A review by suneaters
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

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

3.75

It took me awhile to really like and root for the two main characters. There’s a lot that’s sympathetic about them—one has a wife and child lost at birth and the other is prostituted. However, it took time for me to really and truly root for them, especially Angelica. I honestly felt she was immature for 27 and getting into debts like girl this George guy already tried to leave you once! It also seemed like there was a foreshadowing about Bel that just never happened? 
I liked the magical realism and how we never got a straight answer as to if any of it was real which was neat. I appreciated the ambiguity. The historical racism, sexism, and classism is also here and you can tell how it impacts everyone. I was so worried about Polly, but that last scene with Mrs. Chappel does seem to imply that she’s alright which is good! 
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