Linda Greenlaw probably does not realize what people really think of her. Maybe she thinks she is a woman who fishes and writes some books about it. Maybe she thinks she is mildly interesting because not everyone does this sort of thing. She would be spot on if that were what we thought.
But it’s not.
Judging by her numerous television appearances, book tours, and the placing of her books near the top of The New York Times Bestseller List, she is more than a gal who fishes.
I find her fascinating. I love all of her books and even signed up to get her newsletter.
A la Tania Abei, Linda Greenlaw is a salve for hum-drum wounds, a prestidigitatious whirlwind in a world of offices. The normal day for her is the day we dream of as we sit typing.
Linda Greenlaw went to Colby where she majored in English and Government. She has an apparently lovely family in Maine. And, just like the girl next door, her best friend was an septegenarian, grizzly, hermetic fisherman. In his gallant footsteps, Linda follows.
She becomes the first and only female to captain a swordfishing boat on the Grand banks. (She featured prominently in the book, “The Perfect Storm,” by Sebastian Junger and was played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in the movie.) This has brought her recognition, but not gone to her head.
Her books, of which, “All Fishermen Are Liars” is one, are akin to hanging out with her. Her naturally easy disposition tempered by unfailing veraciousness translates well to the page. She writes honestly and naturally, and perfectly encapsulates her world. To read any of her books* (all of which I highly recommend) is to spend time with her doing what she loves – fishing, spending time with The Boys, eating her Mother’s cooking, being with her friends. It is invigorating.
This book is a collection of tall tales and true tales. Linda and her friends spend a long afternoon lingering at a bar in Portland and trying to one-up each other. The resulting collection of theses stories is a riot.
*The Hungry Ocean, The Lobster Chronicles, Slipknot (fic), All Fishermen Are Liars, Recipes From A Very Small Island, Fisherman’s Bend