Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: The book that became a major film starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt

Paul Torday

Sep 2008 · Hachette UK

About this ebook

What readers are saying:

'Loved it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'My favourite book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'One of the most wonderful books I have ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


'Stunningly funny' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the story of Dr Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist - for whom diary-notable events include the acquisition of a new electric toothbrush and getting his article on caddis fly larvae published in 'Trout and Salmon' - who finds himself reluctantly involved in a project to bring salmon fishing to the Highlands of the Yemen - a project that will change his life, and the course of British political history for ever.

With a wickedly wonderful cast of characters - including a visionary Sheikh, a weasely spin doctor, Fred's devilish wife and a few thousand transplanted salmon - SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN is a novel about hypocrisy and bureaucracy, dreams and deniability, and the transforming power of faith and love.

'Warmly recommended to anyone searching for feelgood comedy with surprising bite' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'I really loved this book' Bill Nighy

Ratings and reviews

I thought I wouldn't like a book with such a ridiculous, probably pretentious title. But it turned out to be a totally charming, seductive tale of following a dream, of late blooming, of the secret life of science, of, indeed, salmon fishing in the Yemen, and, as all good books are, about love.

Really enjoyed this book. It's a lovely story of human interaction! You don't have to care about fish!

Really good read, I thought the mixed format worked well, enjoyed it

About the author

Paul Torday burst on to the literary scene in 2007 with his first novel, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, an immediate international bestseller that has been translated into 28 languages and has been made into a film starring Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Blunt. His subsequent novels, THE IRRESISTIBLE INHERITANCE OF WILBERFORCE, THE GIRL ON THE LANDING, THE HOPELESS LIFE OF CHARLIE SUMMERS, MORE THAN YOU CAN SAY, THE LEGACY OF HARTLEPOOL HALL and LIGHT SHINING IN THE FOREST, were all published to great critical acclaim. He was married with two sons by a previous marriage, had two stepsons, and lived close to the River North Tyne. He died at home in December 2013.