Caught by the River: A Collection of Words on Water

by Jeff Barrett, Robin Turner (Editor), Andrew Walsh (Editor)

'Pitched as an antidote to the 'modern slavery' of Blackberry's, mobiles etc, Jon Savage's memoir of navigating the pre-gentrification Docklands with Derek Jarman is a highlight, while poignant pieces about epic canoe trips, ice-skating through the Fens and innumerable idyllic tributaries constitute an extended billet-doux to the landscapes and idiosyncrasies of the British Isles' - (4 STARS) - "Mojo" magazine. From the Thames to the Telford, the Wear to the Wellsbourne; from canoe adventures to ice-skating, from angling to day-dreaming, "Caught by the River" is an exceptional new take on nature writing. Here, the writers take you on a journey down some of our most famous waterways and some of its best kept secrets. Funny, surprising, delightful and poignant, they all share one thing - a passion for the rivers of Britain and Ireland. The result is a uniquely modern take on an age old writing tradition - a rock 'n' rock nature book ever. The authors, many acclaimed and the rest soon to be, each contribute to a collection of writing as varied and unexpected as the rivers themselves. This evocative anthology of the best new nature writing is presented in a collection of essays on some of our favourite rivers, covering the entire length of the country. A diverse collection of authors share their thoughts, experiences and reminiscences on the river that means something special to them. Contributors include Gavin Pretor-Pinney who retraces a canoe trip his grandfather made 60 years ago, Roger Deakin writes about the history of ice skating in the fens, Jon Savage describes a trip down the Thames with the Sex Pistols, Irvine Welsh recounts the courtship rituals witnessed by the River Forth, plus there are many more contributors including Bill Drummond, Edywn Collins, John Niven, Jarvis Cocker, and Chris Yates to name a few.

Genres: Nature, Natural History, Nonfiction, Memoir

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[sisterimapoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great selection, with some pieces appealing to me more than others. I was less interested in the details of fishing, but captivated by people's passions as they talked about the waterways dear to their hearts. Pieces by people I'd heard of and those I hadn't. And very important to honour our waterways when they, among so many other aspects of our environment, constantly battle threat.

[Kevin Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this. Every chapter takes you on a relaxing journey down rivers while observing the surroundings, and releases any negativity from the day. An essential part of your wellbeing. Not letting this book go. One of the best I have ever had. Cannot recommend enough

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book was bought for me as a Christmas present from a friend in 2009 and was a perfect bedside table book to dip in and out of.
Evolving from the website about angling, music and culture, caughtbytheriver.net, this is a collection of stories, essays and musings about the varied rivers of Britain. Covering many of the usual suspects, The Severn, The Ouse, The Irvine and The Thames, and quite a few lesser known treasures, this book allows us to while away the hours in the countryside with the authors. Sharing a passion for rivers the authors too are an interesting array of journalists, known writers and musicians. Frank Cottrell Boyce and Irvine Welsh sit alongside Jarvis Cocker and Edwyn Collins, Roger Deakin alongside Lord Peregrine St Germans, at home describing currents, Kingfishers and shopping trolleys.
The subjects are as varied as the writers. There are a fair amount of remembered fishing tales, but also canoeing adventures, childhood wanderings of legendary proportions, as well as rivers as personalities that we live with and provide a sense of place and stability, or a little known peaceful retreat. Among my favourites were The River Cary with author and journalist Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Tickling Fish by Lord Peregrine St Germans, or Way Across the River by punk historian Jon savage. To be truthful though there was not a single chapter I did not find enjoyable.
As I said, this was perfect to read before sleep because it was so relaxing and each chapter was reasonably short. The words are peppered with illustrations by Robert Gibbings and John Richardson making this book very special. You can buy some of the maps as prints from the caughtbytheriver website.
The blurb on the back describes the book as 'a uniquely modern take on an age old writing tradition -a rock 'n' roll nature book even'. Highly recommended for not just anglers, but lovers of the British countryside, and for those who appreciate the quiet moments we enjoy by our waterways.

[Godzilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully warm and engaging collection of stories and memories of rivers and their environs.

Contributors include music industry insiders, rubbing shoulders alongside poets, fishermen and sundry flotsam and jetsam.

It didn't include my own two favourite rivers: the Duddon, with happy childhood memories, and the Tees with it's unique transporter bridge, surrounded by Blade Runner-esque scenery and grimy, working associations.

However there really is something for even the most hard hearted individual in here - the evocation of time spent by both quiet and fast running water is magical and spellbinding at times.

It's full of short and sharp stories, which take different angles on the mysteries and experiences of water, and made me yearn to be there, alongside, sharing the moments.

Great stuff to dip into (no pun intended!)

[John Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of short stories about British rivers. Features a lot of middle aged musicians like Jarvis Cocker, Edwyn Collins, geezer from Underworld, chap from KLF...

Great stuff. Could write one myself.