Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

An area where you can discuss books about angling, classic tackle, angling literature, your favorite authors, old and new, and any upcoming books you see of interest and of course all the classics as well.

Moderator: Whitefish Press

Post Reply
bob2935
Master Guide
Posts: 996
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#1

Post by bob2935 »

I absolutely love Robert Traver's Trout Madness. It has to be in my top five all time fishing stories books. Have reread so many times. Loved his style of writing, the humor and the stories themselves. Brilliant stuff for sure. The book never bores me. Also have Robert's Trout Magic and really hate this book for so many reasons. The writing does not seem as humorous, the style of writing seems so different and the stories flat and uninteresting. For me it seems that Trout Magic was written by another person. Just today I tried to read a short story and could not finish it. I can pick up Trout Madness and find enjoyment though I have read every story so many times.

Do any fellow other book fanatic's feel the same way on the second book? Are there any theories or facts on why the book is such a tough read. Being a mental health provider I have always noted Robert's emphasis on alcohol, maybe Robert was more than a social user. My theory is that he might have been an alcoholic and the disease had taken over. Of coarse this is unsubstantiated and wonder if other collectors think> I just do not understand how you can writer such a gem as is Trout Madness in comparison the painful to read Trout Magic. Do like Winslow Homer's artwork on the cover. Then again maybe it is me.

Thanks Bohemian Bob

User avatar
quashnet
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 5335
Joined: 03/22/04 19:00

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#2

Post by quashnet »

This is the sort of topic that normally I would love to discuss, but your leading theory - "I didn't like the second book, so the author must have been drunk" - kind of drains all of the fun out of it. Plenty of authors have poured (so to speak) all of their good stories into a book and then, when the book proves to be a success, the publisher offers a fat contract for more of the same. The author writes the next book, of course, but there's a good reason why so few sequels can match, let alone exceed, the success of the original work, and the reason has nothing to do with alcohol.

This reminds me of the time when an angry critic demanded to know whether the novelist William Faulkner was drunk when he wrote his confusing and complicated stories, to which Faulkner smiled and politely replied, "Not always."
Please visit and bookmark the Paul H. Young Rod Database
Image
Other rod databases: Dickerson , Orvis , Powell

User avatar
GerardH
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1327
Joined: 06/20/19 08:45
Location: Wyoming, MN

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#3

Post by GerardH »

Huge Voelker fan here....

It's not nearly the day and night contrast for me as you've opined, but I do prefer Madness (and Anatomy of a Fisherman) over Magic and agree the judge's writing style did changed over the dozen years or whatever between publish dates. It felt like Traver was much more commentary in the latter book and lost some of the storytelling charm of his earlier effort, perhaps in part he was evolving as a writer; or, as Quash pointed out with many authors, suffered the sophomore jinx and the creative juices weren't there.

That said, "Morris the Rodmaker", "Women Fisherman: Are They for Real?", and "The Fishing Story Life Missed" were very enjoyable to me as well as giving some perspective of some legendary figures in the flyfishing world, plus the backstory of Anatomy was interesting and entertaining to me. Paging through Magic, the anecdote of the elderly angler that Traver spied on in "Fly-Fishermen: The World's Biggest Snobs" is one of my favorite stories. But while I think there are some gems to be taken away from Magic, but Madness was Traver's superior work IMO.

Regarding the alcoholic suggestion by the OP....Voelker was human, I have many friends who knew Voelker personally and I know the stories, so I'm not pollyannaish about Traver the person. However, the judge, more than any other writer, captured my imagination with his prose and pulled me into fly fishing a half century ago. I greatly admired him as a fly angler and his accomplishments in the legal and literary world, so I can ignore his personal shortcomings. I'll leave it at that.

User avatar
carl otto
Master Guide
Posts: 933
Joined: 01/31/10 19:00
Location: Michigan

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#4

Post by carl otto »

I agree the Trout Magic book fell short, for whatever reason, of the level Voelker established in Trout Madness. I have read a number of his books (He wrote 11!) (Anatomy of a Murder, Laughing Whitefish, Hornstein's Boy, Small Town DA, Jealous Mistress). I dearly love Danny and the Boys and highly recommend it. It is in the Mark Twain "like" vernacular and keeps one laughing throughout. I met him twice on my wanders through the UP in the 1980's. One time was dinner at the ancient and venerable (now since gone) Northwoods Supper Club outside of Marquette. For some reason a group gathered up and proceeded there for dinner. I was caught into the vortex. Now that was a night to remember, the story telling, the characters, the setting. Memorable, very memorable.

Carl

PYochim
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 6555
Joined: 12/23/07 19:00
Location: Wyoming

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#5

Post by PYochim »

What business is Mr. Traver’s alcohol consumption to anyone here?

bob2935
Master Guide
Posts: 996
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#6

Post by bob2935 »

What is this top secret stuff. He was a public figure that had some fame for good reason as he was great in the world of literature. Obviously many people suffer from the disease of alcoholism. I am not claiming this was an issue for him but I do wonder myself as I have enjoyed all of his books except the one mentioned and it was so different in style and content. Did read again his story on Kushner as suggested and another about Art Flick. Both were good reads. I own and have enjoyed all of Robert's books except for Small Town DA. which I did not know existed. I will start a search for that

Referring to my question as Pollyannaish seems to to me to be an over reaction and caddy. I posed a question and I did get some responses that could well be true such as when you gain the fame Traver received you might feel some pressure to crank stuff out by the publisher. Also old age could be a factor. It does seem that most responses agree that Trout Magic was not a great read but I understand this is subjective.

bob2935
Master Guide
Posts: 996
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#7

Post by bob2935 »

bob2935 wrote:
12/11/24 19:22
What is this top secret stuff. He was a public figure that had some fame for good reason as he was great in the world of literature. Obviously many people suffer from the disease of alcoholism and in no way a slight on the person. Did read again his story on Kushner as suggested and it was a good story. I own and have enjoyed all of Robert's books except for Small Town DA. which I did not know existed. I will start a search for that. Loved Danny and the Boys.

Referring to my question as Pollyannaish seems to to me to be an over reaction and caddy. I posed a question and I did get some responses that could well be true such as when you gain the fame Traver received you might feel some pressure to crank stuff out by the publisher that is not your best work. Also old age could be a factor. Who knows and we will never get an answer. It does seem that most responses agree that Trout Magic was not a great read but I understand this is subjective.

Carl, that had to be cool to meet Traver in person. I would have been in awe for sure. I read Trout Madness for the first time around the age of 14 while I worked as a busboy at a Catskill boarding house called the Bonnie View. It was well known for fly fisherman and even Dana Lamb was a regular though I did not meet him. I learned so much from some great fly fisherman. It is now the Beaverkill Valley Inn and my flies are sold in the lobby.

Happy Holidays

User avatar
GerardH
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1327
Joined: 06/20/19 08:45
Location: Wyoming, MN

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#8

Post by GerardH »

bob2935 wrote:
12/11/24 19:22


Referring to my question as Pollyannaish seems to to me to be an over reaction and caddy.
Bob:

Might I suggest you reread my post -- I said "I'm not so pollyannaish about Traver the person...", which means I"m referring to me not having any illusions that he had his challenges in life. Nowhere did I ever refer to you and how you made that leap puzzles me other than you're going out of your way to be offended. Take note that I was expressing my own opinion on Voelker and his writing, not casting judgement about yout.

Carl, outstanding anecdotes, thank you.

PYochim: Spot on.
Last edited by GerardH on 12/11/24 19:59, edited 3 times in total.

bob2935
Master Guide
Posts: 996
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#9

Post by bob2935 »

GerardH wrote:
12/11/24 19:53
bob2935 wrote:
12/11/24 19:22


Referring to my question as Pollyannaish seems to to me to be an over reaction and caddy.
Bob:

Might I suggest you reread my post -- I said "I'm not so pollyannaish about Traver the person...", which means I"m referring to myself and no one else. Nowhere did I ever refer to you and how you made that leap puzzles me other than you're going out of your way to be offended. Taka note that I was expressing my own opinion on Voelker and his writing, not casting judgement about you.

My mistake. I misinterpreted what you stated. I apologize.

User avatar
GerardH
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1327
Joined: 06/20/19 08:45
Location: Wyoming, MN

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#10

Post by GerardH »

Bob, no worries.

Have a happy holiday season.

bob2935
Master Guide
Posts: 996
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Re: Trout Madness vs. Trout Magic?

#11

Post by bob2935 »

GerardH wrote:
12/11/24 20:05
Bob, no worries.

Have a happy holiday season.
Thanks Gerald Thanks At times because of my occupation I do tend to over analyze outside of my job. It is a hazard of my profession though in general I mostly can leave my clinical work at the office. Happy Holidays everyone on this great forum










.

Post Reply

Return to “Book Talk”