Review by Sonja Jacobs -- The Reel Sisters
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Sonja Jacobs
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Review by Sonja Jacobs -- The Reel Sisters
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Reel Sisters" by Michelle Cummings.]
The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings initially tells the story of four ladies who shares a love for fly fishing. Throughout time, they become close friends and enjoy sharing their lives and sport. It is very seldom that women and sport are paired in a book. Cummings, however, did it brilliantly.
The four friends have regular weekend breakaways at Rose’s cabin. During these fun trips, they enjoy fly fishing and each other’s camaraderie and friendship. During one of these weekends, while fishing, a sudden call for help had them on the edge. The water was very cold, and they were sure that nobody will swim in the river. Big was their shock when they rescued a naked girl, Melody, from the water and took her back to the cabin to get her warm and avoid hypothermia.
The friends introduced Melody to fly fishing, they quickly bonded, and she becomes part of the pack. Although their range of age greatly differs and they have vastly different personalities, they share a close bond.
Initially, I thought the book is about fly fishing but soon realize it is more about friendship and how the characters support and motivate one another during troubled times, but also how they share in each other’s victories. It gives me food for thought about what friendship is.
What I enjoy most is how the author shared the initial backstories of each character’s personal life at the beginning and thereafter taking the reader deeper into individual challenges and demons in their closets. To me, all the characters are very well developed. I also enjoyed the separate sections devoted to specific characters as it kept me intrigued. It almost feels as if I develop with the characters.
Although it seems as if the author wants to create life lessons between fly fishing and the personal lives of the characters, to me, the fly fishing part is too much. What I liked least about the book is the endless, detailed, and it seems meaningless dialogue. Basic conversations are noted up to the smallest detail for example:
“Um, yeah.”
“Oh sorry, I mean, well, that you met them last month.”
“Yeah . . .”
I find it distracting as it is possible to convey the same message in a much more intriguing way to keep the reader’s attention.
I would recommend the book for women who enjoys reading about friendship, hardship, and womanhood in general. I would not recommend it for people interested in fly fishing, as that is not really what it is about, although there are areas they will be able to relate with.
As an experienced fly fisher, the author understands the subject. The resources at the back of the book are also proof thereof. She also brilliantly connects fly fishing and friendship and shows how important it is to grow when moving out of your comfort zone. I also think the book club questions at the end of the book is a particularly good idea.
The copy I have read was professionally edited, the few profanity words are in-character, and are not disturbing. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars as I feel strongly about the areas that I didn’t like.
******
The Reel Sisters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings initially tells the story of four ladies who shares a love for fly fishing. Throughout time, they become close friends and enjoy sharing their lives and sport. It is very seldom that women and sport are paired in a book. Cummings, however, did it brilliantly.
The four friends have regular weekend breakaways at Rose’s cabin. During these fun trips, they enjoy fly fishing and each other’s camaraderie and friendship. During one of these weekends, while fishing, a sudden call for help had them on the edge. The water was very cold, and they were sure that nobody will swim in the river. Big was their shock when they rescued a naked girl, Melody, from the water and took her back to the cabin to get her warm and avoid hypothermia.
The friends introduced Melody to fly fishing, they quickly bonded, and she becomes part of the pack. Although their range of age greatly differs and they have vastly different personalities, they share a close bond.
Initially, I thought the book is about fly fishing but soon realize it is more about friendship and how the characters support and motivate one another during troubled times, but also how they share in each other’s victories. It gives me food for thought about what friendship is.
What I enjoy most is how the author shared the initial backstories of each character’s personal life at the beginning and thereafter taking the reader deeper into individual challenges and demons in their closets. To me, all the characters are very well developed. I also enjoyed the separate sections devoted to specific characters as it kept me intrigued. It almost feels as if I develop with the characters.
Although it seems as if the author wants to create life lessons between fly fishing and the personal lives of the characters, to me, the fly fishing part is too much. What I liked least about the book is the endless, detailed, and it seems meaningless dialogue. Basic conversations are noted up to the smallest detail for example:
“Um, yeah.”
“Oh sorry, I mean, well, that you met them last month.”
“Yeah . . .”
I find it distracting as it is possible to convey the same message in a much more intriguing way to keep the reader’s attention.
I would recommend the book for women who enjoys reading about friendship, hardship, and womanhood in general. I would not recommend it for people interested in fly fishing, as that is not really what it is about, although there are areas they will be able to relate with.
As an experienced fly fisher, the author understands the subject. The resources at the back of the book are also proof thereof. She also brilliantly connects fly fishing and friendship and shows how important it is to grow when moving out of your comfort zone. I also think the book club questions at the end of the book is a particularly good idea.
The copy I have read was professionally edited, the few profanity words are in-character, and are not disturbing. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars as I feel strongly about the areas that I didn’t like.
******
The Reel Sisters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
