“Salmon Fishing In The Yemen” by Paul Torday

We can never pretend we haven’t noticed when we’re late with Jen’s review – first the emails arrive, then the phone starts ringing and finally when we see a line of cars cruising up and down the street, we know there’s a problem. OK slight exaggeration…but not much, so without further ado, here she is – our Jen and “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” (note the pure poetry there.)

After reading Linda Ahnert’s brilliant homage to my beloved Nancy Drew, I really want to talk about Nancy, but I’ll tell you what I thought of this first.

Nancy would have loved this puzzle. Salmon Fishing In the Yemen was good but I was surprised there wasn’t a bit more to this book with such a clever premise.

Dr. Alfred Jones is coerced into creating a viable project under which it will be possible to fish for wild salmon in Yemen. Coerced because he thinks it is a highly unlikely scenario and subsequently a waste of his time. It would also be a waste of the five million plus pounds that a Yemeni sheik will be spending. Not to mention the eye rolling and general outburst that accompany such a ludicrous attempt at aiding British/Yemeni relations.

But then again, maybe it isn’t so ridiculous. Maybe this is book about faith. A book about why taking a seemingly impossible task upon oneself is worthwhile. More than worthwhile, in fact, possibly life-altering for all involved.

As Alfred Jones, his partner Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, the British Prime Minister, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Zaidi bani Tihama, and others become aware, this is an undertaking representing more than just fish in the desert. There are spiritual, scientific and political implications that reach far.

Paul Torday has written a story through letters, email and transcripts between the principal characters. Much like the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (which you know I love), the format is increasingly personal and compelling.

The Sheikh has a very real reason for believing such a project is necessary. He knows it will be laughed at, he knows his millions will be spent, he is prepared regardless of the obstacles. He believes that the social differences in his culture can be nullified by the single-minded passion that fisherman share. Faith in fishing. If people can be brought together through faith, then he has done the work of God. Fishing is one road to faith.

Belief in the possibility of introducing salmon to the deserts of Yemen is another.

Dr Jones and Chetwode-Talbot battle personal struggles entangled in their business and scientific interests. They become quite fond of the Sheikh and respect his vision whilst battling popular opinion.

Certain skeptics think this is beyond idiotic and those who take part do so only to serve their own personal interests. Dr Jones’ wife in particular is a short-sighted, self-absorbed moron who thwarts him at every pass. The PM’s secretary is another delight. What an idiot.

Jones, the Sheikh and Chetwode-Talbot work together to create plausibility from implausibility. They reach for the impossible and we love that they do. We curse the pencil-pushers and applaud the dreamers. I would like to have seen more philosophical discussion on the implication of chasing faith, but perhaps I am still spoiled by The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

A slightly off-putting cop-out of an ending is not reason enough to disregard the book. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen closes in on very interesting principles that I wish Paul Torday could elaborate upon. He gets us close and it seems to be up to us to take the idea further.