What Water Holds

by Tele Aadsen

Tele Aadsen's WHAT WATER HOLDS speaks to anyone who has fallen under the spell of the sea. Tele Aadsen met the sea as a child when her parents traded jobs as veterinarians for a migratory life shared with sea birds, salmon, and fishermen. In the mist of the Tongass rainforest, Tele learned to explore life within endless shades of gray, coming to know firsthand how fine the line between life and death and the precarious balance of sea, land, and sky. She's spent the four decades since trolling for salmon off Southeast Alaska. In WHAT WATER HOLDS, a series of lyrical essays first shared at Oregon's FisherPoets Gathering, Tele examines questions of equity, identity, community, the changing climate, and sustainability with loving, detailed attention, revealing the complexities within their many shades of gray. Weaving stories of what lies beneath the surface and the possibilities beyond, WHAT WATER HOLDS speaks to anyone who has fallen under the spell of the sea, struggled to find their own uncharted path, and wrestled with big philosophical questions--in short, anyone seeking to live a full, deeply considered life. Literary Nonfiction. Essay. Nature. Family & Relationships. Women's Studies.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Essays

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Greg Bem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dense book of essays of fishing in Southeast Alaska and nearby areas, written with profound poetic flair.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you told me that a collection of essays about fishing would make my top 10 list for the year, I would have told you that you were flat out wrong. I don't fish, not even really interested in fishing. That's all, though, because I hadn't encounter Tele Aadsen's collection, What Water Holds. These essays, first shared at the Oregon FisherPoet's Gathering over a 10 year span, are magical. Aadsen is an evocative writer whose love of the sea and the connection with the natural world is visceral and lyrical. She writes about life and relationships, identity and reliance all within the context of the day to day world of salmon troll-fishing in Alaska. I'm always kind of fascinated by writers who can find something extraordinary in the ordinary experiences of their lives. Granted, salmon fishing is outside of my norm, but it's something that Aadsen has done since she was a child. She grew up a boat kid and other than a stint in social work, has always spent her life working on a boat. I would love to see more from Aadsen - her perspective and the way she brings you into her world through her writing is something special.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Water Holds, by Tele Aadsen, a local writer and Alaska Fisher woman is a collection of essays, many of them previously presented at the annual Oregon FisherPoets Gathering. Having shared time with Tele in a local writing group, I'd heard and enjoyed some of her work. I've looked forward to the publishing of this book...but oh, how I underestimated how much I'd love this gorgeous book! Every essay, every word, each shared memory is a gem, shining with hope, authenticity, and beauty. I found myself reading so many sections out loud to my husband, that he finally stopped me and said, "I love it; I'll read it when you're done." I read out loud nonetheless, just to share the beauty of Aadsen's perfect prose and deep thoughts on salmon fishing, trolling (not trawling), sustainability, the environment, life on the sea, and her reverent observations of the fisherfolk universe. I could not put What Water Holds down; I come away educated, deeply moved, and grateful this book found a way into the world. Bravo!

[caskofpbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful writing about a beautiful fishery in a beautiful place. tele’s connection to fishing is evident and I almost can feel it in myself through her vulnerable writing voice. coming into this book, I thought it would be solely fish poetry. I was surprised at the political perceptions of the many tensions felt in fishing, fishery management, conservation, environmentalism, and community. her observations about how fishing and the world has changed were spot on, and her commentary illuminating the complexities of these issues with many conflicting interests and sides, beyond the far too often simplification of issues as bipartisan/dual positionally, was refreshing. as someone fairly new to Alaska and the world of fishing, this was an incredible read :) thank you to the loussac public library for pulling this one out to the display where it caught my eye and made its way home with me!

[Deb Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

what water holds is a compelling and intimate journey in essays by fisherman Tele Aadsen. She describes the life of troll-salmon fishing in Alaska with intensity and artistry, from the challenges facing women in the fishing industry to the raw and exhilarating days and nights immersed in life on the ocean. Even as a land-lubber myself, with no experience fishing, there is a compelling quality to Aadsen's narrative. You feel the privilege of a window's view into a world governed by nature, yet utterly human.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was both like a meditation and like holding up a mirror up to your best and hardest qualities. It was a beautiful reflection on, not only fishing and the fishing industry, but life, gender, and social and environmental justice.

I picked this book up on a whim at the Oregon FisherPoets Gathering and it is truly one of my favorite books now. I don’t often re-read books, but I’m already looking forward to a future second read.

[Sean Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Really puts you in the authors perspective, essence, and passion. I have never fished anything in Alaska.....yet after reading this book I was able to catch a glimpse of that feeling.

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An evocative collections of essays about fishing, gender, community, and the sea

[Linnet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step into another world . . . trolling for salmon in Alaska.

[Roberta Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written book. Tele opens herself up and shows her vulnerabilities, all the while facing the task at hand. Thank you, Tele, for bringing up so many memories for me, of the fishing life, community, and reverence for the sea and all that it holds.