Ruin: A Novel of Flyfishing in Bankruptcy

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By SB Borcy

Ruin is a quietly profound meditation on the subtle ways in which life redirects itself, resilience, and loss. Leigh Seippel's novel is both intimate and expansive, as she crafts a narrative that honors the natural world and human vulnerability. From the very first page, the reader is captivated by a world in which personal reckoning and financial collapse intersect, and the art of fly fishing serves as a lens through which the fragility and beauty of life are observed.

Seippel's writing style is lyrical and richly textured, conveying the weight of meticulous observation without ever falling prey to sentimentality. The narrative is deliberately paced to reflect the meditative cadence of fly fishing and the rhythms of the characters' inner lives. The dialogue is measured yet revealing, providing a glimpse into the character and circumstance, while the descriptive passages vividly evoke the Hudson Valley landscape. The prose strikes a balance between emotional immediacy and intellectual depth, thereby encouraging readers to fully engage with the story's multifaceted textures.

Ruin fundamentally investigates the themes of identity, reinvention, and the methods by which individuals confront and adapt to loss. The novel explores the intersection of personal transformation and financial ruin, demonstrating how hardship can inspire reflection, reconnection, and even unexpected joy. The characters are reconnected to nature, patience, and deliberate action through the practical pursuit of fly fishing, which serves as both a metaphor and a grounding force. Themes of hope, resilience, and upheaval are universally resonant, offering readers a reflection of their own lived experiences.

There is a subtle stirring in the emotional resonance of Ruin. Seippel promotes empathy and introspection, encouraging readers to reflect on the consequences of their actions, the importance of their circumstances, and the inconspicuous victories that can be achieved through perseverance. The novel is a deeply rewarding experience for introspective readers, as it encourages reflection on the relationship between spiritual or personal development and material loss.

Leigh Seippel has crafted a novel of enduring significance that captivates the mind, touches the heart, and serves as a reminder of the restorative power of nature, human resilience, and patience.

About the Author 

Leigh Seippel

Ruin is a tale of the flow of character and chance for a suddenly penniless couple. It is told vividly through fishing experieces. The author Leigh Seippel has walked the arc of Ruin. Flyfishing has taken him across four continents and he has worked a hardscrabble Hudson Valley frm. He is a former president of the Anglers' Club of New York.