A River Runs Through It and Other Stories

Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It and Other Stories is a classic of American literature, blending memoir, fiction, and lyrical prose. First published in 1976, this 25th-anniversary edition includes a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx.

Set in the western Rocky Mountains of the early 20th century, these stories draw from Maclean’s own experiences as a young man—working summers in logging camps, fighting wildfires, and learning the rhythms of fly fishing. His tales capture the raw beauty of Montana’s landscapes and the rugged men who inhabited them—loggers, gamblers, drunks, and family members navigating life’s joys and struggles.

• Timeless storytelling: A poignant meditation on family, nature, and the passage of time
• Authentic Montana life: Vivid depictions of logging, fishing, and fire-fighting in a bygone era
• Haunted by waters: A masterpiece of lyrical prose that explores the deep emotional connections between people and place

The book’s title story inspired the 1992 film A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt, bringing Maclean’s evocative writing to an even wider audience. With over a million copies sold, this collection ensures that, as Proulx notes, Maclean “will live as long as fish swim and books are made.”