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Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: An unassuming scientist takes an unbelievable adventure in the Middle East in this "extraordinary" novel�??the inspiration for the major motion picture starring Ewan McGregor (The Guardian). Dr. Alfred Jones lives a quiet, predictable life. He works as a civil servant for the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence in London; his wife, Mary, is a determined, no-nonsense financier; he has simple routines and unassuming ambitions. Then he meets Muhammad bin Zaidi bani Tihama, a Yemeni sheikh with money to spend and a fantastic�??and ludicrous�??dream of bringing the sport of salmon fishing to his home country. Suddenly, Dr. Jones is swept up in an outrageous plot to attempt the impossible, persuaded by both the sheikh himself and power-hungry members of the British government who want nothing more than to spend the sheikh's considerable wealth. But somewhere amid the bureaucratic spin and Yemeni tall tales, Dr. Jones finds himself thinking bigger, bolder, and more impossibly than he ever has before. Told through letters, emails, interview transcripts, newspaper articles, and personal journal entries, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is "a triumph" that both takes aim at institutional absurdity and gives loving support to the ideas of hopes, dreams, and accomplishing the impossible (The Guardian… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
Salmon fishing in Yemen? Impossible? One of the closing lines of this book is , "I believe in it because it is impossible." Paul Torday has written a lovely novel about transformation, faith, belief, and love. A Yemeni sheikh who loves salmon fishing proposes to bring the sport to his home country,
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and the relationship between himself and the fishery scientist whom he employs leads to transformation. The story unfolds as a collection of memos, letters, and e-mails and they reveal the role of politics, money, and personal ego in distorting and hiding the true meaning of the project. Torday is also able to make interesting observations about the nature of the differences between Yemenis and British society. I read this book during the course of a long, lovely day and hope that other readers will enjoy and appreciate it as I have. Show Less
LibraryThing member polutropos
Wonderful novel full of quiet charm, humour, and ultimately wisdom. An examination of the impossible, and the role of belief. Most highly recommended.
LibraryThing member CarolineTrevor
I find myself puzzled, upon finishing this book. How did I find a book about salmon fishing so enthralling and fascinating? I loved being transported from Scotland to the Yemen, with all of the political spin in between. Utterly intriguing. I am really hoping for a follow up on this book. I just
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can't get enough salmon fishing (via Paul Today's clever imagination). Show Less
LibraryThing member DubaiReader
Disappointing.
Living in the Middle East, I'd hoped to find more to enjoy in this book. Whilst the characters behaved quite believably, the newspaper style format detracted from the content and I found the ending quite a disappointment.
The rest of my book group, however, thought it was excellent and
Alfred Jones, fisheries scientist, is horrified at the request to export thousands of salmon to swim in the wadis of Yemen. Forced to go along with the plan, he immerses his whole being into the project, even starting to believe that it might be possible.
When British politics become involved and even the PM wants a look-in, things start to get out of hand. As Alfred's love life starts to spiral downwards and the Sheikh's absolute faith begins to thaw Alfred's cold heart, we start to see another side to his character.
For me this book was spoiled by the rambling memos between government departments and the dry records of parliamentary proceedings. In addition, the ending was a disappointing anticlimax. With a different ending and improved format, it could have been an excellent book.
An unusual choice for a Richard and Judy Summer read.
Living in the Middle East, I'd hoped to find more to enjoy in this book. Whilst the characters behaved quite believably, the newspaper style format detracted from the content and I found the ending quite a disappointment.
The rest of my book group, however, thought it was excellent and
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could imagine the exact same scenario here in Dubai!Alfred Jones, fisheries scientist, is horrified at the request to export thousands of salmon to swim in the wadis of Yemen. Forced to go along with the plan, he immerses his whole being into the project, even starting to believe that it might be possible.
When British politics become involved and even the PM wants a look-in, things start to get out of hand. As Alfred's love life starts to spiral downwards and the Sheikh's absolute faith begins to thaw Alfred's cold heart, we start to see another side to his character.
For me this book was spoiled by the rambling memos between government departments and the dry records of parliamentary proceedings. In addition, the ending was a disappointing anticlimax. With a different ending and improved format, it could have been an excellent book.
An unusual choice for a Richard and Judy Summer read.
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LibraryThing member herschelian
If prizes were handed out for the most unusual book-titles of the year, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday would certainly be on the short list. This is a book you may well have seen piled up in bookstores over the past twelve months as it was one of the Richard & Judy bookclub Summer Reads
This last fortnight I have been laid low with a horrendous flu-like virus which seems to have been doing the rounds, and a friend dropped a copy of SFinTY round to distract me and stop me feeling so sorry for myself! It was the perfect tonic, and I am so glad it did not pass me by.
Dr Alfred Jones is a fisheries scientist employed by a government department. He is married, without children, to a very bossy, high-handed woman who earns more than he does and patronises him in every possible way. Out of the blue, Dr Jones is approached to do a feasibility study for a project to create a salmon river in the Yemen, something he initially dismisses out of hand as a completely daft idea. However, the scheme has come to the notice of various politicians who want the project to go ahead for a variety of self-serving political reasons. Dr Jones ends up being forced to take on the scheme, and to try to figure out hour to get 10,000 salmon out to the Yemen, and how to get water in a Yemeni wadi to meet the conditions necessary for their survival.
The whole crazy plan changes Dr Jones in more ways than he could have envisaged and the reader becomes as anxious as he does that the scheme should succeed.
The book is written as a series of letters, emails, diary entries and answers to a Parliamentary Inquiry, and apart from telling a hilarious tale, satirises the bureaucratic nonsense that often passes for governance in Britain today, and the horrible culture of “spin” which has been adopted by our politicians.
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for 2007. I admit I had seen it but for some reason was never pulled towards it.This last fortnight I have been laid low with a horrendous flu-like virus which seems to have been doing the rounds, and a friend dropped a copy of SFinTY round to distract me and stop me feeling so sorry for myself! It was the perfect tonic, and I am so glad it did not pass me by.
Dr Alfred Jones is a fisheries scientist employed by a government department. He is married, without children, to a very bossy, high-handed woman who earns more than he does and patronises him in every possible way. Out of the blue, Dr Jones is approached to do a feasibility study for a project to create a salmon river in the Yemen, something he initially dismisses out of hand as a completely daft idea. However, the scheme has come to the notice of various politicians who want the project to go ahead for a variety of self-serving political reasons. Dr Jones ends up being forced to take on the scheme, and to try to figure out hour to get 10,000 salmon out to the Yemen, and how to get water in a Yemeni wadi to meet the conditions necessary for their survival.
The whole crazy plan changes Dr Jones in more ways than he could have envisaged and the reader becomes as anxious as he does that the scheme should succeed.
The book is written as a series of letters, emails, diary entries and answers to a Parliamentary Inquiry, and apart from telling a hilarious tale, satirises the bureaucratic nonsense that often passes for governance in Britain today, and the horrible culture of “spin” which has been adopted by our politicians.
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LibraryThing member Daveg0906
A very enjoyable read. Read it in only 2 days whilst on holiday recently. It's an easy going political satire that probably says more about the politics in this country than fishing! Worth reading.
LibraryThing member Mumineurope
Loved it! Fred, Harriet, Sheik. Beautiful. Did not want it to end.
LibraryThing member tronella
Meh, I didn't especially care about this. It's about this fisheries scientist who gets talked into working on a seemingly impossible project for political reasons, told through diary entries, newspaper cuttings and interview transcripts. An interesting idea, but none of the characters had any
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personality, and the ridiculously stereotyped characterisation of the protagonist ranged from offensive to unoriginal depending how angry I felt at the time. Show Less
LibraryThing member hugh_ashton
I'm somewhat in awe of authors who can write in the first person and make their character ridiculous or stupid or evil without the character themselves being aware of their shortcomings. Torday does this several times in this book, with at least three different characters, and comes up with a
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seemingly far-fetched tale that is all too reminiscent of real-life political machinations. Some wonderful characters and an ear for language make the plot come alive. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tangle99
Very funny. Reminded me a lot of Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, with an innocent protagonist wrenched from a comfortable and dull life into the wider and more dangerous world. Sharp, witty and recommended.
LibraryThing member KarenDuff
Beautifully written and heartwarming, this book grabbbed me from the first page I couldn't put it down. The way it is written in the form of emails, diary entries, memos and interviews works very well, in other hands this could have come across a gimmicky and detracted from the story.
I know a lot
I know a lot
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of people will be put off by the title but they would be missing out on a very good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member verenka
Just finished the book in my lunch break. It's different from what I expected and though I warmed to Dr. Alfred Jones towards the end, it was not my kind of book.
I ususally like books that are made up of articles, emails, letters, interviews etc. but in this book I thought that didn't work. I can
In the end, even though the characters grew on me, the story just didn't grab me. This isn't surprising, since I don't consider myself spiritual.
I ususally like books that are made up of articles, emails, letters, interviews etc. but in this book I thought that didn't work. I can
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understand that a media advisor for the prime minister is cynical and I can understand that some people are naive. But I don't understand Peter Maxwell's combination of cynicism and naiveté and felt it wasn't credible at all. Also the interviews throughout the book by some investigaton commission just didn't work stylewise. The way people talked in the interviews didn't sound human at all. A more conventional method of storytelling would have worked better.In the end, even though the characters grew on me, the story just didn't grab me. This isn't surprising, since I don't consider myself spiritual.
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LibraryThing member lisalouhoo
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
The books begins with Dr. Alfred, a very dedicated and staid scientist who works for the NCFE
(national center for fishery exelence) and 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?
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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) and 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?
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LibraryThing member essexgirl
So-so. The office politics and the spin doctor rang several bells. But it did not gel as a whole. I liked the structure, but could not care a whit about any of the characters.
LibraryThing member littererchewer
This was entertaining but I don't really understand why the Guardian reviewer called it 'extraordinary' or 'a triumph'. It's just a bit of fun really. It will only take you a few hours to read. Much of it is pretty daft, especially the character of the scientist's wife. The satire on offer is all
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quite obvious stuff, though Torday does nail the language of New Labour quite nicely. A film of the book will probably be made in due course (starring Bill Nighy perhaps?) and reviewers will call it a 'charming, quirky Brit flick'. Show Less
LibraryThing member LynnB
This is the story of Dr. Alfred Jones, fisheries scientist at the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence. Dr. Jones gets drawn into a Yemini sheik's scheme to introduce salmon fishing into his home country.
Along the way, we get to know Dr. Jones, his distant wife Mary, and his co-worker on the
It's a wonderfully funny book, espcially early on. Anyone familiar with bureaucracy and politics will appreciate the wit and satire of the story. Unfortunately, the book gets less interesting as it goes on; the ending is somewhat weak. It's like the author didn't quite know how to wrap it up -- maybe because so few things in politics actually "end" in any concrete manner.
Along the way, we get to know Dr. Jones, his distant wife Mary, and his co-worker on the
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Salmon Project, Harriet Chetwode-Talbot. And, we watch Dr. Jones get drawn into the world of middle east politics, spin doctoring and stretching the boundaries of science.It's a wonderfully funny book, espcially early on. Anyone familiar with bureaucracy and politics will appreciate the wit and satire of the story. Unfortunately, the book gets less interesting as it goes on; the ending is somewhat weak. It's like the author didn't quite know how to wrap it up -- maybe because so few things in politics actually "end" in any concrete manner.
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LibraryThing member breic2
The ridiculous story of an English fisheries scientist hired by a wealthy sheikh to introduce salmon into a seasonal waterway in Yemen. Of course not everything goes as planned…
Not an insightful satire. The characters are almost dead, and the tedious method of exposition---trying to shoehorn the
Not an insightful satire. The characters are almost dead, and the tedious method of exposition---trying to shoehorn the
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story into interview transcripts, diary entries and letters---makes it that much more stilted. It doesn't get better at the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member wendyrey
A political satire and a modern epistolary novel (if that is the right word). The ' letters' are emails, Hansard , diary entries and interview transcripts. It all really works quite well and is put together nicely.
Entertaining and funny.
Entertaining and funny.
LibraryThing member judithann
Great book, especially if you're scientifically minded. The process of concept to realisation of an idea is described really well. The book consists of different types of text, such as emails, journal notes and interviews. A minor point of complaint: the interviews were not very realistic since the
The book deals with the ideas of a sheik from Yemen who wants to create a river full of salmon in his native land, where he and his fellow countrymen (and tourists) can come to fish. Alfred Jones, a fishing scientist, is at first dismissive of the idea, but departmental and even national politics force him to take on the project. The book describes the process. It's a fun and easy read.
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characters spoke in the type of language that you normally only would get when written. The book deals with the ideas of a sheik from Yemen who wants to create a river full of salmon in his native land, where he and his fellow countrymen (and tourists) can come to fish. Alfred Jones, a fishing scientist, is at first dismissive of the idea, but departmental and even national politics force him to take on the project. The book describes the process. It's a fun and easy read.
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LibraryThing member flyfishertc
When Dr Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist, is asked by a wealthy Yemeni sheikh to introduce salmon into the highlands of the Yemen, he scoffs at the absurdity of the idea. We do too. But somehow, once planted this seed of an idea starts to take hold.
What makes this gem of a book work is that the
Torday , a keen River Tyne salmon angler himself, weaves his story around his undoubted in depth knowledge of wild salmon. Whether he is describing the physical geography of Yemeni wadis, poking fun at the machinations of the Civil Service, exposing the farce of political spin or commiserating with the death throes of a failing marriage, Torday keeps a light touch throughout and keeps the reader engaged.
A book for romantics (like me)!
What makes this gem of a book work is that the
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reader starts to will the success of the project, irrespective of how ridiculous the venture.Torday , a keen River Tyne salmon angler himself, weaves his story around his undoubted in depth knowledge of wild salmon. Whether he is describing the physical geography of Yemeni wadis, poking fun at the machinations of the Civil Service, exposing the farce of political spin or commiserating with the death throes of a failing marriage, Torday keeps a light touch throughout and keeps the reader engaged.
A book for romantics (like me)!
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LibraryThing member baswood
This is a light fast enjoyable read. A satire that targets: politicians, government departments, career men and women, Al-Queda and rich Sheiks. About the only thing it does not satirise are the salmon and the people who fish for them.
In a satire ; vices, foibles, abuses and short comings are held
Alfred Jones a scientist working in the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is asked for a feasibility study on introducing salmon and salmon fishing into the Yemen. He correctly points out that such a project would be laughable; there are no suitable rivers, the climate is too hot for the fish and they would not be able to reach their breeding grounds in the North Atlantic. Poor Alfred is blissfully unaware that a powerful Sheikh will bankroll such a project and the British Government desperate for a good news story in the Middle East see it as a vote winner. Alfred is made to change his mind and his scientific pride leads him to involve himself fully in the impossible project. He is spurred on by the charismatic Sheik and his crush on Harriet who works for the company that represents the Sheik's interest. What happens when a crazy project is fueled by enough money and the political will? It succeeds of course.
The story is told in a series of diary entries, correspondence, e mails, interviews by a parliamentary subcommittee, an unpublished novel and extracts from Hansard. Torday is skillful enough to weave these disparate elements into a very readable narrative format. Torday has a lightness of touch about everything he writes here and never loses sight of his story or his need to make the reader smile.
The novel succeeds for me because there is very little exaggeration in the workings of a government department. I kept thinking I have seen these sorts of things happen or worse. Almost everything else has a ring of credibility about it. Tordays most savage satire is reserved for Peter Maxwell who is a Director of Communications (spin doctor) and works closely with the Prime Minister. This characteris probably based on Alastair Campbell and his work with Tony Blair. One scene stands out particularly for me. Maxwell desperate for a good news story to offset the casualties being reported from Iraq has an idea for a new TV game show. It will be set in one of the villages partially destroyed by rocket and mortar fire and will feature actual villagers as contestants, who will stand to win glamorous prizes. He presents this idea to the usual Friday evening get together of the PM and his cabinet cronies who are sipping wine. After the presentation one of the members remarks "Peter you ought to get out more". Maxwell is close to tears he can't believe that his brilliant idea has been given such short shrift. Torday I think has been cever hear, he finally presents a scenario that is ridiculous and has his characters reject it out of hand. This leads the reader to think that all the other stuff that has gone before could well happen in real life.
This is a funny humorous book, but the sting in the tail for me is that so much of it could and probably does happen and we all blithely have to accept it. This novel should be read by all government workers, lets just hope you don't see yourselves here
In a satire ; vices, foibles, abuses and short comings are held
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up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals and society itself into improvement. How effective or sharp this is depends on the nature of the satire. One that uses scorn, outrage and savage ridicule is more likely to grab our attention than one based on exaggeration, folly and irony. Torday's satire is of the latter variety, it is mild and gently humorous. As I was reading It became difficult at times to separate the satire from actuality, which certainly gave me pause to think.Alfred Jones a scientist working in the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is asked for a feasibility study on introducing salmon and salmon fishing into the Yemen. He correctly points out that such a project would be laughable; there are no suitable rivers, the climate is too hot for the fish and they would not be able to reach their breeding grounds in the North Atlantic. Poor Alfred is blissfully unaware that a powerful Sheikh will bankroll such a project and the British Government desperate for a good news story in the Middle East see it as a vote winner. Alfred is made to change his mind and his scientific pride leads him to involve himself fully in the impossible project. He is spurred on by the charismatic Sheik and his crush on Harriet who works for the company that represents the Sheik's interest. What happens when a crazy project is fueled by enough money and the political will? It succeeds of course.
The story is told in a series of diary entries, correspondence, e mails, interviews by a parliamentary subcommittee, an unpublished novel and extracts from Hansard. Torday is skillful enough to weave these disparate elements into a very readable narrative format. Torday has a lightness of touch about everything he writes here and never loses sight of his story or his need to make the reader smile.
The novel succeeds for me because there is very little exaggeration in the workings of a government department. I kept thinking I have seen these sorts of things happen or worse. Almost everything else has a ring of credibility about it. Tordays most savage satire is reserved for Peter Maxwell who is a Director of Communications (spin doctor) and works closely with the Prime Minister. This characteris probably based on Alastair Campbell and his work with Tony Blair. One scene stands out particularly for me. Maxwell desperate for a good news story to offset the casualties being reported from Iraq has an idea for a new TV game show. It will be set in one of the villages partially destroyed by rocket and mortar fire and will feature actual villagers as contestants, who will stand to win glamorous prizes. He presents this idea to the usual Friday evening get together of the PM and his cabinet cronies who are sipping wine. After the presentation one of the members remarks "Peter you ought to get out more". Maxwell is close to tears he can't believe that his brilliant idea has been given such short shrift. Torday I think has been cever hear, he finally presents a scenario that is ridiculous and has his characters reject it out of hand. This leads the reader to think that all the other stuff that has gone before could well happen in real life.
This is a funny humorous book, but the sting in the tail for me is that so much of it could and probably does happen and we all blithely have to accept it. This novel should be read by all government workers, lets just hope you don't see yourselves here
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LibraryThing member readingwithtea
“Faith is the cure that heals all troubles. Without faith there is no hope and no love. Faith comes before hope, and before love.”
Dr Alfred Jones, fisheries specialist, is outraged when he is forced to seriously consider the feasibility of a crack-pot scheme to introduce salmon fishing to the
This audiobook kept me thoroughly entertained for much of January, and it’s a shame I’m only writing about it now. I absolutely loved it… until the last half hour, but we’ll get back to that.
Dr Jones is spectacular. He’s highly intelligent, a little baffled by social norms, but underneath it all a general good egg and capable of great passion for his chosen subject. Harriet is lovely and strong and fragile and generally like so many City women I know, being terribly successful but hiding something a bit darker. The Sheikh was a fascinating character – seemingly omniscient and ever-patient, but sympathetic and the source of many quotes (including the one at the top of this review). As for Mary Jones – she’s a witch! But I can’t pretend I don’t see a tiny bit of myself in her: to her it’s all planned out and the silly man is just ruining it all by not following the plan!
The plot is wonderful. The political nonsense that goes on is wonderful – while the novel is ostensibly about salmon fishing and optimism and tolerance and all sorts of other lovely things with ribbons on, the satire is biting and very, very funny. The dynamic between the three leads is beautiful and fragile and develops so slowly that it is really quite suspenseful.
I was disappointed by the end – it suddenly explained why the book was written in “evidence” form (emails, interviews, minutes of Government meetings), but it felt rushed and unnecessarily tragic. Bathetic, if you will.
There were some gorgeous touches to the writing which really came out beautifully in audio:
- the righteous indignation of the local newspaper when one of their stories is picked up by a bigger paper and derided as a hoax
- the interview with Andrew Marr, political commentator extraordinaire, and the garbage that falls out of Peter Maxwell’s self-aggrandising face
I cannot believe (a) they’re making a movie of this book (b) that it stars Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristen Scott Thomas are going to be in it (c) that Ewan McGregor is actually going to keep his Scottish accent in this film for once. It’s like all my Christmases have come at once. I will be there in the first week.
Dr Alfred Jones, fisheries specialist, is outraged when he is forced to seriously consider the feasibility of a crack-pot scheme to introduce salmon fishing to the
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Yemen. Ms. Harriet Chetwoood-Talbot, consultant to Sheikh Muhammad, is most persuasive that it might just be possible – and it might. Dr Jones finds himself on the Sheikh’s payroll implementing the idea… and gets a bit more interest from political players than he would really like – and more hostility from his wife than he perhaps deserves…This audiobook kept me thoroughly entertained for much of January, and it’s a shame I’m only writing about it now. I absolutely loved it… until the last half hour, but we’ll get back to that.
Dr Jones is spectacular. He’s highly intelligent, a little baffled by social norms, but underneath it all a general good egg and capable of great passion for his chosen subject. Harriet is lovely and strong and fragile and generally like so many City women I know, being terribly successful but hiding something a bit darker. The Sheikh was a fascinating character – seemingly omniscient and ever-patient, but sympathetic and the source of many quotes (including the one at the top of this review). As for Mary Jones – she’s a witch! But I can’t pretend I don’t see a tiny bit of myself in her: to her it’s all planned out and the silly man is just ruining it all by not following the plan!
The plot is wonderful. The political nonsense that goes on is wonderful – while the novel is ostensibly about salmon fishing and optimism and tolerance and all sorts of other lovely things with ribbons on, the satire is biting and very, very funny. The dynamic between the three leads is beautiful and fragile and develops so slowly that it is really quite suspenseful.
I was disappointed by the end – it suddenly explained why the book was written in “evidence” form (emails, interviews, minutes of Government meetings), but it felt rushed and unnecessarily tragic. Bathetic, if you will.
There were some gorgeous touches to the writing which really came out beautifully in audio:
- the righteous indignation of the local newspaper when one of their stories is picked up by a bigger paper and derided as a hoax
- the interview with Andrew Marr, political commentator extraordinaire, and the garbage that falls out of Peter Maxwell’s self-aggrandising face
I cannot believe (a) they’re making a movie of this book (b) that it stars Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristen Scott Thomas are going to be in it (c) that Ewan McGregor is actually going to keep his Scottish accent in this film for once. It’s like all my Christmases have come at once. I will be there in the first week.
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LibraryThing member lorraineh
For anyone who works in a multinational large company, this book is for you! i absolutely loved it - it made me laugh out load. It will remind you of all the crazy ways your company works.
The book is about a fish specialist who ends up putting in salmon into the yemen. But what it is really about
Hilarious
Its not serious, it doesnt try to be pretentious, its just a good read. A definite holiday novel.
The book is about a fish specialist who ends up putting in salmon into the yemen. But what it is really about
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is how mad corporate and political worlds are and how they get so out of control.Hilarious
Its not serious, it doesnt try to be pretentious, its just a good read. A definite holiday novel.
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LibraryThing member red.yardbird
Some of the sequences where email goes up and down the management / government chain are scarily accurate! Laughed out loud once or twice. Good fun. [Jun-07:]
LibraryThing member KerryRaymond
At a time when many novels seem to just rehash old storylines, I am really attracted to a fresh new idea. How does an author come up with an idea like salmon fishing in the Yemen and go such a brilliant job of interconnecting it with other contemporary themes? It has been described as a comic
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novel, but I would disagree. It's not a "laugh out loud" novel, more of a "dry" humour (befitting a story about the Yemen, I guess) Show Less
Awards
British Book Award (Shortlist — Newcomer — 2008)
Waverton Good Read Award (Winner — 2007)
Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction (Winner — 2007)
Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (Shortlist — 2007)