Eh

The number of books this author has written and word of mouth throughout the years prompted me to give one of his titles a try- I thought I'd be entertained and amused by his down-home humor. Unfortunately I found it to be too corny and tame for my taste - I'd liken it to watching old episodes of The Golden Girls or Full House - watered down tea that I wouldn't put into my cup. Maybe I picked the wrong title - or maybe I just need to age another 20 years (which would put me in my 60's) to appreciate the talents of this prolific story teller.

5 people found this helpful

McManus, a favorite author for two decades

Would you listen to Never Sniff a Gift Fish again? Why?

McManus has been a favorite author of mine for over two decades, and I'm not yet 31, so I can say that his works appeal to kids, teens, and older adults. I can also attest that no one whom I know who has read his works dislikes his writing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rancid Crabtree, and for too many reasons to enumerate.

Have you listened to any of Norman Dietz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The best professional reader I have heard for the works of Patrick F McManus is currently deceased, so I doubt he'll produce any more performances; otherwise, Norman Dietz and Dick Hall are very amazing readers for McManus's work. I won't say which of those two is the better, but the difference in their skill is so slim one might as well say they are tied.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If by "listen to all in one sitting" one means, did I want to turn it off at any point, then let me say I did not want to turn it off, then yes, I wanted to "listen to all in one sitting."

Any additional comments?

Start Time Title
0:00:00 Blowing Smoke
0:17:05 Poof—No Eyebrows!
0:34:18 I Fish; Therefore, I Am
0:44:18 Running on Empty
0:56:52 The Cat and the Cat Burglar
1:10:43 Salami on Rye and Hold the Wild Gobo
1:24:31 Two-Man-Tent Fever
1:37:28 Fish Poles, and Other Useful Terminology
1:51:33 The Man Who Notices Things
2:06:48 The Elk Trappers
2:23:55 The Short Happy Life of Francis Cucumber
2:35:38 The Arkansas Prank Hound
2:46:29 Well, Excuuuuse Me!
2:54:18 The Mountain Car
3:12:57 The Christmas Hatchet
3:25:40 The Night Grandma Shot Shorty
3:34:00 The Kindest Cut of All
3:50:19 The Bush Pilots
4:07:21 Share and Share Alike
4:20:19 Never Sniff a Gift Fish
4:33:39 Backseats I Have Known
4:46:44 Edgy Rider
5:09:14 Strange Scenes and Eerie Events
5:19:28 The Hunters’ Workout Guide
5:32:28 Temporary Measures
5:41:53 The Fibricators
5:54:34 The Family Camper’s Dictionary
6:06:39 The Big Match

4 people found this helpful

I LOVE these books!

I have read/listened to EVERY one of Patrick F. Mcmanus' books several times! The stories never get old. It is good, clean humor that my sons and I have enjoyed together for years! if you like fishing, hunting, camping, basically any outdoor stuff, you will love these too. I wish he was still around to give us more...The world lost a truly funny man and national treasure when he passed. The Narrator Norman Dietz, IS the voice of Patrick McManus and all his hapless characters, especially Rancid Crabtree, my favorite! No one else should even try! Absolutely recommend every book!

Always good for a laugh.

This is humor at its best. Sit down for a good dose whenever you need a pick-me-up.

I laugh so hard, it hurts!

McManus delivers a hilarious perspective of growing up and adult experiences mostly centered around outdoor life: hunting, fishing and the mischievous friends who are right there with him. The narrative is the closest thing to McManus himself. A must-have for the outdoorsman with a sense of humor.

Patrick McManus is pure brilliance!

I have always loved McManus' stories (since I was a child). The characters are somehow believable...

Never Sniff A Gift Fish - but do buy this book

Where does Never Sniff a Gift Fish rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

a solid 7 to 7.5 out of 10

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crazy Eddie Muldoon - if he's oin the story, it's going to get crazy.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

some characters were read as if having a speech impediment...Reading the book, I don't get that impression and I don't think it added value to the performance. It may have detracted from it in fact.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I moved a lot throughout the book...laughing.

Any additional comments?

This is a compilation of Patrick McManus' short humor articles from over the years. If you ever spent time with a fisherman, hunter, or woodsman, you WILL laugh.

classic McManus

I grew up reading these books and loved them. audio version is just as good.

Great fun.

Any sportsman who spent time in the outdoors has experienced occasions where it's best to find a way to laugh at the strange things that happen. McManus reminds us of all of those in eloquent comical prose.

Great experience

Reading these books as a kid, the narrator gave new life to these stories. I would recommend these to anyone who has spend any time in the outdoors