"The River Why" has instantly become one of my favorite books. In my opinion, this book would make a horrible film, because everyone who reads it almost surely paints vastly different pictures in their minds, and they come away with their own distinct interpretations. But I have no doubt that all readers will find bits and pieces of Duncan's lively and passionate characters in themselves and their own friends and family members. Some may just love "The River Why" for the obvious...the fishing, others because of his vivid descriptions of the landscapes and the environment, some because of the underlying conservation theme, and still others because of the philosophical quest at the heart of the story. I think what hooked me, though, was Duncan's ability to convey with only words (and quite often unrecognizable ones) emotions and experiences that would be seemingly impossible to express with only pen and paper. While relatively short, "The River Why" will run you through a gamut of emotions and have you yearning to be a part of the story yourself. I just couldn't put the thing down and cannot fathom anyone not falling in love with this closet masterpiece.

Besides the main story line, however, the book is excellent for several other reasons. The first is that it has a great supporting cast. Bill Bob, Gus's younger brother, in particular is one of the best child character in any novel I've read, and the rest of his family and neighbors are also developed well. They have great personalities, quirks, and are both insightful and humorous. Duncan also does a tremendous job bringing the environment to life. His descriptions bring the rivers and hills to life and allow the reader to imagine the beauty of the area. It is also a very funny book, so it flies by and is very enjoyable to read.

The River Why isn't a perfect book. Duncan's politics seeped in a little too much in a few instances, which would have been fine except Gus lives in an isolated world with problems to worry about other than the government and it just seems out of place when the Vietnam draft and war come up. The conclusion of the book is also disappointing after Gus marries--there are just too many unnecessary changes in his life. Thateing said, however, these small complaints don't hurt the book's overall impact and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in fishing, the environment, the Northwest, philosophy, or simply great writing. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all readers will come away with something new.