Super Short Summary

The River Why by David James Duncan follows twenty-year-old Gus Orviston, who leaves his eccentric, fishing-obsessed family to live alone in a cabin in Oregon, seeking perfection in fishing. Over time, Gus grapples with the impact of human activity on nature and realizes his solitary pursuit is hollow. His journey towards connection and meaning deepens through relationships, especially with Eddy, ultimately leading him to redefine his understanding of success and maturity. The book includes death.