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The River Why
The River Why | David James Duncan
10 posts | 8 read | 16 to read
The classic novel of fly fishing and spirituality, originally published in 1983. Since its publication in 1983, THE RIVER WHY has become a classic. 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.
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Leftcoastzen
The River Why | David James Duncan
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#NewYearNewBooks #WhyInTitle Haven‘t read it but sold a lot of copies back in my bookseller years .

Kimberlone This is actually a really good book! My high school English teacher who was really into fly fishing had us read this senior year 🤣 3mo
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 3mo
SamAnne David James Duncan is wonderful. This was the first literary book I read placed in “my country.” I grew up in the Oregon Coast range. Then read Sometimes a Great Notion. I‘ve ended up working with David on salmon, steelhead restoration efforts. He is funny, brilliant and emotional. I highly recommend The Brothers K and his essay collection My Story as Told by Water. I‘m just starting his new novel The Sun House. (edited) 3mo
Leftcoastzen @SamAnne wow , that‘s amazing! The only book I have read was the tagged one . It was recommended to me by a person of faith who also is a philosophical thinker who always questions some elements of contemporary Christian issues 3mo
SamAnne @Leftcoastzen I love that essay collection! David grew up Seventh Day Adventist. These days eastern religions seem to inspire him most. I love the way he write about his spirituality 3mo
45 likes5 comments
review
Crinoline_Laphroaig
The River Why | David James Duncan
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Pickpick

Happy Saturday! What are you reading? A book that‘s basically Fishing and the Philosophy of Life wouldn't normally be on my TBR. It's my IRL Book Club read and friend's favorite book. Best of all weather's beautiful so we are actually meeting in person (Socially Distanced & Outdoors)for the 1st time in what feels like forever❗📖 ♥️
#gonefishing
#myweekendisbooked
#socialdistancingbookclub

keys_on_fire I‘m reading a book about a crazy heist/bomb/murder that took place in a town I know well. There is a Netflix documentary about it called Evil Genius and I know one of the cops that for interviewed. The book is 3y
marleed Gorgeous spot! 3y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @marleed Thank you! It's my happy spot! 3y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @keys_on_fire sounds interesting!" 3y
41 likes4 comments
review
Bkwurm
The River Why | David James Duncan
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟Gus is a philosophical fisherman looking for meaning & something sacred in his life. David James Duncan is a thoughtful master of prose who portrays what could easily be a boring or heavy-handed story in a funny, delightful, & thought-provoking way. I've read it twice & I still find myself coming back to it again & again. This book sticks with me, and I think about the characters, themes, & issues months after I've put the book down.

Coleen I have this on Mt. TBR but have never known anyone else who's read it. Glad to read your review! 8y
13 likes1 comment
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SoniaC
The River Why | David James Duncan
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#stats Here is how September went. Good not great but I sure did love the books I read and two were complete beasts 😂 Shantaram 43 hrs and 1Q84 1157 pgs!

ScrappyMags So how did u do this little graphic?? Me + technology = 😬😠😫 8y
SoniaC lol I hear ya! I got an app called Vanillapen 8y
elkeOriginal @ScrappyMags @SoniaC I think many of us use Vanillapen - it's fairly easy... 8y
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SoniaC @elkeo yes it really is! 8y
Sue Good stuff! 1Q84 looks like a beast!! 8y
SoniaC @Sue it's three books combined so yeah it's a lot but I did not want to put it down. 8y
42 likes6 comments
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Bkwurm
The River Why | David James Duncan
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I'm fortunate to not be generally prone to depression, but the few times in my life when I _have_ struggled with depression, this is the form it has always taken.

SoniaC Yeah I'm no longer the only one to post about this book!!! Hope you're loving it! 8y
Bkwurm @SoniaC I do love it! This is my second read. I first read it a couple years ago and felt I'd discovered a gem. And until you, I'd never met anyone else who's heard of it. Have you seen the movie? It's not bad when you consider so much of the story is philosophical, and takes place in Gus's head. 8y
SoniaC @Bkwurm I had. I idea there was a movie! I didn't know about the book until Liberty recommended it for me. I'm so glad she did. 8y
15 likes1 stack add3 comments
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SoniaC
The River Why | David James Duncan
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Pickpick

I'm not sure I ever read a book that was as laugh out loud funny and beautifully spiritual at the same time. This book is about much more than Fly Fishing. It is about growing up, a spiritual journey, the beauty and wisdom of nature, the middle way, most of all it's about love. Love for friends, family, nature, God, and that special someone. This amazing book should be read by everyone! It has so much depth. Thank you @Liberty for an inspired rec

47 likes4 stack adds
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SoniaC
The River Why | David James Duncan
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Oh Taqueria how I missed you! Continuing to enjoy The River Why as I grab some lunch. Yummy veggie burrito. This book is so good and just keeps getting deeper and funnier.

Godmotherx5 Your food looks great & the books sounds like a riot. 8y
SoniaC @Godmotherx5 it's got a very deep message about life, death, and happiness but it is laugh out loud funny at times. 8y
britt_brooke That looks delicious! Enjoy! 8y
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Godmotherx5 @SoniaC Oh fun, it sounds like it's right up my alley. 8y
SoniaC @britt_brooke in my humble opinion there are few things better than a hole in the wall family run taqueria. 8y
SoniaC @Godmotherx5 it's well worth it! 8y
britt_brooke I wholeheartedly agree! 8y
44 likes1 stack add7 comments
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SoniaC
The River Why | David James Duncan
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Grabbing some lunch after a nice long walk. Veggie fried rice, spicy eggplant and my book The River Why. Looks like I may be here a while ❤️🍽📚

britt_brooke Yum! 8y
SoniaC @britt_brooke I've been craving Chinese food for a week. So good!! 8y
42 likes2 comments
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SoniaC
The River Why | David James Duncan
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Sitting at my favorite tea place back home enjoying a cup of Watermelon Oolong and about to jump into my recommended book by @Liberty #readingunderthelitfluence oh couldn't pass up getting a tin of Sparrows Tongue tea to take home with me.

Books_Wine_Repeat Watermelong oolong sounds amazing! 👍 8y
SoniaC @Books_Wine_Repeat one of my favorites. 8y
48 likes2 comments