Ever read The River Why, or The Brothers K?

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Messages 1 - 15 of total 15 in this topic
Jello

Social climber
No Ut
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 22, 2007 - 08:44pm PT
The author of those great books, David James Duncan is in town to do a reading for a local educational foundation. He came to my house for coffee this morning, and we spent several hours discussing the protagonist of a novel he's working on. The character is a climber, and Duncan wants to get him right. It was total enjoyment to get into the revelatory moments that occur in climbing, and how his character might be affected. David carries his characters inside, and will not let them out until he knows them fully. We're getting together again in the morning to take the discussion further. I feel incredibly fortunate that he wants to pick my brain. It's going both ways, and I know these meetings will help me in my struggles with writing. Just felt like sharing a good experience with you, and to urge you to read his books.

-Jeff
TopRopeGun

Trad climber
Mar 22, 2007 - 08:52pm PT


Hey Jello!,

Loved "The River Why!"
Prod

Social climber
Charlevoix, MI
Mar 22, 2007 - 08:56pm PT
Hey Jello,

I read the Why a long time ago when I was guiding in the Grand. Thought it was a good read (I think). Was that the one about the husband and wife who both fish? Where she is a "plunker" and he is a fly fisherman? If so I really enjoyed it. Have you read it?

Prod
Jello

Social climber
No Ut
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 22, 2007 - 09:04pm PT
Prod- yeah, that's The River Why. I read it when it was first published, then again last fall as a two-book assignment for a mens' book club I belong to. Read it this time alongside Macleans' A River Runs Through it. Very interesting playing the books off each other as a starting point for discussion. Both great, in different ways.
BillA

Ice climber
Portland
Mar 22, 2007 - 09:19pm PT
I love both of these books. I read The River Why for the first time when I moved to Portland three years ago and then again before I spent last summer fly fishing in BC. I also just read The Brothers K a few months ago, both are among my favorite books of all time. Duncan's afterward in the 20th anniversary edition of river why is very poignant. Say hi to him for me!
maui_mark

Big Wall climber
under a coconut tree
Mar 22, 2007 - 10:17pm PT
The river Y is amazing. I thought it started out abit slow, but once I got into it I thought it was great.

recommended read for sure.

Never read the brothers K ...not really into baseball. I think thats what the book is about?

aloha
Mr.T

Big Wall climber
topanga
Mar 22, 2007 - 10:21pm PT
The brothers karamazov - I thought you talking about Dostoyevsky(sp).... That one I've read twice (had one with a clip-in loop). Deals with everything in life except war, or so says slaughterhouse five.

These others sound good - I'll need some summer reading.
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Mar 22, 2007 - 11:31pm PT
Yes, I read Bridge on the River Kwai once. And saw the movie, with Alec Guinness. Kwhy do you ask?

ps I've read the Brothers Karamazov too, but can't think of any pun based on it. Ron? Dirt?
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 21, 2014 - 03:16pm PT
Bump for a fine author.

And bait fishin'.

What's up, Friday Hiker?

What's the deal with Duncan's book?

Finished? Scrapped?

Or did you scare him off with Yer Gonna Die stories?
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Jul 21, 2014 - 03:28pm PT
BTW both are excellent books.....The Brothers K is a classic IMO.
Capt.

climber
some eastside hovel
Jul 21, 2014 - 04:19pm PT
I know,I know...The books always better but I certainly didn't mind watching Amber Heard in the movie. ;-D
guido

Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
Jul 21, 2014 - 07:09pm PT
Brothers K is an excellent read!
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 21, 2014 - 07:56pm PT
This link gives you the opportunity to listen to the audio book of TR? near its beginning. Click under the book's picture.

http://www.amazon.com/The-River-Why-Twentieth-Anniversary-Edition/dp/1578050847/ref=pd_cp_mov_0

"...the mightiest steelhead that he had ever seen...Nijinski!"


looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Jul 21, 2014 - 09:51pm PT
I had to read The Brothers K and River Teeth (short stories) in high school. Afraid I'm suffering from "required reading" PTSD and I'll never remember them in a good way. We met him and he spoke with us for a couple hours during my freshman year while on a school trip in Washington.
Captain...or Skully

climber
in the oil patch...Fricken Bakken, that's where
Jul 22, 2014 - 02:47am PT
Both rule, in different ways....good bump, eh?
Messages 1 - 15 of total 15 in this topic
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