Scan barcode
josmejiasr's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5 estrellas) No le he puesto un 4 porque empecé a disfrutar de la historia únicamente en los capítulos finales.
A pesar de que lo termine en un día y medio me pareció un poco aburrido y respecto al final siento que lo podrían haber extendido un poco más.
A pesar de que lo termine en un día y medio me pareció un poco aburrido y respecto al final siento que lo podrían haber extendido un poco más.
jkkenobi's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read Asking for It by Louise O’Neill and she did an incredible job of exploring the issue of victim-blaming after rape, so I was extremely keen to read her feminist reimagining of the Little Mermaid. I first saw the Disney movie as an adult, and that probably vastly altered my perception of the story! I felt I was meant to see Ariel as incredibly romantic, but to me she was just very young and rather foolish.
The author adds far more depth to the story. She really shines a light on ingrained societal behaviours: The women are unduly concerned regarding their weight and nudity – somehow expected to walk the line between modesty, allure, and always be at the men’s disposal. I’m happy to say the novel is not an anti-men rant, but rather gives us the fascinating opportunity to see human behaviour through a stranger’s eyes.
Ceto, the Sea-Witch is an intriguing character, and I found myself wondering how Ursula (the Disney equivalent of Ceto) came to be the evil villainess that she is portrayed in the film.
Whilst the plot is familiar to most, the author has really made the story her own – this is very much a reimagining rather than a straightforward retelling – and in addition to the feminist slant contains an underlying message regarding propaganda, and administrators who rule through fear without permitting question of their actions.
The author adds far more depth to the story. She really shines a light on ingrained societal behaviours: The women are unduly concerned regarding their weight and nudity – somehow expected to walk the line between modesty, allure, and always be at the men’s disposal. I’m happy to say the novel is not an anti-men rant, but rather gives us the fascinating opportunity to see human behaviour through a stranger’s eyes.
Ceto, the Sea-Witch is an intriguing character, and I found myself wondering how Ursula (the Disney equivalent of Ceto) came to be the evil villainess that she is portrayed in the film.
Whilst the plot is familiar to most, the author has really made the story her own – this is very much a reimagining rather than a straightforward retelling – and in addition to the feminist slant contains an underlying message regarding propaganda, and administrators who rule through fear without permitting question of their actions.
bll1010's review against another edition
4.0
I was prepared to dislike this book, but I find myself pleasantly surprised.
nzhouey's review against another edition
2.0
I'm obsessed with this cover, the story itself not so much. It's a much darker version of little mermaid revolving mainly around gender stereotypes and the suppression of women. I wasn't happy with the book overall, but I did like that ending. I'm glad that the whole plot was recognized and acknowledge as being stupid: aka sacrificing everything for someone you don't even know but think you love. However, the journey of getting to that ending was dull and depressing.
mslenith's review against another edition
5.0
This I LOVED. The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favs and I really enjoyed this feminist re-telling.
There was a great King Trident/Trump moment I spotted too
"It is your father who has insisted on calling me a 'witch'. That is simply a term that men give women who are not afraid of them, women who refuse to do as they are told."
There was a great King Trident/Trump moment I spotted too
"It is your father who has insisted on calling me a 'witch'. That is simply a term that men give women who are not afraid of them, women who refuse to do as they are told."
annie_niliforva's review against another edition
3.0
More of a 2.5? I think.
✨Spoilers✨
I’m just bummed Oliver didn’t die. He was ✨✨trash✨✨. George would’ve made this a very different retelling we’re he the love interest.
But anyway, Stan Gaia.
✨Spoilers✨
I’m just bummed Oliver didn’t die. He was ✨✨trash✨✨. George would’ve made this a very different retelling we’re he the love interest.
But anyway, Stan Gaia.
tyzaa's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book overnight. Because why not.
So I picked up the Surface Breaks for 3 main reasons:
- One of my favourite authors mentioned it
- The cover is omg
- The Little Mermaid has always been one of my all time favourite Disney movies.
But! Having rewatched this classic animation movie recently, I was seriously torn and conflicted: the child in me sang along and fell in love with Eric all over again, and the adult in me was angry at the plot. Goddamit adulthood and morals!
And the book delivers what it says on the tin: it rewrites the story and gives it a modern twist.
So yes, there is a pretty strong social justice bias. But it works. It works as a good illustration and narrative around how things were, and how things have and are evolving withing peoples mentalities, whilst giving a more mature and realistic spin to our/my favourite childhood fairytales.
Also please, can we have a spinoff with Ceto?
So I picked up the Surface Breaks for 3 main reasons:
- One of my favourite authors mentioned it
- The cover is omg
- The Little Mermaid has always been one of my all time favourite Disney movies.
But! Having rewatched this classic animation movie recently, I was seriously torn and conflicted: the child in me sang along and fell in love with Eric all over again, and the adult in me was angry at the plot. Goddamit adulthood and morals!
And the book delivers what it says on the tin: it rewrites the story and gives it a modern twist.
So yes, there is a pretty strong social justice bias. But it works. It works as a good illustration and narrative around how things were, and how things have and are evolving withing peoples mentalities, whilst giving a more mature and realistic spin to our/my favourite childhood fairytales.
Also please, can we have a spinoff with Ceto?