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A review by caseythereader
American Mermaid by Julia Langbein
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thanks to Doubleday Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- AMERICAN MERMAID is two stories in one: Penelope's move to Hollywood interspersed with excerpts from the novel that took her there. As the book progresses, the two stories begin to converge and reality muddles.
- This book is an outrageous satire, each chapter more outlandish than the last, all commenting on the commercialization and flattening of modern feminism.
- However, I do want to note that there is some majorly ableist language and thought that is never really addressed (the book within the book's heroine is in a wheelchair), as well as some murky inclusion of asexuality that is only kind of explored. It wasn't clear to me if these viewpoints were of the characters or of the author.
- AMERICAN MERMAID is two stories in one: Penelope's move to Hollywood interspersed with excerpts from the novel that took her there. As the book progresses, the two stories begin to converge and reality muddles.
- This book is an outrageous satire, each chapter more outlandish than the last, all commenting on the commercialization and flattening of modern feminism.
- However, I do want to note that there is some majorly ableist language and thought that is never really addressed (the book within the book's heroine is in a wheelchair), as well as some murky inclusion of asexuality that is only kind of explored. It wasn't clear to me if these viewpoints were of the characters or of the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Drug use, Suicide attempt, War, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Animal death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma