Mary Oliver join Duncan’s own voice to create a stunningly gorgeous book. This existential quest for life’s meaning is hilarious, lyrical, poignant, lovely.
cjdawn236's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read. On the surface it's a book about fishing, but it actually digs a lot deeper than that with questions on "Why." The main character is searching for something more through the entire novel. The first half seemed a little slow, but once Gus started to learn, and change, and grow it became a lot more interesting and I didn't want to put it down. The events of this novel predate the Vietnam War (as the draft is just mentioned near the end) but it really felt timeless.
iamnader's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not sure how I’ve missed this book for the first 41 years of my life, and perhaps it is my recent affection for fishing, or that I’m currently in a very reflective place, but The River Why is now a top 5 all time book for me.
inquiry_from_an_anti_library's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Overview:
This is a book about a life devoted to fishing. An expert fisher from an early age. A fishing prodigy. A life devoted to just fishing, has consequences. For Gus has various problems because of this obsession to fish. It acts as an addiction. For everything else becomes sidelined, just to continue to fish.
Along the way, Gus provides contrasts and comparisons about fish and water, with the broader context of philosophy and faith. There is even a personal traumatic realization about what fishing means to the fish, to the river. For the river asks why. Forcing Gus to consider one’s actions. To find internal meaning and responsibility. The power of introspection can cause behavioral change.
Caveats?
The book can be difficult to read, as the topic transitions are poor and quick. Fishing is a central theme of the book. Readers who appreciate fishing will resonate more with the book.