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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I saw the movie first, with my father and brothers, and I was immediately captivated by this powerful story of love and loss and grace. The first time I read this book, twenty years ago, I thought the screenplay was better. Now, I think the book is better. I'm older. Norman Maclean has written one of the jewels of my life.
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
SPOILERS BELOW
I read this for school, and I've really enjoyed every book I've read this year, but I think this one was just okay. Norman Maclean's writing is gorgeous, honest, witty, and universal. However, his story telling was a bit odd to me. He spends a lot of time on extra characters like Old Rawhide, or his wife and in-laws, when towards the end Maclean's purpose seems to do a complete 180 once Paul is killed. I understand the sentiment of trying to remember Paul and honor his memory. I have younger siblings and I don't know what I would do without them. But when I was reading he just seemed to be looking back on his life as he's getting old, then once Paul dies, his focus is clearly on him. Most likely he just didn't want his readers to know about Paul's death until the end of the book, but his tangents on the citizens of Missoula and Wolf Creek seem to distract from his overarching purpose. If he wrote the novel to remember his brother and give his children and grandchildren an idea of what Paul was like, then why the stories about characters who only have brief appearances?
One thing my English Lit teacher mentioned is that I may not understand this book right now in high school, so it may be my lack of life experience that's affected my opinion of the book. I'm planning on rereading the book maybe once I graduate college, but for now, this is a meaningful and beautifully written story, but the choices Maclean makes are a little lost on me.
I read this for school, and I've really enjoyed every book I've read this year, but I think this one was just okay. Norman Maclean's writing is gorgeous, honest, witty, and universal. However, his story telling was a bit odd to me. He spends a lot of time on extra characters like Old Rawhide, or his wife and in-laws, when towards the end Maclean's purpose seems to do a complete 180 once Paul is killed. I understand the sentiment of trying to remember Paul and honor his memory. I have younger siblings and I don't know what I would do without them. But when I was reading he just seemed to be looking back on his life as he's getting old, then once Paul dies, his focus is clearly on him. Most likely he just didn't want his readers to know about Paul's death until the end of the book, but his tangents on the citizens of Missoula and Wolf Creek seem to distract from his overarching purpose. If he wrote the novel to remember his brother and give his children and grandchildren an idea of what Paul was like, then why the stories about characters who only have brief appearances?
One thing my English Lit teacher mentioned is that I may not understand this book right now in high school, so it may be my lack of life experience that's affected my opinion of the book. I'm planning on rereading the book maybe once I graduate college, but for now, this is a meaningful and beautifully written story, but the choices Maclean makes are a little lost on me.
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
The book again is so much better than the movie. Good fast read.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- I enjoyed the richness of the writing and the landscape in which the story is set very much
- I especially enjoyed the technical discussion of fishing, the focus on skill and craft
- I really enjoyed the use of these very tangible things to act as points for us to focus and hold on to as an emotional story existed behind them
- I especially enjoyed the technical discussion of fishing, the focus on skill and craft
- I really enjoyed the use of these very tangible things to act as points for us to focus and hold on to as an emotional story existed behind them
A fascinating book about helping people, especially those close to you and fishing. Both of which were intriguing to me. Overall a decent short read that I enjoyed.
adventurous
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This collection of three stories was vastly different. A RIVER RUBS THROUGH IT was magnificent. It was touching, beautiful, and deeply meaningful. The other two stories were very dry and didn't offer a ton. The ending of the USFS 1919 had a good ending but, before that, was incredibly dry. The writing was stilted. But, everyone should read A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT.
Swimming in outdoor wonder and understatement, and there's probably nothing I can say that hasn't already been said.
[4.5 stars, only because "Big Jim" possessed the art of neither the title novella nor "USFS 1919," both of which are magic.]
[4.5 stars, only because "Big Jim" possessed the art of neither the title novella nor "USFS 1919," both of which are magic.]