David James Duncan

After watching the overlooked 2010 film version of this novel, I set out to read the book, as I enjoyed the adaptation a great deal. It turns out the film writer and director watered down the fishing portion of the text quite a bit. For no logical reason, I was taken aback after standing knee-deep in fish scales. But, after a slow, fishy start, the book settled into the more philosophical material and coursed along swimmingly. In tone, it reminded me a bit of [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle show more Maintenance]. While hanging out with Gus as he figured out his life along the banks of a river was quite enjoyable and provided some actual laugh aloud moments, I agree with some of the other reviewers that this is not one for the casual reader. And, just to be clear, I do not at all agree with the reviewers who complained about the bits about religion - Gus' wry and keen observations on religion are just what the zealots need. show less

This novel slowly reels you in to the Chance family -- struggling minor league pitching father; devout Christian, rules the roost mother; four very different sons, and two twin young girls. We hear about their lives, personalities, the different paths they take as they come into their own during the 60's and the Vietnam Era --- mostly narrated by the youngest son Kade, though occasionally we read school papers and letters of the children and adults they become. It is a fascinating tapestry show more that is painstakingly created, and one that draws the reader in so completely -- the end of the novel is devastating.

Having just read 'The Brothers Karamazov' I see the parallels, in particular grappling with the the question of God and religion's role in one's life -- how this affects how you see yourself, the world, adversity, destiny. Although this is heavy stuff, Duncan's prose and storytelling are wonderfully engaging; for me there really wasn't a dull moment in the novel. (Although, if you are not a baseball fan, there may be one or two slow spots)

There were parts that bordered on the unbelievable certainly - Peter's adventures in India, the road trip with the Adventists to free Irwin, and I do wish we had gotten to actually know Kincaid, our narrator, a bit better. So, I was all set to rate this novel a 4 or 4 1/2 star deal -- but then I was blown away by the ending. I certainly will not spoil anything for anybody - those of you who read the novel I suspect know what I mean. I can only think of a couple of other books that caused me to tear up in my entire reading career. However, I sobbed through many of the penultimate chapters. Sobbed; I don't know, maybe Duncan caught me at a weak moment, but I really did sob. Provoking that kind of reaction is worth at least one extra star!

Overall, a wonderful, accessible, well-written saga that certainly can compete on a list of great American modern novels, and thankfully, it is not post-modernist. show less

This is an utterly delightful book.

I'm not usually a fan of coming-of-age stories, but this one is amazing. It's about Gus, a young man growing up in Oregon whose family is obsessed with fishing. His father is an erudite and sophisticated fly-fisher, and his mother is a ribald and gregarious bait fisher, so that conflict causes a lot of love-hate feelings in the household. Gus is just as obsessed with fishing as his parents, and is an expert fisherman from a very young age. When he show more graduates from high school, he buys a little cabin near a river so that he can spend all of his time fishing. Over the years, he learns a lot about nature, solitude, community, and love. Ultimately, he learns how to exist peacefully with nature, friends, family, and God, and to understand his place in all of those communities.

At first, I really wasn't sure I was going to enjoy a book about fishing. I'm a vegetarian and have some pretty strong opinions about fishing (or any other form of hunting) for sport. Part of Gus's journey is his growing understanding that fish deserve respect too, and how his fishing fits in with the balance of nature. The book is full of beautiful writing about nature: it reminds me a lot of Brian Doyle's writing in its celebration of the exuberance of nature.

The book also explores some big questions of philosophy and religion, but never becomes preachy or even prescriptive: the questions remain open, and the characters understand that they may come closer to answers, but will always be contemplating the questions.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator is amazing - he really brings all of the characters to life. show less

Sweeping family saga set mostly in the 1960’s – 1970’s in the state of Washington, The Brothers K is the story of the Papa Hugh Chance, a former baseball player whose career was derailed by injury, Mama Laura, a fervent Seventh Day Adventist with a painful past, and their four sons and two daughters. It is told in first person by the youngest son, Kincaid, through his own observations, as well as news articles, letters, school papers, and family memorabilia that provide additional show more points of view into relationships and events, and covers topics such as baseball, family dynamics, religion, nature, politics, war, and coming of age during the turbulent sixties. Though the characters are many, the focus is primarily on Papa Hugh, Mama Laura, and three of the four sons: Everett, Peter, and Irwin. Everett, the eldest, clashes with his mother regarding religion and becomes a rebel-hippie-agnostic. Peter, the second son, is the most athletically gifted, but is drawn to intellectual pursuits and Eastern spiritualism. Irwin is a good-hearted trusting soul who embraces his mother’s religion but also suffers the most trauma. It is a great example of how siblings can be remarkably different in temperament and avocations.

The author has a wry sense of humor and is skilled at evoking emotion, at times funny, poignant, or heart-breaking. Baseball anecdotes and analogies are prevalent in the first half of the book. Duncan uses baseball as a metaphor for life, and baseball fans will particularly enjoy this part. As the storyline expands, and the children grow to adulthood, the focus shifts away from baseball and toward their various interests. It also moves away from their small hometown in Washington to international locations. There are plentiful allusions to The Brothers Karamazov, for which the book is named, but the storyline is substantially different, and it is not required to have read Dostoevsky’s novel in order to appreciate this one. As baseball fans will know, a “K” represents a strike-out, and the characters suffer a number of failures, life lessons, and adversities. Duncan explores the nature of success and failure by examining life-altering decisions, and the roles of fate, chance, and spirituality. The characterization is outstanding, with enough detail to understand motivations. At almost 650 pages, Duncan takes a few detours that perhaps were not strictly required and relates extended dream sequences. It will require the reader’s patience and persistence, but the payoff felt worth the effort. This book explores the themes of faith, hope, self-discovery, doubt, internal strife, love, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a gem of a book, a mixture of a great yarn and a thought-provoking philosophical look at life. show less