To write a novel lampooning the looking-glass world of Blairite government must have given Torday as much gruesome fun as he gives his readers. But to take the victims of his satire and make them players in a parable about the mystery of belief and its transforming power - this was in itself an act of faith. Salmon Fishing is extraordinary indeed, and a triumph. As an arabist and resident of Yemen, my few criticisms are too pedantic to mention. Except, perhaps, one: khat (or qat) is not a narcotic but a stimulant. I chew it every day, and read the book on it in two vertiginous goes. Not that I needed the qat; the story is stimulant enough.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday - Complete Review Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday - Complete Review

For the first three-quarters of the film, it stayed faithful to the book, and I even recognised some of the dialogue.

The ruling party want to take advantage of the situation, but they do not want to dirty their hand in any way. They only want to show that they are on the right side, and if something terrible happens, it was because of these private institutions doing things, not the party. I saw the movie when it first came out, but don't really recall much about it, other than that I enjoyed it. I don't even remember the ending, which people tell me is different to the book (being more suitable for Hollywood than Torday's ending), but I found the book's ending quite poignant. It has definitely made me want to watch the movie again. I can honestly see why. It's the British kind of absurd he loved. It pays the crap out of those ridiculous people in London doing ridiculous things that his kind of Northerner doesn't get, and really, I only do as I live in the bureaucratic capital of another country. It's Yes Minister, but with fish and the Middle East. It is bloody funny.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday | Book Review Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday | Book Review

a b "Shooting commences on Salmon Fishing in the Yemen". BBC Press Office. 6 August 2010 . Retrieved 2 December 2012. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is modestly enjoyable, with a few decently drawn characters (Fred, the Sheikh, the gillie, Colin McPherson), but far too much of it falls short of what could be done with the material.

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He is a caricature, though too many of even the absurdest exchanges don't sound that different from what has gone on at 10 Downing Street in recent years .....