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Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Audiobook, by Paul Torday Play Audiobook Sample

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Audiobook

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Audiobook, by Paul Torday Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Andrew Sachs, Crawford Logan, David Timson, Fenella Woolgar, John Sessions, Mark Perry, Peter Kenny, Samantha Bond, Andrew Marr, Ian Conrich, Neil Pearson, Various Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436162135

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

34

Longest Chapter Length:

39:36 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

31 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

15:10 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Author Paul Torday makes his debut with this clever absurdist novel. Fisheries scientist Dr. Alfred Jones is approached by an extravagantly wealthy sheik with a novel plan. To foster goodwill, the sheik would like to introduce salmon fishing to Yemen-the same Yemen that is largely a desert-and politicians think it's a great idea. "A remarkably assured first novel, this one is a pure delight."-Booklist, starred review

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"The author uses a crazy project (salmon fishing in the Yemen) as a basis to capture the importance of hope, faith and love. It is also a satire of the British political system. It is multilayered and very cleverly written. There is a nice blend of irony and humanity. I quite enjoyed it."

— Marlene (4 out of 5 stars)

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.59375 out of 53.59375 out of 53.59375 out of 53.59375 out of 53.59375 out of 5 (3.59)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 11
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A light enjoyable read that is easily devoured in a few sittings. It's a quirkily impressive debut novel from a 60 year old engineer/fisherman! It is laced with humour and optimism as well as taking a satirical swipe at Yes Ministering and spin doctoring. The format of diary extracts, emails, interviews and articles is used throughout to good effect to flesh out the story and main characters who are largely sympathetically drawn, though the machinations of the the PM's Director of Communications is rather overstated. A book that doesn't make fishing seem boring that is also shot through with tenderness and political insight. "

    — Nigel, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " OMG this took so much longer for me to read than usual! It took so much mental effort to actually pick it up and read, and I didn't really enjoy it that much... A few bits every now and again were less monotonous than the entire rest of the book, but on the whole, I found it really boring, and the ending ruined it for me... It's the first book I have EVER read that is worse than the movie, and that's saying something, 'cause the movie wasn't even that amazing, but it was much less depressing... "

    — Rosie, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A satire of western policies toward the Middle-East (and Afghanistan) - "why does the west want to replace our piety and poverty with consumer goods . . . and corrode our faith?" asks a character. It raises questions, too, of the nature of belief (can salmon really be transplanted into the rivers of Yemen?) "

    — Edward, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's something a little different and not the Hollywood ending that I feared when I discovered that it was made into a movie. The changing narratives kept the book fresh and gave it a different feel than most. "

    — Ian, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " lovely, funny, satirical and human. Read it! "

    — Lesley, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it...had no interest in salmon fishing until I read this "

    — Alex, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved the story and the mystery in this book and I especially loved the characters but there was just something about it which didn't quite deliver. "

    — Laurajane, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great first half, then descending into farce. Great premise, left feeling as though the end had been rather rushed. "

    — Moose, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a good book. I saw the preview for the movie and it looked pretty interesting, so I thought I'd read the book before I saw the movie. I really liked the 3 main characters, and I liked how the story was written through emails, letters, interviews, etc. It was fun to read it like that. "

    — Tanna, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a creative story and an unusual way to tell the story - diary entries, transcripts and email correspondence. I learned a lot about salmon and the Yemen. Also a timely story considering bin Laden's recent demise. Highly recommend it! "

    — Renee, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Liked it. Different, but goo. "

    — Simone, 11/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun delightful read! "

    — Laura, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " easy read, uplifting, sweet book. "

    — Liv, 6/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I Thought the Movie was better. "

    — Jeff, 5/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow. That was not the feel-good ending I was expecting. Not dark, but nobody happy in the end either. The journey to get there was very enjoyable, though. "

    — Suzanne, 12/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The characters weren't as well-developed as I'd like, and I found some of the segues tough to follow, but it was a reasonably entertaining read. "

    — Vikki, 10/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book - but then I'm British, and so is this book! I did wonder if other people would understand all the quirks and references to our political system, but the over all message, that it's possible to swim upstream against the current, really appealed to me! "

    — Janet, 5/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fabulous book, really enjoyed it. Recommended. "

    — Ronnie, 3/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a gem of a book. "

    — Lara, 11/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " original wacky idea. Light entertainment. Very one-dimensional characters. My mother called it 'chick-lit for men' - no descriptions of clothes, little romance ;-) "

    — Ruth, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really is about salmon fishing in the Yemen! A lovely read. "

    — Angela, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a fun book. I loved the narrative format it worked better for the story than straight narrative. "

    — Kyle, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a creative story and an unusual way to tell the story - diary entries, transcripts and email correspondence. I learned a lot about salmon and the Yemen. Also a timely story considering bin Laden's recent demise. Highly recommend it! "

    — Renee, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Disappointing. Could not decide whether it was Whitehall farce or serious drama and tragedy. I shall give the film a miss. "

    — David, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Liked this book much more than I thought I would. Interesting and snarky take on life in a big bureaucracy, as well as tidbits of how faith and hope can change lives. "

    — Molly, 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Silly premise and only bought it as it was in the pound shop! but draws you in nicely and is engaging, worth a read. "

    — Paul, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very witty and moving book. Loved the use of emails as the main method to tell the story. "

    — Sarah, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A cross between the Office and Yes Minister. Entertaining, with mostly cultural and geographic creditability "

    — Quinn, 3/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A cross between the Office and Yes Minister. A quirky novel, with accurate cultural and geographical elements. Definitely worth reading. "

    — Claire, 3/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While reading it I didn't appreciate the shifts in style but upon completion they made a bit more sense. "

    — Mo, 2/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " By the book's title it's obviously a satire. But it's more than that. A skeptic is transformed into a believer and for a few short moments the impossible becomes reality. An enjoyable read. "

    — Harry, 2/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Liking it. Very British. Enjoy reading the different phrasings and sayings. You realize the project can't succeed but there's a twist as to how it ends. A good read. "

    — Kayla, 2/9/2011

About the Narrators

Andrew Sachs may be best known as Manuel from the BBC show Fawlty Towers, starring John Cleese. His recent roles include guest appearances on Silent Witness, Doctors, and Holby City. His audiobook narration has won him seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.

Crawford Logan is a British actor best known for his work in radio. In 2006 he became the latest actor to play the eponymous hero Paul Temple in a revival of the long-running mystery series on BBC radio. In 2009 he narrated the BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, Newton and the Counterfeiter by Thomas Levenson.

David Timson is an actor, voice actor, and playwright. He is best known for his narration of The Complete Sherlock Holmes audiobook, in which he voices all 125 characters in the Holmes novels and short stories. His narrations have earned eight AudioFile Earphones Award.

Fenella Woolgar is an actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator. She has starred in films including Bright Young Things, Wah Wah, Vera Drake, and Scoop. On television, she played Agatha Christie in “Dr Who: The Unicorn and the Wasp,” and she also joined the cast of Case Histories for the BBC.

John Sessions is a highly versatile actor and comedian best known for his comic work in films such as My Night with Reg, In the Bleak Midwinter, and The Pope Must Die, as well as the television shows Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The New Statesman, and Spitting Image.

Mark Perry is a military and foreign-affairs analyst whose articles have appeared in the Nation, Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Politico, and Los Angeles Times, among other papers. He is the author of several books.

Peter Kenny, an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a talented and experienced actor, voice-over artist, singer, musician, and designer, with over twenty-five years of experience working in theater, film, television, and audio. He has achieved great critical acclaim for multicharacter recordings of audiobooks by authors such as Iain Banks, Christopher Priest, and Edmund St Aubyn.

Samantha Bond, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actress best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in several James Bond films, including Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies, and GoldenEye. Her many television credits include Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, Rumpole of the Bailey, and Downton Abbey. She is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and has appeared in multiple performances on Broadway and London’s West End. She starred opposite Dame Judi Dench in David Hare’s award-winning play Amy’s View at the Royal National Theatre.

Neil Pearson is an English actor who was educated at Woolverstone Hall, a boarding school in Suffolk. He is best known for his work on television, including such shows as All the Small Things, The State Within, Trevor’s World of Sport, and others.