Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - by Paul Torday (Paperback)

About the Book

With a wickedly wonderful cast of characters, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" is the whimsical story of an unlikely hero who discovers true love, finds himself first a pawn and then a victim of political spin, and learns to believe in the impossible.

Book Synopsis

UK BESTSELLER

What does it take to make us believe in the impossible?For Dr. Alfred Jones, life is a quiet mixture of civil service at the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence and marriage to Mary--an ambitious, no-nonsense financier. But a strange turn of fate from an unexpected direction forces Jones to upend his existence and spend all of his time in pursuit of another man's ludicrous dream. Can there be salmon in the Yemen? Science says no. But if resources are limitless and the visionary is inspired, maybe salmon fishing in the Yemen isn't impossible. Then again, maybe nothing is.

From the Back Cover

"Every so often a novel comes along that is quite original; think of Yann Martel's enchanting "Life of Pi..". [A] commentary on the value of belief to mankind. [T]hought-provoking and memorable." The Economist

What does it take to make us believe in the impossible?

For Dr. Alfred Jones, life is a quiet mixture of civil service at the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence and marriage to Mary an ambitious, no-nonsense financier. But a strange turn of fate from an unexpected direction forces Jones to upend his existence and pursue another man's ludicrous dream. Is salmon fishing in the Yemen impossible? Maybe nothing is.

"[A] journey from skepticism to belief."--The New York Times

"The remarkable thing is that a book about so deeply serious a matter can make you laugh, all the way to a last twist . [A] parable about the mystery of belief and its transforming power Salmon Fishing is extraordinary indeed, and a triumph." -The Guardian

"Torday's clear talent is in striking a variety of notes, from soulful to satirical, and making them work as one bracing, bittersweet whole. -- Seattle Times

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Review Quotes

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

"A wonderful novel--a cry for humanity in our target-driven, spin-riddled world." --MARINA LEWYCKA, author of A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN --