How I Came to Know Fish

Jan 15, 2026 2:00 PM

Author:Ota Pavel

How I Came to Know Fish (1974) is Ota Pavel's magical memoir of his childhood in Czechoslovakia. Fishing with his father and his Uncle Prosek - the two finest fishermen in the world - he takes a peaceful pleasure from the rivers and ponds of his country. But when the Nazis invade, his father and two older brothers are sent to concentration camps and Pavel must steal their confiscated fish back from under the noses of the SS to feed his family. With tales of his father's battle to provide for his family both in wealthy freedom and in terrifying persecution, this is one boy's passionate and affecting tale of life, love and fishing.

Reviews

A moving, bittersweet coming of age . . . A collection that works its magic quietly

—— Kirkus Reviews

The story is sit-up-until-3am readable, the wide-ranging cast of highly individual characters is beautifully handled

—— Sunday Times

Kennedy is a complete genius when it comes to understanding the minds of stylish but troubled women. What's more, he does so enthrallingly and movingly

—— Daily Mirror

Extremely clever and consistently engaging

—— Independent on Sunday

A mesmerising page-turner

—— Sunday Express

Kennedy has a thriller writer's ability to keep you turning the pages, while absorbing you in the persuasive detail of one woman's emotional life. Popular fiction at its best

—— Marie Claire

Dunmore chillingly evokes the atmosphere of Soviet suspicion, where whispered rumours and petty grievances metastasise into lies and denunciation. A gripping read

—— Daily Mail

Meticulous, clever, eloquent. An absorbing and thoughtful tale of good people in hard times

—— Guardian

A remarkably feeling, nuanced novel that satisfies the head as well as the heart. This does not read like a retelling of history, but like a draught of real life. With her seemingly small canvas, Dunmore has created a universe

—— Sunday Herald

Dunmore's genius lies in her ability to convey the strange Soviet atmosphere of these very Soviet stories using the most subtle of clues

—— Spectator

Storytelling on a grand scale

—— The Times

This cleverly constructed novel will have, deservedly, widespread popular appeal, especially, perhaps, with young female readership

—— School Librarian

A beautifully written book with moments of real sadness, hope, laughter, tragedy and joy, which make you appreciate all the little things you love, as your eyes brim with tears

—— Booktrust online

A beautifully-crafted, heart-breaking look at love and loss

—— Western Daily Press

Another must is If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, which deals with deep, universal emotions and unpicks the truth about moving on after unspeakable loss - a fresh and compelling piece of work

—— Sarah Webb , Irish Independent

A heartbreaking and beautifully written novel that should be a must-read for everyone. I doubt anyone who reads this will get to the end dry-eyed. Stock up the tissues!

—— So Little Time for Books

If I Stay makes you appreciate what you have, all that you've lost and all that might be

—— Shout

A beautifully written book with moments of real sadness, hope and joy

—— Rachael Ashley , Sainsbury's Magazine

Previous Article：State Of The Union Next Article：The Sonnets and a Lover's Complaint

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.