Salmon Fishing in the Yemen [Paperback]

On the surface a light-hearted comedy, but beneath the superficialities lurk darker themes.

Dr Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist, is low down the pecking order of a civil service office where bullying is the norm. Furthermore, he can no longer avoid the painful truth that his wife cares more about her career and bank balance than she does about him.

When he is instructed to assist in introducing salmon to the Yemen, a scheme which appears doomed to failure, it feels to Fred like one more burden, heavier than most. But as things progress, he learns about faith, overcoming obstacles, and love.

The story is told in a series of emails, diary entries, and interview transcripts. Torday has mastered this deceptively simple method, it adds immediacy, and results in a lightness of touch and to-the-point style reminiscent of (but so much better than) Bridget Jones's diary.

In his protrait of our leaders, the irony tips over into cynicism, (accurately reflecting public opinion I would say). The prime minister is somewhat delusional, neither bright enough nor sufficiently honest with himself to recognise the limits to his power. His director of communications is even worse. No means are too vile to justify the end of furthering his boss's reign.

Although there is a certain flippant tone to the whole book, (the Jihadis are particularly clichéd), Torday's depiction of traditional Arab and Islamic culture is very respectful.

A good summer read, unexpectedly rewarding.

The content of this story holds so much promise: faith, politics, love and life yet the style of writing is just too dull. I kept hoping that the style was just introductory and it would start to flow, but for me it never quite warmed up! Great material, and whilst the concept of writing this through a series of diary entries, memoires, interrogation and letters offers the author the ability to give insights into the characters, it prevents any real atmosphere to develop.

The Fisherman's chant
Rod/reel,Flask/creel, Net/fly book/, And lunch!

"Here, in Yemen as well as lairds and castles, we have mists and glens, kilts, dirks and the odd feud or two. But unlike in Scotland the rain is considerate, coming at known seasons and times of day. It is also somewhat sparing, and there are no natural lochs or permanent rivers, and certainly no salmon (except smoked, on HBM ambassador's canapes). So Paul Torday's debut novel is about an impossibility. It is also about belief in the impossible, and belief itself. And the remarkable thing is that a book about so deeply serious a matter can make you laugh, all the way to a last twist that's as sudden and shocking as a barbed hook"
Tim MacIntosh-Smith

The road from Impossibility to Belief can be a long one. Jay Vent, the British prime minister, has his country in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and dug himself in a deep hole. And, he goes on digging. The Prime Minister's PR person hears that a wealthy Yemeni sheikh, is planning to introduce salmon to his land, and he spots a perfect photo opportunity, front page stuff. The sheik's plan has to be made to work. The initial proposal was drafted by Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, the sheik's land agent, who is polite and promises "no unreasonable financial constraints". The responsibility for the success falls on the shoulders of Dr. Alfred Jones, fisheries scientist. He is also a husband of Mary, a high roller in international banking who observes the world in very practical terms. They have lived a "calm and settled relationship" between "two rational and career-minded people." Alfred Jones, of course, points out that the project will be a hugely expensive flop. The sheik's belief is an allegory for the journey towards God. His wish to share the joys of fishing - with his own people may be an 'almost divine form of madness"; but the madness is cathcing. As the story unfolds in a morass of emails, letters and diary entries, the sheikh begins to work a spell. Under this influence Alfred Jones is converted to the possibility of the impossible. He is forced into the project and interacts with Harriet and the Sheikh, something amazing happens. Alfred devises solutions, and his anxieties give way to a sense of excitement. He also begins to fall in love with Harriet. This is a wonderful, enjoyable read with many fairy tale elements but a staggering ending.

As with all good satire, there is tragedy, a story of love and loss and another of love that never was. The author must have had a wonderful time lampooning the world of Tony Blair and his government. The parable of belief and its power is also introduced. I like to fly fish and the wonderful feeling of peace and togetherness with the world is indeed a part of the belief in the impossible. The lessons learned in the novel are ours to discuss and share. Along the way, we laugh a lot and we smile at the pompous Peter Maxwell of the Prime Minister's office.

"Fishing encompasses everything from the science of salmon spawning to the war in Iraq. But all these elements merely give structure to the story: a lovely musing on how risking it all - however much it may be perceived as foolish or ridiculous, can bring hope and faith and love to the most bleak of outlooks, and can render the most ordinary chap - if only briefly" DANEET STEFFENS

An extraordinary novel that surprises in its simplicity. Akin to the novel 'A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine' by Marina Lewycka.

Highly Recommended, prisrob 08-23-07