Blood Knot [Hardcover]

Pete Fromm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Stories from the heart about the bridge that fishing builds to bring people closer together.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two-time Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award-winner Fromm (Dry Rain) tries hard to rise above his single narrative obsession?fishing trips as a bonding device?in the efficient 10 stories of his latest collection. Too often, though, the attempt to attach symbolic significance to the sport overwhelms otherwise finely drawn character studies. The title story focuses on a narrator at the end of his marriage, driving from Montana to Georgia in an attempt to maintain a severed relationship with his eight-year-old son by spending three days finding new fishing territory in the boy's new home. In "The Net," newlyweds Mandy and Dalton, united on the banks of a very cold Montana river, start their life's journey through shaky marital waters, battling whitefish, drifting when neither knows who should steer, and seeking their "strongest desire" as they learn to compromise. In "My Sister's Hood," third grader Franky spends the day fishing with his sister's boyfriend and other high school seniors; although his line is too light to catch the big fish, his relationship with his sister changes forever when she leaves the family a few days later. Vivid regional details, an interesting compendium of characters and a fluid narrative style generously support this slim volume?even if non-fishermen may find themselves tiring of Fromm's piscatory conceit by the collection's end.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

It's a shame that this book may be regarded as a work of "fishing fiction" because it deserves a larger audience. Fromm creates a number of memorable characters who are both believable and sympathetic. Unexpected heroes and a pleasant narrative voice are certainly two of Fromm's hallmarks. This is a better collection than his earlier Dry Rain (LJ 4/15/97) because Fromm seems more willing to let his stories develop without forcing the climax. The title story features a divorced man driving from Montana to Florida for a visit with his son. Through this boy, the father learns to understand and forgive his ex-wife in a most unexpected fashion. Out of the ten stories, this reviewer thoroughly enjoyed nine. A first-rate collection; highly recommended for all libraries.?Jeff Grossman, Milwaukee Area Technical Coll. Lib., Oak Creek, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558217444
• ISBN-13: 978-1558217447
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,178,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just Fish Stories, March 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood Knot (Hardcover)

Having never read one of Mr. Fromm's other books I was hesitant to take a bite of this one. I'm glad I did. My only problem now is, do I dare read any of his other works for fear of being disappointed. I'm afraid, for me, he has set a very high standard to be met in the future.

All of the short stories in "Blood Knot", are fishing stories, more importantly to those of us who live in Norman Maclean territory, they are predominately fly fishing stories. If, after reading just one of these ten stories you believe that fact is important to the stories then you must also believe that "Moby Dick" is a story about a whale. For all it matters, Fromm could have been writing about knitting, or mountain climbing. His stories are about human relationships, good and bad.

Each story is well crafted, not too short and not too long. The characters are real, we feel their emotions and if not we at the very least can recognize their struggle with what life has served them...

My only regret is that there are only ten stories. I guess I will have to tempt disappointment, and try one of Mr. Fromm's other offerings. I only hope they are as tasty as this one.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars these ARE just fishing stories, January 16, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blood Knot (Hardcover)

In contrast to the other reviewers, I would have to say that these are primarily fishing stories, with personal relationships playing a secondary role. None of the stories really grabbed me and I found the writing to be nothing spectacular. I enjoyed Mr. Fromm's other work more (ie., Indian Creek Chronicles).