Review: The Sound of the String by Brad Isham

[idahobookworm]

My grandfather introduced me to the writings of Ernest Hemingway about the time I entered junior high. I recall reading The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms, but I especially enjoyed his short stories about Africa. It would not be a stretch to say Hemingway was one of the reasons I developed a passion for the outdoors. The real genius behind Hemingway, though, was in his ability to make hunting and fishing appeal to a broader audience and not just those who were already practicing the sports.

I recently discovered an author in the same vein as Hemingway. Brad Isham has written an incredibly well crafted story about a traditional bowhunter experiencing life in the African bush on his own terms. The Sound of the String builds upon themes of strength and character, and reveals how those are put to the test in the bush. We read how one character's true self emerges when a village attacks a hunting camp while others find their true selves when in pursuit of Africa's most deadly game, the cape buffalo. Some characters will rise to the challenge while others fall. Like Hemingway, Isham humanizes his novel with a heart wrenching love story which forces his characters to make life altering decisions.

Readers of all tastes will enjoy this compelling narrative set against the backdrop of the African bush. For those who are drawn to the writings of Hemingway, this novel will not disappoint.