Fish in a Stream in a Cave: Stories

by Ralph Maloney

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393084558
• ISBN13: 9780393084559
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fish in a Stream in a Cave

Ralph Maloney captured the angst ridden delusionial world of alcoholism in this marvelous collection of short stories, without the self-indulgent sentimentalism, preachiness or moralizing so often found in other attempts in this genre of writing. As the author himself stated: "A writer writes what he knows". Mr. Maloney knew alcoholism and struggled for years to write effectively in other genres but found that work false and wanting. He derived the title for this book from a quote by Jacque Cousteau, who found facisnation with fish he found that lived in a stream in a cave. With no light, the fish lacked any sense of direction and often spent their lives swimming upside down or sideways. An apt metaphore for the life of the alcoholic. Sadly, Ralph found his voice late in his life, which was cut short by alcoholism, and has left us a very limited amount of what is a rare, unflinching, honest view of the world seen through the bottom of a glass. This book is an overlooked treasure that will become a favorite for anyone who loves the craft of writing.