The One that Got Away, Howell Raines
The One that Got Away, Howell Raines
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The One that Got Away
A Memoir

Author: Howell Raines

Narrator: Tom Stechschulte

Unabridged: 10 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 03/10/2008


Synopsis

"Lost fish," writes Howell Raines, "chasten us to the knowledge that we are all, in each and every moment, dwindling. Imagine my surprise when I discovered well into my sixth decade that losing fish can prepare us for a blessing as well as for pain." Confronting loss -- of an elusive fish or something larger -- is at the heart of "The One That Got Away, " the graceful sequel to Raines's much-loved, bestselling memoir "Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis, " published to great acclaim in 1993. With the same winning combination of reminiscences, anecdotes, philosophy and fishing lore, his bold new memoir covers the eventful years in this latest passage of his life, and the realization that in relinquishing his former identity as a newspaperman he has actually gotten what he wanted, just in the most unlikely way. In wry and witty prose, Raines shifts between fishing vignettes and personal reflections on his childhood, his second marriage, his relationships with his two sons, the trajectory of his career at "The New York Times" and his move toward old age. At the center of his narrative is his most thrilling fishing adventure -- an epic battle with a marlin he hooked and fought for more than seven hours in the South Pacific -- which comes to symbolize his growing understanding and acceptance of the unpredictability of luck, love, lies and life, and how the unexpected can, in fact, be an opportunity to make life more interesting. Raines's wonderful descriptions of streams, people and fish; his passion for angling and writing; and his wise and perceptive commentary on the vagaries of his own life combine to create a profound book -- one of undeniable appeal and uncommon heart.

Reviews

A great storyteller, as one would expect from a NYT journalist. A few hundred too many adjectives as if he is trying to show the reader his skills. Some of the turn-of-phrase comments were fun to read, but they did take away from the stories a bit. Many should have been edited out or cut to one adje......more

Goodreads review by Dennis

amusing first half. as lifelong fisherman, agree that the one that got away stays with us long after the fish we land. second half is self absorbing, little interest in the newspaper business. my take away. sometimes you just say f it and go fishing! glad to see my philosophy validated. yes, i reali......more

Goodreads review by Dan

He hooks a big fish, and takes us along for a long ride through bitterness and joy. This book is a mix of fishing and a defense of himself and the New York Times for the Jayson Blair fiasco - and it offers insight into both.......more