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The main characters in this story became friends from random meetings. With one exception, their first meetings had nothing to do with fly fishing. I didn't think it was realistic that so many of the characters would meet and become "instant" friends due to random meetings. Still, I guess people sometimes will meet someone this way and want to become friends with them for various reasons. Give an example of how two of the characters meet and why it might be realistic for them to instantly become friends, given their personalities, the circumstances, etc.

I too think that some of the friendships were "quick." However, I've had friendships where we connected during our first meeting. Actually, our closest friends are ones we met walking up the street when our kids were little. We stood in their front yard, watching the kids play together, for a couple of hours. That night, we got together for pizza. During that first year, we spent Thanksgiving together, the first of many holidays together. We no longer live near each other, but 25 years later, they are still our best friends. It really did start that quick.

CatInTheHat wrote: ↑02 Feb 2018, 16:40 I too think that some of the friendships were "quick." However, I've had friendships where we connected during our first meeting. Actually, our closest friends are ones we met walking up the street when our kids were little. We stood in their front yard, watching the kids play together, for a couple of hours. That night, we got together for pizza. During that first year, we spent Thanksgiving together, the first of many holidays together. We no longer live near each other, but 25 years later, they are still our best friends. It really did start that quick.

Yes, I have also had quick and close friendship start up nearby based on our kids. In the book, however, the places the different women met seemed less familiar than meeting in the neighborhood where they lived.

I have found myself amazed at the way I have met people who became close, quick friends, and then astonished that it took us so long to meet when we realized how much overlap of friendships we had! That being said, I also have a certain of willingness to suspend my disbelief when it comes to reading a fictional book. It doesn’t bother me when the realms of reality are stretched just a little to serve the needs of the book.

bookowlie wrote: ↑02 Feb 2018, 16:45

CatInTheHat wrote: ↑02 Feb 2018, 16:40 I too think that some of the friendships were "quick." However, I've had friendships where we connected during our first meeting. Actually, our closest friends are ones we met walking up the street when our kids were little. We stood in their front yard, watching the kids play together, for a couple of hours. That night, we got together for pizza. During that first year, we spent Thanksgiving together, the first of many holidays together. We no longer live near each other, but 25 years later, they are still our best friends. It really did start that quick.

Yes, I have also had quick and close friendship start up nearby based on our kids. In the book, however, the places the different women met seemed less familiar than meeting in the neighborhood where they lived.

Good point

I think Sophie's and Rose's friendship seemed real. They met in a shop of a sport they both love. Sports bring many people together. Since fly fishing is not a common thing for women, seeing someone else of their gender enjoying the sport probably made them bond quicker.

I also think Rose and Sophie's friendship is the most believable due to the location of their meeting. Some of my best friends came from random meetings. They have been my rocks at times. We don't talk as much as we should unfortunately, but I believe that we meet everyone for a reason.

KasieMiehlke wrote: ↑02 Feb 2018, 21:33 I also think Rose and Sophie's friendship is the most believable due to the location of their meeting. Some of my best friends came from random meetings. They have been my rocks at times. We don't talk as much as we should unfortunately, but I believe that we meet everyone for a reason.

I agree Rose and Sophie's friendship is the most realistic as they met in a fly shop and already shared a love of the sport. I don't know how realistic it is that you would meet someone randomly (the way Sophie met Veronica and Amanda) and immediately invite them to go fly fishing. However, it's realistic that Veronina and Amanda, at separate times, accepted the invitation. Even though they were not necessarily interested in learning to fly fish, they were happy about getting away and having fun.

I actually had a great friendship start at a conference. I overheard the woman say that she just moved from out of state to an area where I work. I struck up a conversation and she asked me to call her to be friends. I did, our husbands thought we were crazy, and we've been friends ever since. I think it take a special kind of personality to do that kind of thing, but it can work!

Yes the characters do become friends in rather random ways but i think that again is suggestive of how life is . Events in life are always random and predictable and therein lies its beauty.

Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑12 Feb 2018, 17:46 Yes the characters do become friends in rather random ways but i think that again is suggestive of how life is . Events in life are always random and predictable and therein lies its beauty.

So very true! I think it is important to recognize opportunities and grasp them. It is always easier to put in your earbuds or sleep on a plane. Holding a conversation with a stranger for the entire flight is an art form that takes effort but can have a wonderful reward. I think we insulate ourselves too much these days.

YesYes..we insulate , don't move out of our comfort zone.As the book rightly says through fly fishing we need to b aware and adapt , learn and unlearn, make connections to enrich ourselves.

Some friendships made more sense than others. I could totally understand Sophie and Veronica bonding over a long flight and staying friends afterwards, but I found it really strange that Melody just fit right into the group as if she'd always been there. I don't know how she was that comfortable with four complete strangers.

I don't believe in coincidences. Some of my best friendships are with people I met randomly. The key is in nurturing the relationships. We all need friends.

BookishCreature wrote: ↑16 Feb 2018, 14:04 Some friendships made more sense than others. I could totally understand Sophie and Veronica bonding over a long flight and staying friends afterwards, but I found it really strange that Melody just fit right into the group as if she'd always been there. I don't know how she was that comfortable with four complete strangers.

I do think the author did a good job of capturing Melody's awkwardness when she was first introduced, but I think it was a small jump for her to stay behind with Rose and learn fly fishing when the others left. I related to Melody's loner personality and feel like she would've been far too shy and nervous to stay with a complete stranger for a few days to learn a sport she previously had no interest in. Just a nitpick though!