Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sirena
Book Review: A fair book
Summary: 3 Stars
So my friend was reading this book and the cover got my intrest. SOon after I read Sirena and now heres what I think. The overall idea for this story was excellent. I thought Sirena was intresting so I put it in my guide. Now there is a basic conflict here, the reading level for this is probaly around ten or eleven but it has content of like 16 or 17. A really good mythology book would be Troy. The plot in Sirena was basic, she needed immortality but was not as cruel as her sisters so she swam away. Then this dude who is destined to kill Paris gets abanded on her island. They are all happy until the guy wants to leave because hes tired of just lying in the middle of nowhere with a siren. So on and so on.
I wouldn't tell you to go right out and buy it but if you could check it out from the Library eventually that would be good.
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Book Review: A fiction wound into another...
Summary: 5 Stars
I really LOVED this book. The first time I read it, I enjoyed it but not as much as I did the second. The amazing thing is, is that the entire story is based on the myth of Philoctetes being trapped on the island of Lemnos. I loved how the author was basically able to slip her own character in there to make his stay on the island less lonely and more interesting.The book is really wonderful and I really really enjoyed it.
Book Review: A lovely and memorable read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this was a lovely tale set in the classical world of mythology. The story is about a young mermaid, Sirena, who wants to find a love that is true, not one that is formed because of her mesmerizing, enchanting singing. It was sort of deceptively simply written - very clear, very easy to read, but by no means simplistic. The straightforward style was so unexpected and refreshing when the tale was so much in the realm of fantasy and classical mythology. The result was that the world of gods, goddesses, mystical creatures and heroes was entirely believable. The hero she falls in love with, Philoctetes, was warm, humorous and down-to-earth, and you really felt for the lovely, melancholy, intelligent Sirena and understood how she was feeling.Ultimately I thought this story was about finding love even if you are "different." Sirena is afraid that her mermaid's tail will repulse Philoctetes, but she ultimately finds out otherwise. What a lovely message about acceptance of yourself and others, and of hope. Don't miss this one.
Book Review: A story that sparkles...
Summary: 5 Stars
Personally, I think this book deserves ten stars. If someone were to ask me what my favorite book is, I think I would have to point to this one! Donna Jo Napoli has done an out-of-this-world job. Her writing style is very unique. I believe I saw it described as "sugary" elsewhere, but I can't agree with that. Her imagery is almost surreal in its vividness. You can taste the salt water and hear the cries of their three guardian birds. You can feel in your own chest the wracking sobs of Sirena and her sisters when they inadvertantly cause the death of a ship filled with Greek warriors who - unknown to the young mermaids - don't know how to swim. Napoli's love scenes, while suggestive, aren't crude or overly graphic. They are sweet and tender, and it is obvious how deeply Sirena loves Philoctetes. I also appreciate that Napoli doesn't tell the reader why we should fall in love with Philoctetes, or why we should sympathize with Sirena, she SHOWS it. She makes us feel for this sea maiden. Sirena herself is a heroine such as I have not found in many other novels. She captures the mind with her innocence and her own strong sense of honor and morals. You can't help but love her. She sparkles.
Admittedly, this book is geared more toward girls and women; boys may not have the attention span or interest in a story such as this, as it centers more around love and sacrificing for your partner than on war and fighting. But Sirena does offer a very hopeful message for girls who may be struggling with their personal identity. I found it very comforting and still do. It may be inappropriate for very young children, but when the time comes I will have no hesitation about giving this book to my teenage daughters.
In short, don't listen to the naysayers! Especially if you love Greek mythology, as I do: you will get a great deal more out of this story if you are familiar with the stories that surround it. Napoli very skillfully weaves these legends into Sirena's tale. If you are familiar with the Greek myths, you will have a much greater appreciateion for what it must have taken to create this story. I am now on a mission to find other, similar stories about mermaids, as they are my favorite mythological creature and have a lot of personal significance for me, but I'm sure this one will always have a place of honor on my bookshelf, no matter how full it gets.
Book Review: A unique story of a mermaid...
Summary: 4 Stars
"Sirena" was a wonderful book, which I enjoyed completely. However...its not your traditional mermaid story of a lovesick mermaid who eventually got turned into a human and lived happily ever after! Actually, "Sirena" incorporates mythological gods and creatures and portrays the mermaids as half-fish, half-god. The mermaids are given the gift of song, to seduce men and so gain immortality. But Sirena is different. Although she too possesses the gift of song, she chooses not to send the men to their death. Instead she saves a young man who was bitten by a serpent from death and falls in love with him...
This was a wonderful fantasy, and definitely worth the reading.