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Summary: I don't have the words to describe it adequately
Review: "A River Runs Through It" is so marvelous that it's difficult to put into words. One of MacLean's children tells the story that he would emerge from his room while writing this book with tears pouring down his face. This semi-autobiographical book reflects that sense of love and nostalgia in glowing, incredibly beautiful language. Frankly, this book ought to be used to illustrate GREAT writing. The words are simple and clear, but they are filled with great wisdom, warmth and humanity. In a little over 100 pages, MacLean transports us to a different time and place and yet illustrates the timelessness of a family's love for each other and their environment. MacLean may have been "hunted by waters," but I think it's hard not to be haunted by this book. Whenever I feel stressed out or depressed, I pull out this book and re-read it. It's a balm for my soul every time. I can think of no higher praise. Thank you, Mr. MacLean.
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Summary: Inherent beuaty throughout
Review: Maclean's beautiful novel centers more around pure emotions than fly fishing. His story only uses fly fishing as a basis for a more important intention, describing the relationship between a pair of brothers. What I find incredible is the skill with which he weaves his story. The feelings which seep from his story are paralleled only by real life. I cannot help but pause at every new emotion and marvel at how it is so similar to those that I have felt. If you are lucky enough to recognize someone you know in his story you will probably discover something about them in this story, and you will definitely find out more about yourself. While fisherman will be drawn to this story I recommend this to anyone who is passionate towards anything.
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Summary: Even better than I remembered
Review: I recently reread this wonderful book. I had remembered the lyrical and stirring fishing scenes, with the artistry of the younger brother, but I had forgotten the equally compelling story about family relationships and life in Montana. The writing is as clear as a fast running stream, and the illustrations in this edition, particularly of the fishing flies, fit the mood of the book and make it even more enjoyable.
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Summary: NOT ABOUT FISHING
Review: It seems many of the reviewers have misread this wonderful book. "A River Runs Through It" is not about fly-fishing and Montana any more than "Romeo and Juliet" is about Italy. MacLean uses fly-fishing as a back drop for his story about family, time, and love. If it could be summarized in a sentence (and it cannot) it would be about loving completely without complete understanding. The scope of the book expands far beyond the confines of fly-fishing. I think that is why so many readers, even the ones who think it's about fly-fishing, see themselves and their families in this book. I only write all this because I'm afraid readers who would truly enjoy this book may be turned away, not wanting to read a book about fishing. It's a beautiful story, beautifully told.
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Summary: A classic of Western American literature
Review: Norman Maclean's beautifully written autobiographical tale has become one of the classics of American literature. Some of the many powerful themes running through the story include the struggle for grace represented by the art of fly fishing, the ebb and flow of time, and the idea of family. It is the examination of family that is perhaps strongest. While the relationships between father and son, mother and son, and husband and wife are all dealt with, it is the filial duties and relationships that are ultimately the centerpiece of the story. It is Maclean's haunting by what happens to his brother that makes the novel what it is. Barry Moser's illustrations are superb and are a compelling reason to own the hardcover addition. The movie version was well done and did justice to the novel.
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Summary: Beautiful Literature
Review: Growing up with a fly rod in hand and chasing wild brook trout, I knew I had to read this book. The book kept my attention and I finished it in one day. Now that I've read it six more times I've learned to appreciate the beauty of the novel. It has now become my all time favorite read.
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Summary: A passionate, involving audiobook story.
Review: Ivan Doig provides a spirited account of fly fishing and relationships between men who fish the river in this abridged story centered around both fishing experiences and family interactions. A passionate, involving audio story.
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Summary: No work of literature is more beautifully written
Review: This tale of two brothers, their family and their passion forfly fishing and the Montana outdoors, causes me to have conflictingemotions: on the one hand, it inspires me to try to create my own work of fiction, while on the other hand, it causes me to despair of such an undertaking, as any attempts I might make will be clumsy and lackluster compared to McLean's novella. A friend, who was an English major in college and actually buys large quantities of those slightly oversized, artsy paperback works of fiction that sell for $14, recommended this book to me. She is an exceptionally bright, well-read individual, who has never had a thought in her life of taking up fishing as a hobby, yet her description of this book is 100% accurate. She told me that A River Runs Through It was the most beautifully written piece of literature that has ever graced the English language. I could not agree more. After finishing this work, I can only wonder with amazement why this short book was not required reading for any of my various English classes in my past. We read Hemingway as an example of powerful, concise writing, yet compared to McLain, our good friend Ernest appears effete, odd and uninteresting. Read some of the other reviews (discounting the several obviously juvenile ones, every single discriminating adult gave this novella five stars) and the adjective that is used most frequently, and most appropriately, is "beautiful." McLean achieved perfection in this work. Read it and you will feel enriched.
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Summary: im lost
Review: I need some summaries off this book...
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful and inspirational book
Review: "A River Runs Through It" is my all time favorite book. It's the kind of book that leaves you hungry for more. I encourage you to check it out.
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