Review: Short Story - Big Impact
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 4, 2011
CoverThe man fly-casting on the cover could be either a depiction of a grown-up Erik or the depiction of Erik's father during Erik's younger years.PlotThis is a short story layered in meaning.  We begin thinking we know everything there is to know, but then we learn of Erik's father's past and his reason for fly-casting.  This helps us to get a better understanding of the family dynamics between Erik and his parents.Then, after Erik grows up, goes off to war and returns again, the art of fly-casting becomes Erik's respite from the demons he brought back with him from the war.  As he's mastering this art, the realizations of his father's past come upon Erik bringing with it understanding, forgiveness and peace.Main CharactersErik's Father - A veteran who uses alcohol to cope.  He can become mean while under an alcoholic rage (don't most people).  When he finds fly-casting, though, he uses that as his therapy to deal with his PTSD and becomes great at it.Erik - Idolizes his father and his fly-casting abilities.OverallThis was a short story that has a big impact.