Title: The Mermaid’s Daughter
Author: Ann Claycomb
First published March 7, 2017
448 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780062560698 (ISBN10: 0062560697)
Rating: 3.72
Overview
Ann Claycomb’s The Mermaid’s Daughter is a heart-wrenching story of a young woman named Kathleen who suffers from a mysterious ailment that only seawater can temporarily cure. As an opera student in Boston, Kathleen’s obsession with the sea and her phantom pain worries her girlfriend and her own sanity.
After a dangerous breakdown, Kathleen and her girlfriend venture to Ireland to uncover the mystery of her family’s history, only to discover a tragedy far beyond their imagination. Kathleen finds herself faced with a terrible choice between the sea and her lover, both of which mean certain death.
The hauntingly beautiful story asks the question: how far would you go for the ones you love, and can music overcome a curse that has plagued generations?
About the Author
Exciting news for book lovers! Ann Claycomb has announced the upcoming publication of her latest book, Silenced, set to be released in April 2023 in the UK and May 2023 in the US by Titan Books. The book tells the story of four women who have all suffered assault by their CEO, and who band together to break the curses he has placed on them to keep them quiet.
Ann is an avid reader of fairy tales and believes in the magic of Faerie, chocolate, and a good workout (not necessarily in that order). However, she is bothered by the overused phrase “fairy tales can come true” as it often overlooks the terrifying ordeals that many female characters face in these stories.
That’s why Ann enjoys retelling fairy tales, to bring attention to the dangers lurking behind the beautiful castles and the importance of staying on the right path.
Ann holds an MFA and an MA in English, and during her studies, she presented a controversial argument that the transformation of the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast” ruined the story. In 2017, she published her first novel, The Mermaid’s Daughter, which explores the idea that the Little Mermaid was trapped as a human and passed the curse down through generations of women who were unable to return to the sea.
Ann currently resides in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, children, two cats, and a mostly hairless dog.
Editoral Review
Ann Claycomb’s The Mermaid’s Daughter is a fresh take on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Little Mermaid. Published on March 7, 2017, the book explores the genre of magical realism and delves into themes of love, identity, and sacrifice.
The plot follows the life of Kathleen, a talented opera singer and the last bloodline of the mermaids. Her grandmother, a mermaid, took human form to love a mortal man, and in their ensuing marriage, she loses her immortality.
With only days left to live, Kathleen must find a way to break the curse that caused her grandmother’s death in order to save herself. Claycomb’s writing is lyrical and deeply emotional, which sets the tone for the entire book.
The author vividly paints the settings and the characters in the reader’s mind, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the world she created. The pacing is well-balanced, with enough action and revelation to keep the reader engaged without feeling rushed.
The characters are another strength of the book. Kathleen is a complex and dynamic protagonist with a strong sense of purpose, and the supporting cast, including Harry, Kathleen’s partner, and the opera composer, Evan, are each given a unique identity and voice.
The conflicts in the story are convincing and the resolutions are satisfying, leaving the readers with a sense of closure. Claycomb’s use of magical realism is an interesting element in the book, and she uses it effectively to explore themes of love and identity.
While the book’s main plot follows a mermaid’s curse, it also touches upon the theme of acceptance, both of oneself and of others, and the consequences of love and sacrifice. The only significant flaw of the book may be its pace, as it may be slower for readers who prefer a more action-oriented narrative.
However, this does not take away from the book’s overall merits and contributions to the genre. The Mermaid’s Daughter is a book perfect for readers who enjoy retellings of fairy tales or appreciate magical realism.
It is a tale of love and sacrifice, weaving a unique, compelling narrative that speaks to the heart. As such, we highly recommend The Mermaid’s Daughter to any reader looking for a poignant, thought-provoking and beautifully written novel.
Therefore, it earns a rating of 4.5 out of 5, a well-deserved rating for this magnificent novel.
