This has not been a great start to the year. So far, in 2019, I've attempted 4 books: two I completed but were a 2 and 3 star and 2 I've now discarded. And, unfortunately, it is to this pile that dear Salar the Salmon belongs.

I bought this book, somewhat because of nostalgia. I really loved Tarka the Otter as a kid. I remember it was a bit of a slog and it took me a few tries but goodness I was 8 years old! Of course it was hard. Turns out, that youngster was onto something as this, my second Williamson, was a trial as well.
Look, the book's beautiful inside and out: beautiful ink drawings fill the volume, the typsetting is clear, the paper is creamy. The writing is very nice.
But ultimately, no matter how you dress it up with nice writing and exciting predators, the life of a salmon is just not that interesting.
I made it 100 pages in and just wanted to be doing anything other than reading the next 100. So I'm giving up. 8 year-old me is definitely unimpressed with my lack of tenacity. 28 year-old me is over it.
DNF'd at page 102.

Such a unique and beautiful book - stunning and poetic language, so descriptive - really quite a feat! Lots of the moon and the sun, the seasons, birds and baby otters, troops of ducks and seals. Salmon, trout, lamprey, eels, the fox, horses, the heron - all characterised, and their habits and quirks revealed. So many gorgeous and heart-rending moments, and really all so spiritual. Henry Williamson clearly connected to nature on a very special level. It made me hungry for the outdoors. It took me a while to get through this book, simply because of the amount of detail (so detailed - hard work sometimes), and I did not want to miss any of it by lightly reading. But, I have learned so much!
I have to say I never had a particular interest in aquatic life before, and this book has opened up a whole new world. Basically, I am now obsessed with fish! It's an extremely educational and enlightening story in terms of river and sea life - the natural world in general - and I have a newfound appreciation and awe for it.
The story follows Salar the salmon, as he travels from the sea back up river, to where he hopes to continue the cycle again. Along the way we witness his struggles and his battles, his joys and triumphs. It's one hell of a journey. I was as worn out as Salar when I'd done some lengthy reading. I never considered fish as emotional creatures, and it's true Williamson does lend some personification for the sake of the story, but I became so immersed in Salar's life and genuinely empathetic towards his highs and lows. There were lots of disturbing and uncomfortable moments - some that were more digestible due to being natural and the way of water-life (attacks and fighting, escaping/not escaping from predators) - and some that were really just so sad (descriptions of what the fish goes through when being fished). I felt as panicky and scared as Salar a lot of the time. Have to admit some of it also repulsed me - fungal disease and sea-lice, fish eating fish and one another's eggs. But what an insight! Near the end there is also a great description of a particular spawning scenario which is quite heart-warming and funny in parts.
Overall, a tremendous book and Henry Williamson was a very clever man.

Falle ddim mor hawdd i'w charu â Tarka the Otter, ond yn wych o lyfr, sy'n mynd â'r darllenydd tu mewn i groen y pysgodyn a sawl anifail arall sy'n byw yn, ac wrth, yr afon.