The River Why [B1439]

2016 PB in nice clean condition. The 1983 classic novel of fly fishing and spirituality republished with a new Afterword by the author. David James Duncan's sweeping novel is a coming-of-age comedy about love, nature, and the quest for self-discovery, written in a voice as distinct and powerful as any in American letters. Gus Orviston is a young fly fisherman who leaves behind his comically schizoid family to find his own path. Taking refuge in a remote cabin, he sets out in pursuit of the Pacific Northwest's elusive steelhead. But what begins as a physical quarry becomes a spiritual one as his quest for self-knowledge batters him with unforeseeable experiences. Profoundly reflective about our connection to nature and to one another, THE RIVER WHY is also a comedic rollercoaster. Like Gus, the reader emerges utterly changed, stripped bare by the journey Duncan so expertly navigates.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "I read this book about 30 years ago and enjoyed it. This time I enjoyed it even more. Having spent many years chasing steelhead on the Deschutes River probably contributed to my greater appreciation of this book, but it really was the whole story that I enjoyed so much. An enjoyable read."; "*almost* perfect. Read this while in the Weminuche by myself and I was instantly so entertained and invested!! But the last ~30 pages did not go as I wanted. I can get behind the spirituality in nature, the taoism, the philosophy, but ending with the hand of jesus, cross of light, happily ever after bummed me out! First 90% was incredible though."; "One of the most rambunctious, unique, richly imagined novels I've had the pleasure of reading. I don't know the first thing about fishing and was hooked throughout (sorry). Reminds you to see the world with childlike wonder and revel in whatever wilds you can find. Speaking of which - did this lessen my desire to move to a cabin in the PNW? Absolutely it did not."; ""