“Like all good fishing stories, Hughes’ memoir is full of deep contemplation, rakish humor, and moments of true drama.” —Kim Barnes, author of In the Wilderness Henry Hughes has been fishing his entire life. But unlike those who stick to their local stream, Hughes has traveled the world in search of new and exciting adventures. Recounting journeys across East Asia—from Beijing to Bangkok—as well as throughout the United States, Hughes shares stories of the fish he’s caught and the people he’s met. Fishing is a sport that crosses boundaries of race, ethnicity, gender, and class. In his travels, Hughes gains deeper insight into these topics as he interacts with a wide variety of people who share his love for fishing and enjoy the sensual connection between the salty pleasures and tensions of human and fish life. Woven through the adventures in Back Seat with Fish are tales of carp and fugu, sharks and snakeheads, as well as exchanges with a variety of people, including a Sioux Indian from South Dakota, an elderly African American on the Mississippi, and waterside inhabitants of Beijing. But Hughes’s journey isn’t just for people who fish or love nature. Back Seat with Fish is for anyone who enjoys a good story. “One man’s erudite, amiable exploration of his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This book is unabashedly, unashamedly fun.” —David James Duncan, National Book Award finalist and author of The River Why
