Looking Through Water

by Bob Rich

More than one man’s journey to self-awareness, this is a raw, honest coming-of-age story that reveals the true meaning of family.

In Looking Through Water, William McKay finds himself reliving his past to help his troubled grandson, Kyle, deal with the present.

William’s story starts on an Adirondacks lake and wends its way through Manhattan to the Florida Keys. Colorful characters from the old man’s past come to life to help him tell an unforgettable story full of surprises and suspense. Fueled by nature’s fury, men are yanked out of their comfort zones and thrown together to confront life and death. Just as William appears to be on the brink of permanent unmooring, a stranger unexpectedly arrives to provide the tethering he has always sought.

Looking Through Water twists and turns as old wounds are revealed, wrongs are redressed, lives are threatened, understanding surfaces, and love arrives. With his grandfather’s past laid bare, Kyle must ultimately face how he might shape his future.

This story explores the emotions that make up the intricate tapestry of family structure by pulling at the threads of truth, lies, and misunderstandings.

195 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

BOB RICH was first exposed to the art of storytelling in summer camps in northern Ontario. Growing up, reading Hemingway inspired him to write. Living on the shores of Lake Erie and the Florida Keys provides him with a wealth of his own tales to tell. He is the author of three books: Fish Fights, The Fishing Club and The Right Angle and co-author of Secrets of the Delphi Cafe. LOOKING THROUGH WATER is his first novel.

Reviews

[Saanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ cute and fast read

[Jason Schneeberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing and Netgalley for the review copy. The official release date for this book is November 3rd 2015!

LOOKING THROUGH WATER is a simple, straight to the point, coming of age novella for author Bob Rich.

The story revolves around a man trying to connect with his grandson during a day of fishing, as he recalls the moment in his life that changed him for the better in every way.

This was definitely a heartwarming tale that can be enjoyed in a single, afternoon sitting. My only complaint is the timeline for technology is off in the book; the lead character, William, has a mobile phone in 1976 and the mobile phone wasn't first introduced until 1981. This error is throughout the book, but if you can over look that, it's certainly a novella worth reading. I give this one a 3/5!

[Linda Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast reading book. a tale of great grandfathers, grandfathers and grandsons relationships centered around fishing. The author's writing of their relationships throughout the book were so well done that it made me tear up at the ending of the book.

[Ava L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 The princess bride but w fishing and daddy issues

[Scott Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was impressed with the simplicity of the storytelling style.

[Nicolas Valin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. Have no words to describe it. I will leave the comments that other people did that are in the back of the book... I think those comments will grasp the story feelings better than me:

“Daily demands so often lead us astray from what we care about most. Looking Through Water calls us back. With wit and wisdom, Bob Rich reminds us that a conversation held on the open water is analogous to life—a little solitude on the surface is just what we need to ponder its depth.” —Sandy Moret, Florida Keys Outfitters

“Everyone who is or has a son, daughter, father, or grandfather will see parts of themselves and their families in this beautifully crafted book. I love the way Bob Rich weaves multiple coming of age stories together in a clear and touching way.” —Robert Nutting, Chairman of the Board, Pittsburgh Pirates

“Looking Through Water is a powerful novel of male bonding and fractured relationships. The journey through water and fly fishing is one of forgiveness for three generations of men; a father, a son and finally a grandson. In his fast moving narrative, Bob Rich asks us to consider the trappings of a material life and the healing forces of the sea.” —Susannah Marren, author of Between the Tides

“This is a moving story of self-discovery and redemption which climaxes in a superbly told fishing-tournament off the Florida Keys. It is at once an adventure, a meditation on what it means to be a man, and a magnificent novel.” —Bernard Cornwell, author of The Last Kingdom

“As with any great work of fiction, Bob Rich’s Looking Through Water is really about a profound truth. In this case, that truth is about family—about fathers and sons, and grandfathers and grandsons—and the sometimes stormy seas that must be navigated to find a safe harbor.” —Monte Burke, author of Saban: The Making of a Coach

“At the same time a gripping, fast-paced, hard-to-put-down fishing adventure story, and a wise, big-hearted look at four generations of father/son relationships. The result is nothing less than one hell of a good read!” —Charles Gaines, author and outdoorsman

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story line, but writing was mediocre!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a really heart-felt easy read. It's (probably) not going to to make you weep. I doubt that it'll make you giggle and kick your feet. It's a simple book with a good story about reconnection and letting go.

I read this book because I know that there is a movie adaptation called Blood Knot that is going to be coming out in the next year or so. Even though this book is not insanely complex, I do think it's going to make a really good movie. Being able to see this story on a screen will really help to elevate this story to an engaging drama - if the creators follow the guidelines and structure that Bob Rich laid with this novel. If they take the bare minimum of this book to make the movie, who really knows the ways they could twist it.

All this to say, it was a good book, and I'm looking forward to the film.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded

“What’s said on the boat, stays on the boat. That’s the fisherman code.”

I won’t lie, I only wanted to read this book cause Walker Scobell and Michael Douglas are going to be in the movie adaptation. At first I was confused on why the movie is going to be called “Blood Knot,” but now I get it and I like it better.

While I was more invested in the present day story and wish we had more of that, the parallels between William and Leo and William and Kyle were written so beautifully. It was so raw and relatable to see intergenerational family issues play out and be talked about, essentially a blood knot being tied.

Grandpa William also had some really good advice that anyone could use :)

[Garth Mailman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parenting is a person’s most important role. Parents learn on the job and they make mistakes. Sooner or later all children learn their parents aren’t perfect. Kyle has just experienced the break-up of his parent’s marriage. His grandfather William tells him about his last days with the father who abandoned him when he was eleven as they fish on Loch Loon.

[Victoria Vivente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking Through Water is a perfect read for book clubs, fathers and sons, and anyone who appreciates a thoughtful, character-driven story about healing family wounds. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes the most important conversations happen not face-to-face, but side-by-side, looking out at the water.

[Isabella Swanepoel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
Story telling at it's best

[Liz Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked on the movie. Michael Douglas, Cameron Douglas

[Faye Irani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,4/5, t was wel een cute boekje.
Beetje anders dan dat ik had verwacht wel, soms een beetje saai ook.
Maar nog altijd leuk en het had een mooi einde :)

[Merritt Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t as close to boring as I thought a book about a fishing competition would be. I actually enjoyed the interesting storylines and nice structure. Can’t wait for the film!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very pleasant read written by a great Buffalonian.. An intergenerational story which alternates between a grandfather and grandson, and the grandfather's relationship with his own father in his own life. The story is set in three places: the family's home and lake in the Adirondack mountains, NYC and the town of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Also recommend for people who enjoy a good fishing tale!

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel about a grandfather reflecting on his life and guiding his grandson through trials and tribulations and understanding of human nature. A sweet story with great adventures. I think it is scheduled to be a movie.

[Chrisie August · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple story of family and family dynamics. Very short read (or listen in my case).