Reviews

Mermaid Fillet by Mia Arderne

lulu2121's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Took me a while to get into it, but it was amazing. Lots of Afrikaans and lots of references that I didn't understand, but that is what makes this book so special. It was amazing reading about Cape Town while being in Cape Town. The twists and turns of the story were surprising and so well thought out. The stories intertwined beautifully. Loved it.

codi_codi's review against another edition

5.0

OH MY POES! This book!

Look out for a review from me on this important book soon. Will be the first book in years that I ask myself to review. My body is screaming and crying in unrelenting joy about this debut.

Dankie Mia. Vi alles. Djy herrit!

the_wanderer's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

what a fun time this was. it doesn't quite stick the landing, but despite it's dark subject matter it maintains a funny and thoughtful narration. would be interesting to know how people who aren't familiar with the cape town-ness of it all. overall it's just a lovely wild ride.

_b_a_l_'s review against another edition

3.0

Wasn't entirely sure what was happening a lot of the time - but its a definite vibe.

janaaier's review against another edition

4.0

all TWs and CWs apply to this meditation on violence. Ambitious in structure, quotable, immersive, and always interesting.

bookishliz_'s review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

katereadsgreat's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

tiredtannah's review against another edition

challenging funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

emjaysmusings's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In this Cape Town, there’s a Goddess who casts raging red storms when female bodies are abused. It’s a place where women try to redefine their space in society. This is the story of a network of wannabe gangsters, the search for a Tamagotchi and the smokkeling of mermaid tails. Mermaid Fillet is about violence, feminism and how you dala what you must.

"People think that balance is gentle. But she knew that balance is a fight. You have to fight for balance. It requires resistance. It requires inconvenience. It requires awkwardness. Balance is not a thing of ease. Peace is not effortless, [she] came to realise. Peace is not effortless. Peace is not effortles. Peace is not effortless. Peace is worked for and cultivated." 

This book will stay with me for a long time. It was not an easy read and yet, so much of it was relatable. Growing up as a coloured person in South Africa, these characters and their stories are me, my family and neighbors. 

mishreads6_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0