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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It goes without saying but fuck you P.T. Barnam haha
This book single handedly proved that I still have the ability to sit and read a physical book in a matter of hours, so long as it is well written enough. It also proves that my memory is not awful when the material is memorable, something substantiated by my 2 week sabbatical due to illness that made no significant impact on my buy in to the story.
This wasn’t as dark as I expected it to be based on the other books of Henry’s I’ve read, and on the real life exploits of the circus man himself. But nor was this another Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Dark, melancholic, and hopeful, this was a beautiful story of love and life that I found utterly charming.
The ending was weak and I didn’t really care about the last 40-odd pages of story, or frankly the entire Levi love story plot, but the beginning more than made up for it and I can personally choose to believe that Amelia went globetrotting and rescued that orangutang and found a nice lesbian fisherwoman to shack up with!
If you enjoy a darker take on a fairytale than I definitely recommend this one. Christina Henry hasn’t really missed for me yet so I will eagerly continue to read her work!
This book single handedly proved that I still have the ability to sit and read a physical book in a matter of hours, so long as it is well written enough. It also proves that my memory is not awful when the material is memorable, something substantiated by my 2 week sabbatical due to illness that made no significant impact on my buy in to the story.
This wasn’t as dark as I expected it to be based on the other books of Henry’s I’ve read, and on the real life exploits of the circus man himself. But nor was this another Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Dark, melancholic, and hopeful, this was a beautiful story of love and life that I found utterly charming.
The ending was weak and I didn’t really care about the last 40-odd pages of story, or frankly the entire Levi love story plot, but the beginning more than made up for it and I can personally choose to believe that Amelia went globetrotting and rescued that orangutang and found a nice lesbian fisherwoman to shack up with!
If you enjoy a darker take on a fairytale than I definitely recommend this one. Christina Henry hasn’t really missed for me yet so I will eagerly continue to read her work!
slow-paced
A charming story for fans of historical fiction. I was absolutely hooked from the first page, however it would have been nice to see some more dynamic characters. The plot also lacked good tension, but my personal love for mermaid lore probably clouded my judgement.
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I determined I have no love of mermaid stories. This was well-told, but I wasn't excited or interested in it.
I don't know anything about PT Barnum, and I don't care to. This swindling showman persona isn't compelling to me.
Amelia's personal strength was refreshing to read. Her struggle to be part of humanity in the United States echoed many women's perspectives and especially mine today. There is so much injustice and not enough power in the hands of people who would right those injustices.
Ultimately, I am glad this is over. I loved Christina Henry's Peter Pan retelling and the Alice duology, but this book doesn't have much to contribute outside the basic understanding that women in "civilized society" lack agency and are sidelined or outright barred from power compared to men.
I don't know anything about PT Barnum, and I don't care to. This swindling showman persona isn't compelling to me.
Amelia's personal strength was refreshing to read. Her struggle to be part of humanity in the United States echoed many women's perspectives and especially mine today. There is so much injustice and not enough power in the hands of people who would right those injustices.
Ultimately, I am glad this is over. I loved Christina Henry's Peter Pan retelling and the Alice duology, but this book doesn't have much to contribute outside the basic understanding that women in "civilized society" lack agency and are sidelined or outright barred from power compared to men.
3.5
I was Interested in this... Its not a retelling Per se but has aspects that are....
It wasn't the usual grey Christina Henry writes but i still enjoyed it enough
I was Interested in this... Its not a retelling Per se but has aspects that are....
It wasn't the usual grey Christina Henry writes but i still enjoyed it enough
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Christina Henry’s catalogue is one I’ve developed a mostly fond relationship with and unfortunately The Mermaid didn’t manage to grip me like some of her other works have. My biggest issue with the book is that a lot of it feels inconsistent. Story beats don’t align with the events that come next, characters flip-flop between personalities and intriguing elements such as Barnum and Amelia’s rivalry are pushed aside in favour of a rushed romance and goodbye which both take place in the third act. By the end of the novel, Charity was the only character that I felt anything about. Barnum quickly became a one-dimensional greedy showman instead of a strong person for Amelia to butt heads with. Levi went from a sympathetic character in contrast to Barnum and in the last 50 pages turned into a domineering husband. Amelia’s arc felt all over the place as she was constantly voicing her ideas and feelings that she didn’t belong to no one and yet, her ending ties her to Levi and nothing else. I feel The Mermaid as a book really doesn’t know what it wanted to be and by the end, instead of being left with a gripping story, I was left with a lot of disappointment.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated