Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers

By: John Gierach

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In his latest fresh and original collection, Gierach shows us why fly-fishing is the perfect antidote to everything that is wrong with the world.

In Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers, Gierach looks back to the long-ago day when he bought his first resident fishing license in Colorado, where the fishing season never ends, and just knew he was in the right place. And he succinctly sums up part of the appeal of his sport when he writes that it is "[A]n acquired taste that reintroduces the chaos of uncertainty back into our well-regulated lives".

Lifelong fisherman though he is, Gierach can write with self-deprecating humor about his own fishing misadventures, confessing that despite all his experience, he is still capable of blowing a strike by a fish "[I]n the usual amateur way". He offers witty, trenchant observations not just about fly-fishing itself, but also about how one's love of fly-fishing shapes the world that we choose to make for ourselves.

©2020 John Gierach (P)2020 Tantor

A long time reader...

first time listener. It's great to hear each story unfold and go along for each cast and character.

Never get tired of his stories

I look forward to the next book. As a fisherman I can relate to so many things.

As good as all his books

I listen to his books while driving to go fishing and they always remind me why I love being in a river.

Perfection.

This is the title I gift to my friends, not just fly-fishing friends. These words, paired with Colacci's delivery, is one of my very favorite things. Chapter 19 Up In Michigan is one of the most beautiful tributes to a friend that I could imagine and I listen to it frequently. Thank you John, for your beautiful words, and thank you David, for your perfect performance of this amazing book.

Familiar places and familiar characters of any fisherman’s experience

Gierach and Colacci make an impeccable team. Colacci’s performance for near perfect with the literary voice of Gierach. I imagine if I ever meet John I’ll be surprised by the way he sounds. Gierach excels at making you feel like one of the guys or gals sharing a campfire exchanging stories. Sure, they are all about fly fishing but they are also about place, people, relationships, landscape, philosophy, and living right. I appreciated the midwestern locations in this book. I recognized many of the “fish dogs” - think my lab thought the story was about her. I’m always sorry when his books are finished. I miss the conversations while I do the chores around the farm. My Dad would have been John’s age. I’m quickly approaching 50 and it gets harder and harder to find sage advice. Gierach, stay safe and keep writing!

The consummate for fish tales.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Geirach’s story telling. The first I have listened to vice read. Now I want to go back and listen to the others.

absolutely beautiful

never read anything by John Gierach before, but I look forward to exploring more of his writing now!! the book is enticing, profound, poetic, and approachable for non fly fishers too! can't say enough good things really. if you love contemplating life and nature in any way,this book is for you.

Relaxing to hear

This book was relaxing to listen to but read like a Sunday morning comic strip, sort of like one long sentence that dropped the end period and left me wondering, "What on earth was the premise of that thought?" Lovely story-line but so sleepy and slow it felt un-engaging. All said, I liked the story and my criticism would be only that at no point did my heart rate rise at all listening to it.

Flatter than earlier books

Gierach’s earlier books do a wonderful job of conveying the miraculous that hides just under the surface of sporting life. This book is much more of a chronicle of the day in day out. He continues to craft lovely prose, but this collection lacks the glimpses into the sublime.