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CommentsThe Middle Fork: Political Talk
By Tim HausermanPublished: November 21, 2009
What perfect timing! Here we are fresh from a contentious Presidential election and the everyday battles that have ensued, and of course the even more rancorous local drama over the school reconfiguration, when what plops onto my desk but “The Middle Fork: A Political Novel” by Rick Glaze. It’s a book about heated political discussions, with a dangerous kayak run and a romance thrown in for good measure.
The story revolves around a small group of people kayaking down a challenging section of the Salmon River in Idaho. The narrator, Jonathan, is a middle-aged widower. Mike is his former college roommate and fraternity brother; now a successful financial advisor. While the two sometimes choose to reminisce about their wilder college days, Mike also likes to expound on the zen of fishing. Simon is a gentle, friendly doctor originally from Iran, who becomes somewhat of a peacemaker in the discussions. Then there is the attractive 30-something Sonia, who is perhaps the most talented kayaker in the group. She has an MBA, works for a conservative periodical, and is not afraid to go toe-to-toe in a debate with Keith, the liberal protagonist and a professor who specializes in global warming and environmental issues and loves to convince everyone that he is the smartest one in the room. Finally, there is Derek, the river guide, portrayed as young, strong, fun-loving, and doing his best to make the trip a success.
In the early part of the book, political debates take center stage. While Keith and Sonia do most of the battling, the rest of the group remains on the sidelines. Jonathan bumbles along on the fence, trying not to offend anyone, while worrying about the impact of the heated discussions on the group dynamics. Meanwhile, he is busy wondering whether Sonia might be interested in him, and is later humbly surprised when she chooses him over the stud river guide.
The debate topics for Sonia and Keith include race and immigration, economics and global warming. Both debaters accurately portray their respective points of view, and the reader will most likely be cheering for the one who represents their own political stripe. Once the debaters’ emotions reach a fever pitch, however, the raging river takes center stage as the focus changes to survival – getting down the river in one piece.
At this point, Sonia uses her superior kayaking skills and some serious risk taking to rescue Keith from several dangerous situations, brought about by his overactive ego. I liked the concept of the book, and it flowed along nicely. The political arguments – and the people making them – came across as real. In fact most of the characters reminded me of people I had met before on my own guiding trips.
There were, however, a few issues that dampened my enthusiasm. I regularly kayak on Lake Tahoe, but apparently river kayaking has its own jargon. A river kayaker will appreciate the author’s descriptions of paddling, but others may wish he would explain things in terms that a landlubber would understand.
There was also this pesky little irritant that kept throwing me off the story. The book introduces you to a small group of characters, who are all in their own way an important part of the story. Derek is presented right up front as “the guide”: the person that everyone turns to for helping them out of tough situations. For a while you are given the impression that he is the only guide, but then several times the author will mention that “the guides” did this; or “the guide” did that when Derek is nowhere near the action. It sure would be nice if these invisible guides were given a brief introduction and made a small part of the story.
On the whole it was a page turner: exciting enough to keep you reading, but not too fluffy, deep or intense to turn you off. The political discussions were treated fairly and realistically. The rafting adventure kept you turning the pages, and the romance was well delivered. You can pick up a copy locally at The Bookshelf Stores in Tahoe City and Truckee, or online.
~ Discuss this article with the author. Email thauserman@moonshineink.com. Tim Hauserman wrote “Tahoe Rim Trail: The official guide for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.” He leads hiking trips for Tahoe Trips and Trails, and after reading this book has absolutely no interest in leading river kayaking trips.
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