Book Review - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday

This book took me ages to finish because I was slack, not because it wasn't a good book. Let me break it down a bit...

Plot

  The story is I suppose centered around Dr. Alfred Jones, a Fisheries Scientist from England. Through a series of events he ends up working on a ridiculous project to introduce salmon for fishing to a river in Yemen. The story is told from a few different perspectives and people, in the form of diary entries, letter correspondence  email correspondence and interviews. 

  Although the story centers around the salmon, the true story is how the project affects the lives of the characters, and how they change and evolve. 

  The story is set in the UK, Scotland and Yemen. Although Dr. Jones in the key story-teller, I feel that the main character and catalyst for the story was the Sheikh who initiates and plans the project. The story isn't some religious tale, but there are questions asked about belief and and love. 

Character Development

  I would have loved to have actually heard things from the Sheikh's perspective. He was like this... mystical character that was never properly explored but you got a feel of him through the opinions of other characters. Which I guess is exactly how the author wanted it. One Character I didn't like was Peter Maxwell, who was an adviser to the English Prime Minister. He was a weak and annoying character in my opinion. 

  

  I would also loved to have seen what happened like, 5 years after the book finished. Just to see where everyone ended up. I didn't get enough closer, and I think it was because the characters were actually still evolving at the completion of the story. Certain people you never hear from again. 

  Harriet's character slid downhill dramatically. I didn't like that... I am a fickle person, because I hate predictable endings but at the same time I always enjoy a happy ever after. I think that's another reason why I felt the story unfinished and needed a "last chapter" to give all characters the happy ending (a non-sexual ending I mean). 

As a text...

  Look, I wouldn't use it for ESL. The fact that it jumps from character to character, and from one method of delivery to another, I don't feel it would be appropriate. Obvs this depends on what type of student you have - it could potentially be perfect for an upper high school kid you are tutoring or whatever. But I think it could be potentially a bit challenging  The language in it was decidedly British, and had many references to England. In saying that I had no trouble following even though There were lots of "transcripts" from the House of Commons and things like that which I have no idea about. 

  

  There was no swearing that I can remember, or anything inappropriate. There was one intimate scene that was tactfully mentioned, but on the whole nothing sexy or rude. It was relevant to the story without taking away from it. 

  I didn't really like the different medias. I think it should have been all journal, or a;; interviews, or all newspaper articles or whatever. I had a little trouble following timelines, but this seems to be the standard for me when I am reading books with multiple character (where the hell where Aragon and Legolas while Sam and Frodo were in Mordor? Where they in Rohan or Gondor? I have no idea). Still, it was well done. I guess I will need to hear someone else's opinion to see if it was me or the book. 

On the whole

  On the whole I really enjoyed the book. All of the books I have read this last few months have been different from each other and different from what I usually read. It made me think a little, but not too much. I think personally this type of story I prefer to have a bit more resonance with it... Like, I feel that the ultimate underlying message and theme was to have more faith. But I didn't come away from it thinking "wow, I need more faith myself, look what they achieved in the story". Maybe the book isn't supposed to do that.

  

  It has been made into a movie, I think with George Clooney, so over the weekend I will download it and watch it and see how they compare. If George is Alfred Jones (which I assume he will be) I will be a bit disappointed, because I imagined Alfred to be not very good looking and we all know George Clooney is a silver fox. 

  So yes, I liked the book, and I would tell other people to read it. There wasn't really anything I disliked about it, although I would have changed the ending. I'll not tell you what happened in case you a) haven't read the book or b) haven't seen the film. If you haven't done either of these things then I think you should. 

Now Jess, I will return the book to you at some point. Over toast perhaps?

In other news...

  The school Principal was a jerk to me earlier today. I said hello and did a super low bow and he glanced at me then pretended I wasn't there. So I have decided that he is a racist. Another cross in the Songshin box.

Yes, I am probably going to do a second year here. Sorry to people at home who have to find out this way but there you go. I love life here too much and I just don't want to come home yet. But, I will be coming home for Christmas and New Year so please get ready Melbourne. I want an EPIC New Year, doing something fun and getting hammered. 

  I haven't decided if I want to stay around here or move closer to the city, but I guess all that depends on what is happening school/budget/job wise over the next few months. I will get back in contact with my recruiter at some point and see what the options are. 

  Guys, again, I am not worried about North Korea. I mean, I am worried about issues that are fermenting in that whole region, but I am not worried about an invasion. I trust that both the ROK and US will look after the whole situation and keep everyone in South Korea safe. I know some of you are worried (Mum, I am talking mainly to you here) about what I would do in an emergency... The Australian Embassy knows I am here and I am sure they will contact me. I have given Smart Traveller my updated details so they can also locate me. If I was evacuated Jess will look after Milky, and we will make Sangwon promise not to eat him. And then when everything settles down either go back and keep teaching, or have Milky flown home. Honestly though, I really don't want to leave and I don't think it will come to that. The general mood here is that everyone feels safe and are really not too concerned about the threats. The Military are concerned, but that's their job. My job is teaching (ha) not worrying about invasion. If I had to leave I would be worried sick about all my kids and my friends here.

Peace out, Citizens

xoxoxox