The Mermaid Chair: A Novel by Sue Monk Kidd Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Mermaid Chair: A Novel
Book Review: Like looking in a mirror
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd read The Secret Life of Bees a couple years ago, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't amaze me. This book did.
Jessie is a woman who has done what so many others have; She had given up her passion, dreams, and her identity to being a wife and a mother. When she goes back to the island where she grew up, she grew into the passionate, inquisitive woman she used to be. I don't believe this book is a romance; it's a woman who finds herself and redeems herself in her own eyes.
My only slight disappointment in this book was that her and Hugh reconcile. I don't believe that there is any coming back from cheating, which is what she did. And while she says that she kept her newfound independence, I don't believe so. And the book ends too quickly to really give any evidence of that she did.
Overall this was a beautifully written tale of a woman traveling to find herself and learning to love what she found inside.
Book Review: Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I went out and bought this immediately after finishing Secret Life of Bees, because I had enjoyed that so much. Unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it! The story dragged, and the foreshadowing took away whatever mystery there might have been. Hated the main character (Jessie) - her self reflection was childish & her "self-discovery" was trite and stereotypical. Now, all that said - Kidd writes beautifully. This one just needed a better story & better characters...Book Review: Beautiful language and emotion even if a bit unbelievable plot
Summary: 4 Stars
I think that the language in this book was beautiful. She did a fantastic job of creating a picturesque scene of her island setting. I loved the voice of the main character and her emotional ride. I thought the story was a bit unbelieveable at parts and the ending was a bit forced. But I really enjoyed it and would read again.Book Review: Just not feeling it
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is like one of those movies you go see where you stay until the end just to see if it will get any better and ultimately you realize you've wasted your time and money. I could not connect with any of the characters in the book and the main character I really did not like at all. She is selfish, uninteresting and really does not even come across as a talented artist (which is what we are to suppose she would have become had she not married and raised a child). This book is supposed to explore how a woman finds herself. I don't quite get how she finds herself by leaving her husband only to fall into bed with another man? It's unclear why she felt so lost in her marriage to begin with. Her husband is loving, devoted as both a husband and a father and has a wonderful career; what's to complain about? Jesse, the main character is the one that seems to be lacking in both ambition and personality. How many woman are married, raise children, have a career and a life outside of their marriage that includes a wonderful circle of friends. Besides all that, the love story between Jessie and Whit (the monk) is just lacking. There's no build-up, no longing to see them together and I really couldn't feel the connection or the sparks between them. Boring.
Book Review: A disappointment...what's all the hub-bub about?
Summary: 3 Stars
Granted, this book is easy to read, but do we really want to? Yes, it examines the human heart, it's yearnings, failings, frailties, but there are other books out there that can get you to examine these issues in a more intelligent way. Her mother cutting off her fingers for what it turns out to be a RIDICULOUS reason. The RIDICULOUS conspiracy between a few old ladies and a respected monk? Oh My GOD! I was shocked once the story wrapped up and these revelations were made. What a waste of my time. Not to mention the dreaded AFFAIR WITH A MONK! Oh, please. Despite all my misgivings, I have still given the book 3 stars, because it did lure me in, which in itself is an accomplishment. But, being lured in, and ending up satisfied are two different things. Don't waste your time. Read the great philosophers if you want to examine human nature and your own inner workings.