The River Why Audiobook By David James Duncan cover art

The River Why

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The River Why

By: David James Duncan
Narrated by: Dick Hill
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About this listen

The classic novel of fly fishing and spirituality republished with a new afterword by the author.

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 roller coaster. Like Gus, the listener emerges utterly changed, stripped bare by the journey Duncan so expertly navigates.

©1983 David James Duncan (P)2016 Blackstone Audio
Coming of Age Literary Fiction Fiction Outdoor Witty Funny Fishing
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Critic reviews

"A veritable epic of flyfishing...done in a high-velocity, exuberant style, sprawling in scale, heedless of form.... The feeling for and evocation of the imperiled natural world is rhapsodic in its intensity; the writing energetic, literary in a distinctly American way.... So amiable is the prevailing tone that the flowing narrative is able to absorb Koranic and Eastern mysticisms, Tao, Sufism, Zen-the religions of oneness and gospel of love-without turning into the kind of maudlin choral chanting that so often disfigures treatments of fusion of self and the world." ( Publishers Weekly)
"This is a modern-repeat, modern -tale of maturity and redemption." ( Christian Science Monitor)
"A whirlwind, madcap, humorous and sensitive novel." ( New York Times)

What listeners say about The River Why

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Funny, relatable and touching.

It’s fun to follow the details of the main characters, trailing thoughts. I think the narrator did an amazing job with the characters, and added to the humor of the writing.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Distracting narrator but terrific story

Like many other reviewers I really disliked the style of narration by this narrator. Lots of odd stops, overly dramatic and weird emphasis on certain words. Felt like a bad actor was trying to impress someone with a dramatic reading. But the story was good enough that I survived the poor reading of it and found I could still enjoy the book in the end. I guess you get used to the weird narration after a while.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best books of all time

It takes a minute to get absorbed into this book, but then the story overtakes you, and it is profound, and funny, and beautiful, and it spits you out the other side wide-awake, and in love with the world, and everything in it. Can you say any higher praise for a book?

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1 person found this helpful

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Great audible book

Wonderful story and Dick Hill as the narrator did an excellent job. I think if I read the book I would not have pictures the characters the same. Well done Mr Duncan and Mr. Hill for very entertaining stories and message. 👏👏

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I Can't Listen to This

I have been trying. to listen to this book however the narrator just doesn't work wit the story. I am going to return the book.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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When we fish, it is not the fish we are after.

Excellent read! For both avid, crazed Flyfishers like myself and those who have never picked up a rod. For the questions and answers within could be asked by anyone on our great orb in the cosmos.

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Surprising depth

The beginning of the book did not prepare me for the ways the characters developed. In the beginning, it seemed a little lightweight, entertaining, but I wasn’t sure where it was taking me. As the story progress, however, I began to feel that I was reading the significant work of fiction. The character setting normal steps. It is hard to describe the book. In someways, it reads like a collection of short stories. Each chapter is its own unique standalone piece. Taken together, it tells a story of the right of passage of a young man and the transformation of his life and the lives of the people around him. It’s definitely worth the effort.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Simple. Amazing. Simply amazing!

This book is for everyone. You don’t have to like fly fishing to fall in love the characters, the story, and the book. Highly recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not as good as The Brothers K

I really loved The Brothers K but by this book by Duncan was a letdown. There was much too much emphasis on fly fishing and the spiritual journey of the protagonist was handled in such a trivial way that is was off-putting. The narrator was versatile and quit good with some of the humorous parts of the story but much too contrived with the more serious. A disappointment.

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The best

This is one of my favorite books of all time. If you have any love of fishing, and life it’s worth your time.

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