Customer Reviews

Salt In Our Blood: The Memoir of a Fisherman's Wife

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This memoir is informative about the life of a fisherman's wife, and makes for an enlightening and moving reading experience.

The life of a fisherman can be a treacherous one filled with peril and potential death. The life of a fisherman's wife may be worse due to the unknowing and non-stop confusion one faces. "Salt in Our Blood: The Memoir of a Fisherman's Wife" is the reflections of a homemaker when the family business is doing a job with a shockingly high mortality rate. The daily worry, the daily challenges, and the unfortunate event of what they fear most occurring. "Salt in Our Blood" is very much recommended for anyone with family in the commercial fishing industry.

In December 2001, I read a newspaper article that gave the bare details of What Happened, much of which will always be a mystery. But aside from the names, I was able to imagine only vaguely the human side of this story.

Last week a friend put this book in my hands, and I haven't stopped reading it. Going back, following the timeline, noting how the book breaks sharply in the middle, when everything changes... beautiful. On my first read, I did not stop from the introduction until the last page. To me, that's one litmus test of a good book that tells a captivating story. It's honest writing as well, real open-a-vein storytelling, but done with love, courage, and precision.

Michele Longo Eder's book provides remarkable insight into the life of Oregon fishermen and their wives and families. Written from the diary she kept for a period of a few short years, it reflects her agony and the stoic way in which her family deals with the loss of her son, as well as many other aspects of her life as a fisherman's wife, mother and practicing lawyer. Well written and a must read for those who want a clear picture of life on the Oregon coast.

SALT IN OUR BLOOD recounts the moving story of a commercial fisherman's wife, who is both a mother and a successful attorney on the Oregon coast. Set against the sudden loss at sea of the Eders' oldest son, Ben, it is a tale of indescribable sadness but also one of resilience and courage - a stunning testament to one family's strength and the memory of their remarkable son.

I enjoyed this book on so many levels. Autobiographies are often the most interesting books to me. Going inside someone's life - with their facilitation - might just be voyeurism at it's best. Michele allows us in with honesty and heart. The human, emotional side of this story is compelling. From the first page to the last page. Thank you, Michele, for the honor of being invited in.

And then there is the learning. I learned, learned, learned (read the book and that little phrase will make more sense to you) about commercial fishing. I have been living on the Oregon Coast for just one year and was so wanting to understand the fishing I see going on all around me. I understand much more about the challenges, and the joys, of commercial fishing. It's hard, dangerous work that may or may not pay off financially each year. And they feed us. As her son Ben said "Mom, we feed people". Oh boy. Seafood - the best.

Read this book. It's a great book.

Dorothy

Michele Longo Eder's memoir, written in journal form, covers the span of one year in her multi-faceted life. The year, 2001, begins in a somewhat ordinary way, as ordinary a way as possible for this fisherman's wife, mother, lawyer, political activist and more. Regrettably it ends so very sadly with the loss of one of her sons at sea. While this event is the climax of Eder's journal and understandably comprises numerous entries, what leads up to it is in itself fascinating.

Eder's description of the commercial fishing industry, its perils and its joys is enlightening. She and her family live on the Oregon coast where fishing for sablefish and crab can at times mean feast or famine. She writes about various aspects of the industry including how quotas are imposed and prices set, the threat of strikes and more. The impact on fishermen/women and their families is direct and can be devastating--all that before they set foot on their boats. Her descriptions of life at sea, the unpredictability of the weather and the ocean are hard-hitting and eye-opening. This is especially true in the latter part of her journal where she talks of the loss of her son Ben and the massive efforts to locate him and his comrades. We also are exposed to the wonderful community of fishing families, including Coast Guard personnel, who band together in this trying time. Unfortunately it is something that these people have experienced before and know without a doubt that it will visit them again.

I found this book difficult to put down. Like most people, I suppose, I'd never given much thought to the commercial fishing industry and the very high risks attached to it. It was difficult to read of Ben's loss but it did not overwhelm the overall story that Michele Longo Eder is telling here. What she did was make me pay attention. This is a compelling and enlightening read.

by Janet Caplan

for Story Circle Book Reviews

reviewing books by, for, and about women

In the fall of '09, I attended a book reading/signing of this author at my local library. We spoke briefly. She is very nice and you can she has a very strong spirit. I'm currently reading the book and it's very a very difficult book to put down. It's a book I would definitely recommend to anyone who would like to know more about the Oregon commercial fishing culture, and yes it's sort of a guide on how to cope with the loss of loved one...but it's much more than that. It's a bit like Erma Bombeck meets Captain Phil Haris. It's a slice of life as it were.

One of the reviewers here complained about the use of profanity in the book, but I would say just overlook the words and really pay attention to the rest...otherwise one will miss a lot of the heart of the book. Personally, I really appreciate how author in her book keeps it all real, even if she does use the occasional four letter word to describe it. After all, let's face it, fishermen are know for salty language, so it's definitely realistic. Also, it makes the book a lot more interesting when you know the author isn't trying to be a perfect little angel or another Oprah. I really felt that Ms. Eder did a very good job in keeping the book personal, honest and approachable. You almost feel like a fly on the wall when reading some parts of the book, and as a mother myself, I could definitely relate when she talks of her interactions with her adult children.

I will warn you from the get-go: this book definitely packs an emotional 1-2 punch! Even though I'd only met the author once and I never knew her son, when I was reading her account about the first days after Ben's death, and the emotions she went through with interacting with various friends and family, I cried. You couldn't help by cry. You could just read the pain in the words. Mind you, there were parts that made me smile and even laugh. I loved the part where she talks to the FBI agents who were sent to check on her as a security risk. Her explanation about why she wanted to stay at the same hotel where Pres. Bush was at was hilarious! I just about rolled on the floor laughing when I read about how she dealt with those movers who tried to get her to pay more money to continue the same job! I think I would've done the same thing in her shoes.

At any rate, it's a book I highly recommend because it's books like this and television programs like Deadliest Catch that truly gives me a deep appreciation for those men and women who risk their lives at sea in putting the food on the nation's tables.

I received this book on time, it was in the condition stated. The only thing I didn't really like was that it was from a Library and had a rental sticker and stamp on it. This book has a special meaning to me because my daughters fiance was one of the crew members lost at sea. Many tears were shed reading this book. As a mother to read about your daughters pain and loss is very touching. The author Michelle Eder was the co-owner of the vessel and her son was also on the boat. Her story of her loss is very touching and emotional. This is a good read. I recommend this seller, and will use them again Thanks.

I am an avid reader of many types of books, and this one is a winner, in all areas. It is captivating, and informative as well as heartbreaking and honest. I learned many things about the commercial fishing industry that I was not aware of, and then was invited into a families life to share one of the most gut wrenching painful experiences anyone can imagine.What an honor! It takes alot of courage to open that door and let people in, to see your pain and your vunerability, yet at the same time sharing and teaching people about the realities of life and death. As a mother who today still deals with the loss of a child, I say to you; "Thank you, bravo and well said!