The surface breaks : a reimagining of The little mermaid

by Louise O'Neill

Other authorsH. C. Andersen
Paper Book, 2018

Status

Checked out
Due 8-05-2022

Call number

823.92

Publication

London : Scholastic, 2018.

Description

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: story-telling at its most spellbinding.

User reviews

LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
A darkly seething novel about women's empowerment and self-love if they can only identify and then break their shackles. It's an unflinching retelling of the fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" and examines the phenomenon of voicelessness well. The ending is not entirely satisfying, though rage can be
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quite cathartic. There is frank discussion of sexual violence for anyone who needs a warning.
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LibraryThing member TheBookNookNC
I love this more female empowering take on a classic fairytale. I love how the main character grows and becomes stronger and the choice she makes at the end.

The UK hardback is gorgeous. The dust jacket art is fantastic and the naked cover art is pretty as well.

Awards

Irish Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
YA Book Prize (Shortlist — 2019)

Language

Original publication date

2018

Physical description

20 cm

ISBN

9781407185538

Barcode

3961
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