Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

By: Paul Torday

Narrated by: Paul Torday, Samantha Bond, Fenella Woolgar, Neil Pearson, David Timson, Mark Perry, Peter Kenny, Crawford Logan, Andrew Sachs, Andrew Marr, Ian Conrich

Author Paul Torday makes his debut with this clever absurdist novel. Fisheries scientist Dr. Alfred Jones is approached by an extravagantly wealthy sheik with a novel plan. To foster goodwill, the sheik would like to introduce salmon fishing to Yemen - the same Yemen that is largely a desert - and politicians think it's a great idea.©2007 Paul Torday (P)2007 Orin Publiching Group Ltd.

Critic reviews

A remarkably assured first novel, this one is a pure delight." ( Booklist)

Sardonic but warm with themes of faith and courage to follow dreams

Quasi epistolary structure that built nuanced characters. Very well performed in almost a tv doco style.

Distracted by the British bureaucracy/philosophy

Any additional comments?

I didn't like the premise of the book, valuable researchers' resource redirected to the pleasure of a man's desire to go fishing. The concept of "researchers working only in fear of losing their job", ordered by higher-ups to make the salmon fishing happen so that they can get rich, was personally appalling. I can't help but put myself in the story, and I would have to say that I don't enjoy living other people's frustration.

Maybe I'll Start Fishing....

The performance of this novel is excellent and the story is entertaining and thought provoking.

Lovely book

If you could sum up Salmon Fishing In The Yemen in three words, what would they be?

Lovely, very British

Would you be willing to try another book from Paul Torday? Why or why not?

Yes, combines humor, spirit, sorrow into a simply story. Unique.

Any additional comments?

I can't explain why I liked this book so much, but I did! Loved it and was sad to have it end. Whimsical yet very grounded. Had a few parts that dragged, but those parts helped tell the story.

Haven't seen the movie but really enjoyed the book

Any additional comments?

Good read. Had a little bit of everything in it. Politics, satire, comedy, relationships and some fishing. I would highly recommend it. Don't let the title fool you. Fishing is part of the story but really only plays a minor role.