Alfred Jones

Overview… a renowned expert on fisheries who has been asked for advice on a project to create a salmon fishery in the most unlikely of places: the Yemen. Although believing the project to be “fundamentally unfeasible,” Jones is forced to take a position on the project when his boss hands him an ultimatum. As he devotes himself to the work and his marriage falls apart, he starts to enjoy the project – especially working with the financial advisor, Harriet Chetwode-Talbot.

Personality… intelligent, supercilious, and somewhat awkward. He is not given to sentimental displays, but he has a warmer heart than it appears. Convinced of his own assessment of the project, Jones is dismissive of Harriet’s arguments and quite rude. When people leave him, he accepts his lot quietly, and he makes small attempts to impress Harriet with work and fishing lures.