Do you consider the book to be Chick Lit?

Use this forum to discuss the February 2018 Book of the Month, "The Reel Sisters" by Michelle Cummings.
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Alice Festo
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Re: Do you consider the book to be Chick Lit?

Post by Alice Festo »

I think it definitely captures women. Naturally female will be drawn to it as it captures their emotions. On the other hand it can be relatable to men. It has lessons on fly fishing a sport dominated by men. It also touches emotional side of men. Shown by Mike, Amanda's husband when he returns from Afghanistan. It shows marriage life. It's joy and hardships.
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Damis Seres Rodriguez
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Post by Damis Seres Rodriguez »

Well, it is true that the book spins around women and male characters are nearly reduced to random mentions here and there, but to be fair (just like it's been pointed out all over the replies) I don't see why it should be a problem. If it was the other way around and male characters were under the spotlight the entire time, it probably wouldn't have the same label. Even more, I doubt it would be noticed by many people, at all.
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Post by lwahls2 »

I couldn't classify this as chick lit. Although, now that you mention it, what are the markers of a chick lit story? When I think of that term, I think of those romantic novels with superficial characters. This is definitely not the case with Reel Sisters. These women were deep, strong, smart, connected, females living life and enjoying a typically male dominated sport.
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Post by Radhika_puri »

Nope, I don't think so. There are many parts where other things are given more attention. Mike is one of the characters who also have an important role throughout and the same goes for other guys. They are not left there scenes are also added. So I don't think it's a chick lit.
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Post by Bookreviwer2020 »

I did not see it like that, but more of a book that challenges stereotypes and gender roles. Some of the women seemed a bit manly to me, even the discussion of bodily functions and all. I felt that some of the women were manly women rather than chicks
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Post by baldgi84 »

I didn't find this book to be chick lit. I'm a guy and I enjoyed reading this book. One of my favorites.
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Post by Teddyquam »

I definitely think that women would especially enjoy the story, but I think the intentions of the author was more than just to make a story to appeal to that audience specifically. There are themes that can appeal to a wider audience, and for me these women were just doing their thing in what happened to be a male dominated sport.
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Post by Barbara Larkin »

It is technically chick lit. This has negative connotations, however, and I feel it kinds of reduces the impact of the story. Women's contemporary fiction seems like a more preferable label, so perhaps that's why it's not marketed as chick lit.
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Post by Kaivalya Khisti »

Given that all the leading characters are women, it is easy to feel this book was a chick click. But I felt that is differed from the books of that genre. This one came off more as a mature support group of hurting women.
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Post by Doziesixtus »

I don't think it's chick lit, the story was quite diverse enough that the characters could easily be replaced by guys without causing much distortion in the story.
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Post by gelli_baranda »

Not really. The book took me down the memory lane when I was in high school poring over dusty brown books at the library. I have seen a lot of books with the same writing style and storyline; however, its wholesome appeal is undeniable. I'd love to read the book again.
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Post by Magnify3 »

I had to look up the meaning of the term chick lit. Not sure if it does fit the term. Maybe it does.
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Post by Gabrielle Sigaki »

I think that it depends on what you could consider to be a chick lit since this book has the theme of women friendship but it is original and not stereotyped.
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Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

Kieran_Obrien wrote: 22 Feb 2018, 09:23 Perhaps the term is a bit offensive, but do you consider the Reel Sisters to be Chick Lit?

I think there's maybe a bit more going on in the narrative that opens up it's genre slightly, but it does hit all the chick lit tropes!

I'm a guy and I found it reasonably enjoyable anyway!
I felt like the only connection with the "chick lit" would be the "chick" part. I usually feel like chick lit is lighter than this book. The novel had a lot of metaphors and a lot of life lessons that made it deeper and more meaningful. However, I don't know if men would find it appealing, despite the fishing parts. So I would say it is a book that can be better appreciated by a woman, but certainly I would not consider it chick lit.
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Post by Reader-247 »

Labeling a book as such, in this day and age, isn't it sexist? It just excludes anyone from enjoying a good read...
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