Life, Fishing and Friendship: a Review of The Reel Sisters

Introduction

The The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings is a multifaceted work that delves into various themes. It combines elements of country life, adventure, and nature, but at its core, it is a profound story about life. I rate The Reel Sisters with a 3 out of 4 stars. Here are some of the reasons why:

Life, Fishing, and Friendship: A Review of The Reel Sisters

This book is a metaphor unto itself. One of the main draws of this book is its presentation of life through such a unique metaphor. Indeed, we usually think of fly fishing as a man’s hobby. However, these women are every bit as enthusiastic about this pastime as any man would be. Their passion for fly fishing is not just about the act itself but also about the connections and life lessons it brings.

Moreover, the women have various motives for engaging in this unorthodox hobby, and the author interweaves this into the plot almost effortlessly. For example, we have Sophie, who is one of the leaders of the group. She became interested in fly fishing because of the movie A River Runs Through It with Brad Pitt (Redford, 1992). This teaches us that pop culture can inspire unique interests in individuals, leading them to explore uncharted territories in their lives.

Then we have Veronica, who became interested in fly fishing because she just happened to sit next to Sophie on a flight. This illustrates how often chance meetings can change the course of our lives. These serendipitous encounters often bring new perspectives and experiences, enriching our journey in unexpected ways.

And then we have Melody, who is the newest convert to the fly fishing hobby; she only became interested in it when she was swept downstream after engaging in her unusual hobby! Her experience highlights how sometimes, life's unpredictable events can lead us to discover new passions and pursuits.

Appeal and Critique

Overall, this book would appeal to a broad cross-section of people. People from many different walks of life would enjoy this book. Those who are into nature would appreciate it, and those who value the outdoors would get a kick out of it. Sports enthusiasts would enjoy it as well. However, just one caveat is necessary. There are some areas of the book where the action lags somewhat. There is one particular scene with Melody where the author could have used more vivid language to capture the reader's imagination fully. Thus, the book was rated a three out of four, but only because of these deficiencies (if decimal ratings were allowed, I would give this book 3.5 out of four).

The reader will grow fond of all of these characters, and they will soon identify with many of them. All of these characters are in various stages of their lives, and they all use the sport of fly fishing as their therapy, showcasing the therapeutic power of nature and shared experiences in fostering personal growth and healing.

References

Redford, R. (Director). (1992). A River Runs Through It [Film]. Columbia Pictures.