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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Phenomenally written. I tend to give five stars to anything I enjoyed throughout, and so five stars could be a spectrum; this book belongs at the top of that spectrum. There are few works one can be lucky enough to stumble upon that are written perfectly, works in which every paragraph seems to clearly belong, and every sentence is useful and beautiful. Those works are usually short, and "A River Runs Through It," is certainly one. It is the longest such work I have read. While the short stories following it are also excellent - caustic and fun, while serious bits of biography - they seem to make greatness a following ARRTI; the titular novella takes the cake, and is one of the finest written works I've ever read.
My only complaint: I was worried about the book after reading the introduction, (my copy is identical to the one pictured) which was boastful and full of the sort of academic pretension someone writing about a U Chicago author might expect. I had a downright scornful view of what I was about to read, thanks to the ego at the beginning. Maclean's introduction following that came off, thus, as even more academic and conceited than what could possibly have been intended, though I did detect a trace of ego in his introduction. Fortunately, the ego could be forgiven, because ARRTI earns it.
Once more for the back: Phenomenally written.
My only complaint: I was worried about the book after reading the introduction, (my copy is identical to the one pictured) which was boastful and full of the sort of academic pretension someone writing about a U Chicago author might expect. I had a downright scornful view of what I was about to read, thanks to the ego at the beginning. Maclean's introduction following that came off, thus, as even more academic and conceited than what could possibly have been intended, though I did detect a trace of ego in his introduction. Fortunately, the ego could be forgiven, because ARRTI earns it.
Once more for the back: Phenomenally written.
This is extremely well written, but there's only so much that I can read about life as a lumberjack in Montana in the early years of the 20th century before I burn out. I made it to page 130 (of 217), before giving up. The title story was made into a movie, and I cannot imagine how they made a movie out of it. Great characters, but absolutely no plot. There must have been a LOT of invention!
Beautifully written- family, brothers, fathers, fly fishing. But mostly fly fishing.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
fast-paced
I read this almost every year and I know that I annoy my friends and family with my quoting and sending quotes from the story to them, but I just love this book so much. No matter how many times I read it I laugh out loud at some parts and always finish it in tears. Such a great story!!!! "I am haunted by waters."
I've read this beautiful book so many times and I know the stories well. Still there are lines that bring tears to my eyes. "I am haunted by waters".
I read this book every few years and have for the past 20 or 25 years. Every time it makes me cry, every though I know the book almost without reading it. If you've seen the movie, you know it is great, but you owe it to yourself to hear this book. Not only it the first novella wonderful, but the entire books is just great. As Norman's father would say, it is beautiful.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes