A River Runs Through It

My son recommended the book "A River Runs Through It" during my recent visit to his place.it is a novella which is a part of a semiautobiographical collection of three stories written by Norman Maclean under the title "A River Runs Through It and Other Stories".The novella is noted for its detailed description of fly-fishing.Although most of us in India( including me ) don't understand much about fly-fishing,we can consider the description of fly-fishing as an excuse for dealing with a beautiful description of nature ,relation between man and nature,family bonds,inter personal relationships and a number of profound questions which have been raised and discussed in a manner reminiscent of "Walden Pond" by Thoroeau.


About Norman Maclean

Norman Maclean (1902-1990) was hired in 1931 as professor of English at University of Chicago. At the University he taught Shakespere and Romantic poets.Until his retirement in 1973,he had written a few academic papers,but had not written any work of fiction.After his retirement in 1973,at the insistence of his children Jean and John he began to write down the stories of his childhood and youth,which he liked to tell. The children often encouraged him in writing these stories.His first work of fiction was "River Runs Through It and Other Stories" which was published in 1976,when he was 74 year old.His second book "Young Men and Fire" (non-fiction) was published in 1992 posthumously.It was the winner of the National book critics circle award in 1993.

Publishing History

"The River Runs Through It and Other Stories was published by University of Chicago press.It was the first work of fiction to be published by University of Chicago press.
The publishing of this book was not advertised deliberately.People came to know about it by word of mouth and its mention by critics in their columns.Soon it was much talked about as "Never Advertised Book" and this in itself generated considerable publicity for it.
In 1977 the Pulitzer Prize committee for fiction recommended this book for the prize of that year.The Pulitzer Prize Board which can override recommendations of the jury,decided not to award the prize for fiction in 1977 for unknown reasons.

The Novella

The story concerns the Macleans,a Presbyterian family during early 20th century Montana where the father,a Presbyterian minister,and both sons share the passion of fly-fishing. It is through the prism of this passion that the life of the three and their opinions and attitudes have been reflected in the novella.Of the two sons the elder Norman is studious while the younger Paul is rebellious.The Novella begins with the first sentence "In our family there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing.We lived at junction of great trout rivers in
western Montana and our father was a Presbyterian minister and fly-fisherman who tied his own flies and taught others..........Unlike many Presbyterians he often used the word beautiful".
The story is presented by the elder son Norman who goes on one last fishing trip with his rowdy and troubled younger brother Paul in an attempt to bring Paul's life back on track.
A brief introduction of their early life is given.When Norman and Paul are growing up in 1920's Montana under the watchful eye of their father,the mornings are spent in school and religious study while the afternoons are devoted to fly-fishing in near by "Black foot river".Norman goes to the east coast for study in college and returns after six years.In the mean time Paul gets a job as a journalist in the local news paper and makes a niche for himself as a journalist.But he has also become a gambler and a hard drinker.Although flawed,Paul's character has a great degree of complexity.He is a man of integrity who cherishes basic human values above all.He has a native American girl friend.In the Montana of 1930's native Americans were not welcome in many establishments.He takes his girl friend to such a restaurant and fights for her with a person who makes a racist comment about her.Although the novella has no politics, one appreciates Paul's. Basic decency.He also cherishes the beauty and way of life in rural Montana of 20's and 30's and hence has preferred to stay there unlike his elder brother.Paul is also an expert fly-fisherman.Norman really appreciates his expertise in fly-fishing.Norman considers the elegance with which Paul performs fly-fishing as a beautiful piece of art(see the quote at the end).
Most part of the story is devoted to Norman's return home and his and Paul's summer together.As adults Paul is a rebellious journalist while Norman is a level headed academic and their conflicting lives and ideas are exhibited through several events and yet the bond between the brothers is very strong.The brothers are also strongly attached to their parents.When the brothers visit their old parents together,the affection of their mother for the sons,specially the younger Paul is described very tenderly.The sons now accompany their old father on a fishing expedition,which turns out to be their last fishing expedition together.In the words of the author "To my father the highest commandment was to do whatever his sons wanted him to do,especially if it meant to go fishing". During this expedition there is a beautiful dialogue between Norman and his father.The reference point is Paul.The father says "Help is giving part of yourself to somebody who comes to accept it willingly and needs it badly.So it is that we can seldom help anybody.Either we don't know what part to give or may be we don't like to give any part of ourselves.Then more often than not,the part that is needed is not wanted.And even more often we don't have the part that is needed".
Similarly when Norman and Paul go on a fishing expedition on a hot summer noon,there is a beautiful passage which describes the relation and oneness between Man,God and Nature--"I sat there and forgot and forgot,until what remained was the river,the river that went by and I who watched.On the river the heat mirages danced with each other and then they danced through each other and then they joined hands and danced around each other.Eventually the watcher joined the river and there was only one of us.I believe it was the river"
The story combines beautiful language with foreboding sadness.All through the novella,the reader becomes increasingly anxious about Paul who ultimately dies a violent death.The parents are heart-broken but react to the news stoically.Norman is grief stricken.The story ends with a final passage full of profound and mystical meaning--"Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it.The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from basement of time.On some of the rocks are the words and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters"

The Film

In 1992 a film was made with the same title by Robert Redford ,starring Brad Pitt(Paul)and Craig Shefferd(Norman) etc. The film won academy award for best cinematography in 1993.It was also nominated for two other academy awards,including best adapted screen-play and best music.

An Interesting Trivia

The following quote from "River Runs Through It" is displayed at the base of Michael Jordon's statue at Chicago united centre---"At that moment I knew,surely and clearly,that I was witnessing perfection.He stood before us,suspended above the earth,free from all it's laws like a work of art,and I knew,just as surely and clearly,that life is not a work of art,and that the moment could not last.