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jillkahnwald's review
3.0
I won this short story and the accompanying first chapter of Erika Swyler's novel The Book of Speculation in a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed the short story and thought it gave a nice glimpse into the family life of a displaced carnival member, building good characterization even in its short form. Although the story did not have a large arc or definitive resolution, it was a competent portrayal of a slice of life. I have not read the full novel, but the first chapter did pique my interest. I am curious how much of Paulina's story takes precedence in the novel over Simon's. Erika Swyler's prose is enjoyable, and while I probably will not read the novel (my to-read list is already extensive), I believe it would be worth reading.
torakima's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lorialdenholuta's review
4.0
A quick read, but a pleasant one for anyone who enjoyed The Book Of Speculation. It's been a while since I read it, and I found it nice and familiar to slip back into Swyler's world. I enjoy the way she sets moods through wordplay.
readers_block's review
3.0
I received this short story as a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
The writing was lovely and enchanting. This is a prequel to another story of Swyler's but having not read the other made me feel a bit in the dark.
It was more mystical and magical than anything more concrete, probably because its intended to be a companion to the Book of Speculation.
The writing was lovely and enchanting. This is a prequel to another story of Swyler's but having not read the other made me feel a bit in the dark.
It was more mystical and magical than anything more concrete, probably because its intended to be a companion to the Book of Speculation.
snowmaiden's review
4.0
Never look a gift book in the mouth. When I entered the Goodreads giveaway for this one, I wasn't aware that it was a short story prequel to [b: The Book of Speculation|23014670|The Book of Speculation|Erika Swyler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422476749s/23014670.jpg|42580799], which I hadn't read. So when I won, I first had to get that book from the library and finish it before I could begin this one. If I hadn't read them in the right order, I'm sure that this story would have made no sense, yet I don't feel that it shed any further light on the events of Swyler's novel. It seemed almost irrelevant plot-wise. Still, Swyler is such a good writer that it didn't seem like a waste of time. If you've already read the novel, this would be a nice return to that world, and you can get through it in less than an hour.
daynpitseleh's review
4.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange from an honest review.
While The Department of Speculation is on my to read list, I haven't gotten around to it yet. The Mermaid Girl is a short story prequel to The Department of Speculation, which I didn't realize going into reading the short story. However, knowing nothing about any of the characters, the story is magical, haunting, and beautifully written. I can't wait to read The Department of Speculation.
While The Department of Speculation is on my to read list, I haven't gotten around to it yet. The Mermaid Girl is a short story prequel to The Department of Speculation, which I didn't realize going into reading the short story. However, knowing nothing about any of the characters, the story is magical, haunting, and beautifully written. I can't wait to read The Department of Speculation.
wildflowerfieldsforever's review
4.0
Four stars *only if* you read The Book of Speculation. Otherwise a reader likely won’t appreciate The Mermaid Girl. Once again, I found Erika Swyler’s writing to be beautiful and poetic. She crafts a story so well. It was a nice short story that gives a bit of background to Paulina and Daniel. I would love to read more of these short stories about some other characters from The Book of Speculation - in particular, Madame Ryzhkova.
bfth23's review
2.0
Companion piece to the Book of Speculation. I didn't like that one so much and this wasn't much better.
lnluck13's review
3.0
I was blessed enough to receive this in a giveaway, so, first, thank you to the publisher and author for sending this my way!
I liked the flow of it (sorry for the pun), and the language was never too flowery or too weak, but just right so that it was natural. Sometimes, the analogies were too severe or blunt, but my main problem with it was that I felt that I got a lot of hints of the total story, but, with the shift in perspective, it started feeling like I was a bit too out of the loop to enjoy the "mystery" of the hints. There needed to be a little something more to make me invested in the story. I like a story that doesn't directly tell you everything, but there needs to be something to make you care for the characters. I think that it was on track to do that, but it didn't quite get there for me.
Overall, I really did like it! 3.5☆
I liked the flow of it (sorry for the pun), and the language was never too flowery or too weak, but just right so that it was natural. Sometimes, the analogies were too severe or blunt, but my main problem with it was that I felt that I got a lot of hints of the total story, but, with the shift in perspective, it started feeling like I was a bit too out of the loop to enjoy the "mystery" of the hints. There needed to be a little something more to make me invested in the story. I like a story that doesn't directly tell you everything, but there needs to be something to make you care for the characters. I think that it was on track to do that, but it didn't quite get there for me.
Overall, I really did like it! 3.5☆
mckenzierichardson's review
2.0
I received this book through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Like many other readers and reviewers, I did not know that this was a prequel to The Book of Speculation. This is completely understandable given that this book is in no way presented as if it were a prequel. It looks like its own story. And given that second half of this book is actually the first chapter of the novel, this whole thing felt like promotional material for The Book of Speculation. It was a bit disappointing.
I have not read The Book of Speculation, so I'll be honest, I had no idea what was going on. The language and writing was beautiful, but I really think you had to have read the novel first. Normally I'd say that's my own fault for not reading the novel, but I really don't think that's fair since this is marketed as "a story" rather than a prequel or part of the series.
Not a lot really happened in the story. It was pretty, but again it was more of an origins story for a character in the novel. Great imagery and descriptions, not a whole lot of plot or action.
I would highly recommend reading The Book of Speculations first if you are interested in this book.
Like many other readers and reviewers, I did not know that this was a prequel to The Book of Speculation. This is completely understandable given that this book is in no way presented as if it were a prequel. It looks like its own story. And given that second half of this book is actually the first chapter of the novel, this whole thing felt like promotional material for The Book of Speculation. It was a bit disappointing.
I have not read The Book of Speculation, so I'll be honest, I had no idea what was going on. The language and writing was beautiful, but I really think you had to have read the novel first. Normally I'd say that's my own fault for not reading the novel, but I really don't think that's fair since this is marketed as "a story" rather than a prequel or part of the series.
Not a lot really happened in the story. It was pretty, but again it was more of an origins story for a character in the novel. Great imagery and descriptions, not a whole lot of plot or action.
I would highly recommend reading The Book of Speculations first if you are interested in this book.