Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday

About the Book

This is a political satire based around an idea to launch salmon fishing in the Yemen. 

What I Think 


The thing I really liked about this book was that it was written in various different ways, i.e. emails, memos, diary entries, etc. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think this made the book varied and interesting. 

I think it was quite an achievement to make a book about fishing, something I know nothing about, seem so compelling! Torday cleverly uses the subject of fishing as the main premise, but there are so many other factors that come into play: politics, working relationships, romantic relationships, fear of failure, which allows this narrative to constantly be moving forward. 

The film, directed by Lasse Hallström, is also worth watching. It has tried to keep the feel of the original, still using different methods of communication and correspondence. The acting is superb, with Kristen Scott Thomas stealing the show as the Prime Minister's strong-willed Press Secretary, Patricia Maxwell. Unfortunately, it has suffered slightly from the 'Hollywood syndrome' - if you read the book, then watch the film you'll know what I mean!

About the Author

Paul Torday (b. 1946) is a British writer who after having had a successful career as a businessman, turned to writing later in life. He published his first novel at the age of 59. This book, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, was inspired by his love of fly fishing and his interest in the Middle East. The book won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comic writing in 2007 and was serialised on BBC Radio 4. It also won the Waverton Goodread Award in 2008. 

Friday Flash Fiction - Week 14!

Changes

I had a dream last night that I was pregnant. And I was so happy. Then I woke up this morning and it was gone. 
But darling, it was just a dream. 
I know, I know, but I can’t shake the thought that I was pregnant. You know… last month. 
You probably weren’t. 
But we’ll never know, will we?
No, darling, we won’t. You know what Dr. Michael said: your body will go through changes. 
I know. 
Darling, we talked about children years ago and decided it wasn’t the right path for us. 
I know. 
We both had, have, successful careers that neither of us wanted to give up. 
I know. 
And now…
And now it’s too late.  

L. Besley

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Flash Fiction diary

This piece was ever so vaguely inspired by the relationship between Dr. Alfred Jones and his wife in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (the book, not the film) by Paul Torday. 

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Flash Fiction is short enough to read whilst you're waiting for the kettle to boil. It's fairly quick to write too, but with it being so short, every word has to count. 

On 4th May 2012 I decided to embark on a project: to write a piece of Flash Fiction every day. I'm hoping this will keep the creative juices flowing and ultimately help me hone my craft. Every Friday I'll be posting 'the best of the week' onto my blog for you to read. If you have anything to say (good or 'constructive'!), I'm open to comments.  

Thanks, as always, for reading.