Spin Me a Line with Dick Walker

Publisher's Overview Richard Walker needs no introduction, in this new book he has put together a hilarious collection of humorous articles from his countless writings in the angling press, with help from Pat Walker and Peter Maskell, with guest chapters from Fred J Taylor, Peter Thomas and other friends, all with funny tales to tell. The book also contains Richard's witty poetry and songs which have never before been in print. The book is well illustrated both with Richard's fine photography (some of which has never been in print) and cartoons by well known artist Ted Andrews. 'Spin Me a Line' is full of side-splitting tales of exploits with Fred J Taylor and Dick's other angling pals; incredible stories of opera-singing otters and conversations with cockney cats that could have come straight from Monty Python!

Verdict It's not easy for me to write this review for I'm a fully paid up member of the Walker fan club, but I have to say that this book falls far short of my expectations. For one thing it looks like it's been thrown together. If it was a TV programme or a movie I'd be saying it lacked continuity. A few of the stories really are funny, but the majority can only be funny if you were there at the time and the characters involved were dear friends with whom you had some affinity, much like insider jokes. To be brutally honest, some of the stories made me squirm with embarrassment rather than joy, they were so far removed from being humorous. It's not that Walker was not a man with a great sense of humour; he was, but this book just doesn't put that across, and I have to say that some of the stories don't read at all like they came from Walker's pen, or maybe they were written at a time when he wasn't his usual self. However, I didn't know him personally and can only judge by the numerous other books and thousands of articles he had published, which I've read and thoroughly enjoyed. No doubt those Walker fans who crave for his every word, and every word written about him, will lap up this book and think it well worth the £25-plus (or £165-plus) asking price. If you're not one of the latter, I'd keep your money in your pocket or you risk being as disappointed as I was. Rating: 6/10