The Midnight Fish & Other Stories

by Scott Bowen

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970547501
• ISBN13: 9780970547507
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: The Morris-Lee Publishing Group
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Scott Bowens went to my highschool

I actually haven't read this book, but I it's funny because earlier today Mr. Bowen's came into our English class as a guest speaker to talk about American Literature and such. Apparently, he also graduated from my high school(Hopewell Valley Central High School) sometime in the late 80's. I just found all this ironic and a little funny so I thought I'd share.

Bowen captures the essence of fishing

This book is fantastic. Every fisherman should have this book in his library and read it before the first trip each year. Bowen's work is inspiring. Bring us more!

A good read even for us non-fishing types

I'll admit up front that I purchased this book because I am familiar with the author, having grown up in the same neck of the NJ woods as Mr. Bowen. If that makes me bias, so be it. Let me also say that the only fishing I have ever done is for sunnies, and that was many, many moons ago. I think I used a stick with a string and God only knows what kind of bait -- not exactly high tech gear, even back then. Despite my inexperience, I found these stories charming, witty, and down right enjoyable. The "Midnight Fish," "The Fishing Son," and " Mudfish" were my favorite tales. I highly recommend this book to anyone, and look forward to future works from this author.

Big Fish

Scott Bowen has written a gem of a book. The Midnight Fish and Other Stories is more than a collection of tales about fishing. He uses fishing as a base for exploring human relationships, among family, among friends, among strangers. That is not to say that the excitement of fishing is neglected. The author thoroughly knows his business, whether it's surf-fishing, trout fishing, small-mouth-bass fishing, stripper fishing, inlet fishing, or deep-sea fishing: the authentic details are all there. You know the author has stalked these fishes himself. He knows the language, technical and emotive. And fishing provides the line that ties all the stories together. But the reason I prize these stories is for their quirks and twists concerning human relationships and character. There's Uncle Jake of "Jake's Arm," who converts the narrator from Zebco spin casting to fly fishing--but the story is really about how Jake lost his arm, and the consequential complications caused in a family relationship. Then there's the one about John Irving--not the real John Irving, but some folks think he is. There's the animal-rights, neo-hippy of "Mudfish," who throws a hitch into a good day of fishing in the Swamp. Then there's Uncle Seamus.... I could go on--there's a marvelous menage of characters inhabiting the book. But you need to get the book yourself and see just how good it is.

Superb Author - Scott Bowen

I picked up this book because I liked the title, and to be honest I was hoping for something more than the usual fishing stories. I was pleasantly surprised. I don't fish much, but all a person needs is a basic working knowledge of fishing, or a good imagination, to enjoy these stories. Bowen's finely crafted tales are about how people live in and out of the habit of being an angler, and how outdoor pursuits like this become layered with our interior lives (indoors and in our heads). The writing style is highly readable, and the stories easily draw you in. Both male and female readers will find characters they can latch on to. As a writer Bowen sits somewhere between Thomas McGuane and Nick Lyons. The best stories are "Jake's Arm," "The Midnight Fish," "The Fishing Son," "Golfing Buddies," and "The Grand Slam."