Customer Reviews

Pale Morning Done: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! This novel is an expectional piece of literature that weaves the beauty of Montana, fly fishing,human nature and humor into a novel that is an absolute pleasure to read. The authors mastery of the english language is impressive and breathes fresh air into the genre of outdoor/fishing novels. His intimate knowledge of Montana......the culture, the rivers, the geography and fly-fishing is right on and adds substantial depth to an already polished storyline. The characters are intriguing and pulled directly from the drift boats, bars, fly shops, and ranches of western Montana. This is the real deal and should be on the "must read" list for anyone who enjoys great writing.

Jeff Hull paints a vivid, wonderful story. This book takes you to Montana, and keeps you there well after the last chapter is read.

Jeff Hull has accomplished something increasingly rare in American Literature with this novel, that is, writing on several levels simultaneously. He pleases the average reader with an intricate story of outdoor adventure leading to tragedy and murder. That plot alone takes several unexpected turns that would not allow me to put this novel down. Simultaneously, he weaves an elaborate, delightful, beautiful description of the art of fly-fishing, and it's inexplicable link with nature and the modern man's desire to be one with it. He is obviously a man well-versed in the art, and the science within as well. Thirdly, he describes in so many ways the pain and joy of the human condition of being young, single, in and out of love and finding your way through life. He simply uses the stage of fly fishing guides in Montana to tell this timeless story. Finally, his command of the English Language is profound and articulate. The vocabulary alone and his near-perfect use of it is worth reading this book for. Yes, it could easily be made into a Hollywood movie. However, I enjoyed it simply for what it is, an honest, heart-felt story about what is plainly a personal, and necessary need to express his love of nature, and the beautiful places within which Trout live. I've read it twice, with the same joy and alacrity that I have read novels by Steinbeck and Hemingway. Yes, the main character leaves you hanging for a little more debth or resolution, which is what we all are--something short of the glory of the Montana land and waterscape. Forget any other negative reviewers, they haven't been there or just don't get it.

Early Xmas gift that I couldn't put down.

I have fished many places, including Montana. This book brought me back. Rich storyline, interesting characters and an honest portrayal of the complexities facing many of the storied fishing spots across the country. And, beautiful insights into why those of us who fish for the joy of it all are brought back to the water whenever life allows. Hull paints a picture of fishing a stream that fills all of your senses. I agree with the editorial reviewers who evoke the names of the great fishing authors when describing Hull's writing. He gets it and can put it into words that you can't stop reading. I can't wait for his next book!

Outstanding, adeptly written prose - this book reminds me of the beautiful Montana streams from where it is set and honed - beautiful, graceful, sleek; an adventuresome ride over riffles, eddies and long stretching moving current. I absolutely loved this book and devoured each page, from cover to cover. Combine the humor and adroitness of Tom McGuane, the head-on illumination of rivers the likes of Ted Leeson's, the gift for story and human conflict of Norman Maclean and the simple poetry of the written word Rick Bass and Jim Harrison possess - salt it all across the tableau of contemporary Montana and you'll end up with Jeff Hull's "Pale Morning Done" - easily the next in line (and isn't it time?) of enduring classic fly fishing novels. This novel is rich in character depth, action, continual turn of events, grace (and gracelessness), boulder filled banks and tailouts. More than any novel I've read in recent past, I found myself completely caught up in the often complicated lives of the main characters and I found myself there while also immersed in the artfully rendered rivers, banks, meadows and passes of western Montana. What could be better? If you love story, trout streams, matters of the heart, gorgeous writing - buy this novel! No false casts here - it's simply a beauty of a catch - a genuine keeper.

Characters in this book are developed only insofar as each is the same as the other. The dialogue is forced and is too often used to advance the story, which is difficult to find amid the writing gimmicks and the characters' frequent and distracting digressions into self absorption about the most minute topics. A skilled trout fisher must often create slack in the drift in order to make the fly look natural and believable to a fish. In writing, maintaining tension is just as critical. There is no tension in this book, anywhere, especially, of all places, after Alton gets hit with the beer bottle near the end.

a well crafted, quick read..good character development. If you don't know anything about flyfishing there will be times you'll feel a bit lost...but the author doesn't leave you there very long. I'm a flyfisherman so I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.

In Pale Morning Done Jeff Hull skillfully fashions a world of believable people, beautiful places, noble causes and roiling relationships. Pale Morning Done made me feel as though I was living in present day Montana, restoring a spring creek, fishing and having a drink or two with friends at the end of the day.

C. D. Peterson
An old fly fisherman

Hull does a great job of bringing the fly-fishing guide sub-culture to life in this entertaining and sometimes poignant modern novel. I live in Montana and am on the fringes of this particular group and laughed out loud and in fondness during several passages. The tragedy near the end of the book keeps it from becoming too sweetness-and-light and kinda shook me up a bit. The only thing that annoyed me was the main character's chronic indecision--figure it out already! But then, I guess that's pretty true-to-life too.

If your a fly fishermen or fly fisherman "wannabe", the story should get you. If you have flyfished and/or spent time in the Montana, Colorado or Wyoming "outback" you should enjoy this book. The characters are interesting and their stories ring true to my knowlege of and experienceswith young outdoor types trying to make a living doing what they love to do. I did find the dialogue between Marshall, Molly, Daisy, and the others, at times, disconcerting or unrealistic. I thought they were using words and discussing topics in terminology that did not fit the characters.
That was a minor annoyance to me, overall, I enjoyed losing myself in Marshall's anxieties, challenges, and, [I think Jeff Hull's] concern about trout habitat for lovers of the outdoors and the trout fishing experience