The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing

Reviews

Mark Kurlansky employs his fact-packed writing style to braid the history of fly fishing and the fish, his personal life of fishing from boyhood pond to rivers around the globe, and literary and ethics perspectives on the sport into ‘A Good Line,’ which will draw in those already enamored of fly fishing and at least tantalize those puzzled by the attraction of going fly fishing. Mr. Kurlansky is a veteran writer. Over the course of 34 books—including bestsellers on such seemingly mundane subjects as salt, cod and paper—he has come to be known for his ability to weave history, philosophy and personal experience into compelling narratives. His latest, The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing, is on a subject that is clearly dear to his heart. . . . The book offers fascinating chapters on the history of fly fishing and tackle—flies, rods, reels, lines, even waders. . . . The fishing trivia Mr. Kurlansky cites is often marvelous. This being a book by Kurlansky, who never met a fact he didn’t like, the narrative turns from his experiences as a fisherman to a more universal history. . . . Stuffed full of trivia, data, lore, and anecdote—a pleasure for any fan of trout fishing. [A] vibrant treatise on fly-fishing . . . This is a thoroughly enjoyable mash-up of vivid memoir and fastidious, eccentric history. Perfect for your favorite angler and gifts all around. This is not your typical fly-fishing book, because it’s not a ‘how-to’ nor does it document the author’s fishing adventures. It truly is a book of virtues, a refreshing blend of autobiographical, scientific, and historical angles to a sport that continues to gain popularity. . . . If you are looking to read and learn about “the what and whys” of fly fishing and less about ‘the how’ this is a great book. Kurlansky’s fans will enjoy sharing his passion. A highly personal and gloriously digressive read that mingles memoir with lore of the craft and a deep appreciation for the experience of nature. The sort of book that Proust might have written had Proust become distracted by the madeleine . . . you step away from this book with a new vantage on history, a working knowledge of exotic milk and cheese, acceptance of your mom, a sense of what makes Mark Kurlansky tick and a weird craving for buffalo mozzarella. Elegant . . . related with vast brio and wit. Magnificent . . . a towering achievement. Kurlansky finds the world in a grain of salt. [A] readable and almost unreasonably fascinating book. Milk! A 10,000-Year Food Fracas is a feat of investigation, compilation and organization . . . Altogether a complex and rich survey, “Milk!” is a book well worth nursing. This is a book about fishing that isn’t a book about fishing at all. To be clear, Kurlansky has been a fisherman his entire life. But this fresh, revealing memoir reflects on the life lessons he has learned from fish … and the many things that make the pursuit such a special part of his life. Expand reviews