fennmidwinter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mallori_lyshae's review against another edition
4.0
Side Note: (I use Spotify to stream music and was able to listen to the audio version on Spotify.)
Well that was not the version I grew up with. It was a really sad and haunting, but it was a beautiful story.
Well that was not the version I grew up with. It was a really sad and haunting, but it was a beautiful story.
lulu_readsalot's review against another edition
3.0
It is even sadder than what I thought! And this Prince... Such a dB.
My heart ached to think of the origin of this story and HAC broken heart. I would have taken him for fun night out.
My heart ached to think of the origin of this story and HAC broken heart. I would have taken him for fun night out.
linde99's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the artwork. The artist did an amazing job with the artwork, but however I could not connect with the story. I know its an old tale, but it was so different then I expected. I did like reading it though.
rubyraereads's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley & NorthSouth Books for the eARC
Wow, I'm very glad that I've finally read the original Hans Christian Andersen tale of 'The Little Mermaid' as it's my favourite Disney princess story. I really loved the writing style, totally brought me back and made me feel like I was living in the time period. I think it's such a splendid story. I will say, however, that although I liked the art style, I wanted more from it? It didn't match the story of the mermaid, in my opinion. Loved this one!
Thanks to Netgalley & NorthSouth Books for the eARC
Wow, I'm very glad that I've finally read the original Hans Christian Andersen tale of 'The Little Mermaid' as it's my favourite Disney princess story. I really loved the writing style, totally brought me back and made me feel like I was living in the time period. I think it's such a splendid story. I will say, however, that although I liked the art style, I wanted more from it? It didn't match the story of the mermaid, in my opinion. Loved this one!
amandagstevens's review
2.0
What the heck did I just read?
I didn't go into this clueless. I knew this would be nothing like the Disney movie. In fact, I knew mostly everything. Why did I read it anyway? Because this work, for some reason, is on the Best Books of the 19th Century list. Also because the year is almost over and I hadn't read anything from the 1825-1850 block yet (yeah, I keep track of stuff like that), and it's short and public domain a.k.a. free for Kindle.
But even knowing most of the twisted stuff, I'm surprised by the futility of this story. I'm trying to figure out the point of it all; fairy tales were morality tales, right? So the moral here is not to be dissatisfied with your place in life. Or not to give up sure things and true people for unsure things and unknown people. Or hey kids, please be good so the sea foam spirits can get their immortal souls already.
The writing and descriptions are beautiful. But the story ... I'm not even a happily-ever-after reader, but this is so dark. Not meaningless, though. The mermaid's headlong choices hold cautionary meaning, to be sure. Perhaps this is a sort of foil to tales like The Wizard of Oz. The little mermaid learns too that there's no place like home. But she learns too late.
I didn't go into this clueless. I knew this would be nothing like the Disney movie. In fact, I knew mostly everything
Spoiler
i.e. the walking on knives thing and the unrequited love thing and the dies brokenhearted and turns into sea foam thing ... did not know about the tongue being cut out thingBut even knowing most of the twisted stuff, I'm surprised by the futility of this story. I'm trying to figure out the point of it all; fairy tales were morality tales, right? So the moral here is not to be dissatisfied with your place in life. Or not to give up sure things and true people for unsure things and unknown people. Or hey kids, please be good so the sea foam spirits can get their immortal souls already.
The writing and descriptions are beautiful. But the story ... I'm not even a happily-ever-after reader, but this is so dark. Not meaningless, though. The mermaid's headlong choices hold cautionary meaning, to be sure. Perhaps this is a sort of foil to tales like The Wizard of Oz. The little mermaid learns too that there's no place like home. But she learns too late.
kristenjane's review against another edition
4.0
It was very fascinating and different than the Disney movie! Also pretty dark.
dbguide2's review
adventurous
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Ariel’s always been one of my favourite Disney Princesses. It’s definitely the fact that she’s a mermaid and it’s sad that there aren’t more Little Mermaid adaptations! But I’m quite happy with what we got in Once Upon a Time and I can’t wait for the live-action adaptation!
It had gorgeous writing, just flowed across the pages and brought me into the story. It held true to the story we all know and love. The book also has The True-Hearted Tin Soldier, which was a happy surprise, as I love that story – so that was fun to see.
Fun fact: The words the little mermaid appears 49 times in the book.
akemi_666's review against another edition
4.0
You will never know how much I suffer for you.
Nor, perhaps, even want to.
"il n'y a pas de rapport sexuel."
Desire washed ashore like sea foam.
Broken by the sun's rays.
Nor, perhaps, even want to.
"il n'y a pas de rapport sexuel."
Desire washed ashore like sea foam.
Broken by the sun's rays.