posted on Nov 19
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Candid but ultimately lackluster, Plumber’s memoir recounts how fly-fishing gave him solace and purpose while he worked his way through the death of his estranged father, a divorce, an increasingly distant relationship with his own son and a waning passion for his job as an editor at People magazine. Plumber (Holy Goof; Buttercups and Strong Boys) discovers his father’s fishing diary after his death and uses it as a guide to the sport, in hopes of gaining insight into the recalcitrant man with whom he shared so little. As with the other problematic areas in his life, Plumber initially hits more than a few snags. With time, though, he achieves increasing success, and eventually trout fishing opens the way for him to enter a new romantic relationship and share a few revealing moments with his son. Though Plumber doesn’t overplay the sentimentality, the book suffers from his reluctance to delve deeply into its more complex issues. Instead, he routinely quotes authors such as Thoreau and Hemingway, a practice that can get tiresome. Nonetheless, many readers may sympathize with Plumber’s struggle and the honesty of his tale, especially those who have spent their own afternoons working their troubles out on a stretch of river. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
A deeply moving story, told with wit and drama, finally triumphant; and everywhere it records an obsessive’s love of fly-fishing. — Nick Lyons, author of My Secret Fishing Life
A stylish and companionable primer on fly-fishing, fathering, wooing women….disturbing and raw and I couldn’t quit reading it. — Richard Ford, author of Independence Day
A warm, heartfelt book that will change forever the way you feel about fishing and fathers. — James McBride, author of The Color of Water
Many readers may sympathize with Plumber’s struggle and the honesty of his tale. — Publishers Weekly
Related
Tags: humor | india | italy | local food | meditation | memoir | spirituality | transcendentalism | travel | yoga
Leave a Reply