Reviews

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey

nat008's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

A story about a mermaid, who gets rescued by a man after American fishermen caught her. Set on a Carribean island in a small community, it slightly explores the legacy of slavery, but is a love story first and foremost. It also deals with jealousy and how woman can treat each other at their worst. The weaving together of folklore and "modern" day life was very enjoyable. I liked how the book was divided into two POVs - prose, divided in stanzas, by the mermaid, diary entries from present day David, and a third-person narrator from David's POV as well. I would've loved to read more from Aycayias perspective though. The diverse cast of characters was well fleshed out. I didn't enjoy how sexual some of it was, and the descriptions of what different men wanted to do once they saw the mermaid; it got a bit excessive in my opinion. It was also kind of weird how often Aycayias innocence and youthfulness were emphasised - she is an adult that's having sex after all, and has been alive for thousands of years now.
All in all an enjoyable book though.

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

3.0

American fishermen hook a mermaid in the Caribbean. Explores the legacy of slavery, how women treat each other and extended families, a bit of environmentalism thrown in. I thought it was an original portrayal of the mermaid legend from her perspective.

chloew94's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad slow-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? No

2.0

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I loved the narration! It has two narrators for the two POVs and it was well done, the main narrator does an amazing job of voices! I loved getting the mermaid’s Pov and wish we had more from her. Her narrative was told through a sort of prose while David’s is told through third person and journal entries. 

I enjoyed the cast of characters for the most part. They’re all so complex and intriguing but at one point it did get confusing tracking them all, I think mostly because I listened to the audio version.

Not a fan of how sexual the book is. The talk about wanting to do things to the mermaid and sexual organs was a little excessive for me. I hate when authors use “her sex” to describe body parts, it makes me cringe 😭 and the amount of men feeling things “in their balls” or how often the author brought up how innocent and young the mermaid was, in turn making her “better” than the rest of the women was uncomfortable. 

I liked the intertwining of mythology and folklore into the story, as well as the discussions of colonialism and wish there was more of that and less sex.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual violence

Minor: Homophobia, Slavery, and Blood

taaja's review against another edition

emotional tense slow-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

3.0

marianne_clh's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-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? No

3.0

mj_sharps's review against another edition

3.5

I really liked this - the writing style was really interesting and varied, from David’s creole English to the mermaid’s kind of prose.  I love myths and legends and folklore and the way they shape and influence cultures and communities - and this was a really engaging story reimagining a legend that comes true for the people of Black Conch.  A very different portrayal of a mermaid, compared to the Disney / westernised version. 

lisaelise13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

abbie_bryant's review against another edition

medium-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

4.0

ayetreads's review against another edition

5.0

I felt like I was reading a literary classic with The Mermaid of Black Conch. It has fantasy elements but it's also steeped with life. I did not want to put this book down but I also don't want it to end. I found myself pacing my reading time because I know I can finish this in one day but I just want to stay in this world.

I love the mermaid, Aycayia, David, miss Rain, Reggie, and even Life. The author is amazing at creating a world that is lived in and exploring the complicated relationship of coastal communities with a history of slavery and division.

The glimpses of Aycayia's previous life with her tribe and family were also a delight. The storytelling is masterful. I wish there's more.