A review by barefootmegz
The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

4.0

O'Neill's writing is remarkable in that she can make the reader viscerally uncomfortable - and she does it so well. When a book is marketed as a "feminist retelling", it often means that the sex/gender/sexuality of a protagonist is changed, or that it is written from a girls-kick-ass point of view. The Surface Breaks sets the old fairytale within the known patriarchy, but highlights the damaging narratives.

I usually like a bit more variation from the original in any kind of retelling. Another reviewer here said that this is more a "fleshing out" than necessarily a retelling, which is spot on. Still, a favourite of the year.