BOOK Salmon
Fishing in the Yemen
Author Paul
Torday
Many
people will have seen the recent film of this book but those in the
book group who had done so found the book very different. So it may
be worth reading it even if you think you know the story!
The
plot centres on a staid but contented fisheries’ scientist in the
Civil Service as he rises to the challenge of introducing salmon
fishing to the arid highlands of the Yemen. Through the project and
his contact with the Sheikh whose dream it is he discovers the power
of faith. On this journey he also discovers the true nature of his
childless but apparently satisfactory marriage and his own capacity
for love (albeit unrequited).
As
the project progresses Dr Jones, the Fisheries expert, has numerous
encounters with an assortment of Government officials and members of
the establishment. Many of these characters are drawn in a gently
amusing and ironic way and I certainly found myself frequently
smiling at the author’s way with words.
The
book’s construction is unusual, consisting of extracts from what is
clearly an official inquiry. However, as the exact subject of the
inquiry is never obvious it allows the ending of the story to come as
a complete surprise!
The
group’s score for this book? An 8 out of ten, so why not put it on
your book list?
