If you think the book title unlikely imagine
the reception the idea gets from Dr Fred Jones, fisheries expert at the
quasi-governmental National Centre for Fisheries Excellence.
But the request comes from an influential
Yemeni Sheikh and when the Prime Minister’s spin doctor sees some PR benefits
and gets involved, Dr Jones has no alternative to working up a feasibility
study, aided and abetted by the efficient and attractive consultant Ms Harriet
Chetwode-Talbot.
Although the political wind blows hot and
cold, the Sheikh’s faith is unshakeable and his purse is bottomless, so Dr
Jones’ workable if costly scheme finds itself moving off the drawing board into
implementation, the questions are: what will be the political fallout in both
countries and more crucially will the fish cooperate?
The tale unfolds through a dossier of
documents – governmental and personal e-mails, witness statements, letters,
press cuttings and diary extracts. The device works quite well. The existence
of the dossier is an early indication that we’re heading for an unfortunate
event - personal, political or physical - and a sense of foreboding grows
steadily without giving away too much too soon.
Beginning as almost a comedy of manners, as
genteel official correspondence bounces around, the book develops, adding
touches of pathos as we gain insight into the personal lives of Fred and
Harriet, and spirituality as the Sheikh expounds his philosophy of faith, hope
and love.
I really enjoyed the first, funny section of
the book and raced through the early pages; the later stages were slower
possibly due to their more contemplative nature or possibly due to a
sub-conscious desire to delay the unknown but inevitable sticky end lying in
wait at its conclusion.
It is a good read, thoroughly recommended.
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