The Last Marlin: The Story of a Father and Son

by Fred Waitzkin

In a moving family memoir, the author of Searching for Bobby Fischer recalls his father's fierce dedication to fishing while his marriage crumbled around him. Reprint.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Fred Waitzkin was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1943. When he was a teenager he wavered between wanting to spend his life as a fisherman, Afro Cuban drummer or novelist. He went to Kenyon College and did graduate study at New York University. His work has appeared in Esquire, New York magazine, the New York Times Sunday Magazine, the New York Times Book Review, Outside, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, the Huffington Post, and the Daily Beast, among other publications. His memoir, Searching for Bobby Fischer, was made into a major motion picture released in 1993. His other books are Mortal Games, The Last Marlin, and The Dream Merchant. Recently, he has completed an original screenplay, The Rave. Waitzkin lives in Manhattan with his wife, Bonnie, and has two children, Josh and Katya, and two grandsons, Jack and Charlie. He spends as much time as possible on the bridge of his old boat, The Ebb Tide, trolling baits off distant islands with his family. His novel, Deep Water Blues, will be published in spring 2019. You can find more on Fred Waitzkin at his website or check out some exclusive content on Facebook.

Reviews

[Lee Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out okay but lost interest quickly.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book I read in preparation for a vacation to Bimini, the Bahamas. North Bimini has become somewhat more commercial since The Last Marlin was written, but South Bimini, where we stayed, remains much the same. Bimini has fantastically clear waters and is still known for its sport fishing, snorkeling and all water activities, for that matter. I thought the author made a valiant effort to avoid sounding self-absorbed, but how can that be achieved in an auto-biographical account? A well written and interesting story about a father and son relationship that was strained by marital discord between father and mother.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in Florida, cruising across to the Bahamas and big game fishing, this book brings back so many memories. The author describes in vibrant and colorful ways, the sounds and the sights of bill fishing. Yes, it was a man's time. As a female sportfisherman, I could take offense to this. But I don't, knowing with which the spirit that this story is told. My uncle Joey was a backcountry guide at Bud and Mary's. His neighbor, Ted Williams was mentioned in this book. This book brings me back to days of snorkeling on jetties, seeking out the enormous black grouper and watching the sunset over the mangroves.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I wanted insight in to his mother Stella Waitzkin's life. Stella was a NY artist.

[Jules Hernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but often left me feeling sad.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love memoirs. This one is good and has some interesting history.