Monday, June 25, 2007

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

by Paul Torday

Rating: 5/5
Grade: B - 14 and up





This book was thouroughly engrossing. It caught my eye in the new book section in the library. What a hilarious title! I was afraid that it wouldn't actually live up to the title, that it would either be rather dull, or rather crude in humor. A resounding no to those worries. The book was very witty, funny in that delightful British way, and with events unfolding to pull you quickly through the book, waiting in delighted anticipation to figure out what is going on.

The books begins with Dr. Alfred, a very dedicated and staid scientist who works for the NCFE
(national center for fishery exelence) is requested to head a project funded by a Yemeni Sheik to introduce Salmon into a wadi in the Yemen. He refused, as he says the idea is unfesable, but is strong armed into it by government pressure. Amazing things happen as the faith of the sheik changes those around him, especially Dr. Alfred.

The book was written entirely in diary entries, e-mails, memo's, interveiws, and notes from the house of commons. Not the usual novel style, which helped to make it such a remarkable work.

I will be anxiously awaiting further work by the author. An amazing first novel.

The book left me with just one question: is there really a NCFE in the UK?

1 comments:

Anonymous,  July 18, 2007 at 10:05 AM  

That's a great cover and title!

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