Walk on Water: A Memoir

by Lorian Hemingway

From catfishing in Mississippi as a young girl to battling marlin in the Caribbean, Lorian Hemingway has always felt most comfortable with a fishing pole in hand. But for many years, it was alcohol that held prominence in her life, almost causing her to drown in the family legacy. Walk on Water is Lorian Hemingway's amazing story of how her one true passion-fishing-saved her life. With humor and startling honesty, Hemingway wryly acknowledges how fishing is more than a metaphor for her salvation-it allowed her to feel connected to something as a child, living with her alcoholic mother and abusive stepfather. It helped her to heal after a to-hell-and-back fight for sobriety. And it led her to the discovery that family consists not necessarily of the people you are born with, but of those you choose to let into your heart. From despair to hope, from loss to recovery, Walk on Water is a remarkable tale of strength told by a born storyteller.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 1998

Reviews

[Sofia Ophelia 🍉]

The Hemingway family sure know how to write brilliantly, I’ll tell you that.

[William Graney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I read slowly towards the end because I didn't want it to be over and reread numerous passages just because they were written so well. I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed a book that focused so much on a topic (fishing) that I don't care that much about.

[Marcin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Książka przedstawia historię Ewy poznajemy ją jako dziecko porzucone przez ojca, żyjące w domu ojczyma razem z matką. Przybrany ojciec wyzywający się fizycznie na bohaterce oraz matka alkoholiczka w której nie można szukać wsparcia, to zwyczajny dzień dla Ewy.
,,W górę rzeki” opowiada o walce z przeznaczeniem i przełamaniem przesadzonego losu, bo pomimo najgorszych ciosów jakie bez przerwy dostaje los, można wygrzebać się z każdego gówna. Tyle beznadziejnych sytuacji i skazana na porażkę, pomimo ponurej histori książka nakłania do refleksji. Nigdy nie jest za późno na poprawienie swojej sytuacji i naprawę oraz wybaczenie.
W samej książce przyciągają obszerne opisy psychologiczne postaci pozwalające na poznanie sedna ich zachowań i reakcji.
Podobała mi się książka daje 7/10 elo pozdro Hubert Gosia

[Kari]

Weighty and honest, brutal and funny, and lovely writing. And a last line that makes emotion rise up in the back of your throat.

[Laura Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written, interesting memoir. Slow read for me but enjoyed learning of her struggles and triumphs.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorain Hemingway writes about her life, growing up in the South and being the grand-daughter of Ernest Hemingway. Her writing is eloquent and beautiful. She describes the people in her life with true character and emotion. The book is about fishing as well, which even if you don't fish you will understand the passion around the sport and the opportunities for friendship involved while fishing. Loved this book and plan to read her other works.

[Dan Chance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoir by daughter of Earnest H. Grew up near the southern coast of the US and fished for recreation. Fishing became a personal metaphor for life. She became more and more addicted to alcohol but finally kicked it. She does a good job of making fishing sound interesting.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You like fishin'? She likes fishin'. I found it enjoyable.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, tragic, harrowing and ultimately triumphant. Loved the peek at Les Hemingway, someone I'd always been intrigued with.

[Adam]

so far, very warm, poetical and honest.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fishing as an analogy to life.