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Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,435 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Two sheltered princesses, one wounded warrior; who will live happily ever after?
Princess Margrethe has been hidden away while rumors of war threaten her kingdom. One gloomy, windswept morning, as she stands in a convent garden overlooking the icy sea, she witnesses a miracle: a glittering mermaid emerging from the waves, a nearly drowned man in her arms. By the time Margrethe reaches the shore, the mermaid has disappeared into the sea. As Margrethe nurses the handsome stranger back to health, she learns that he is not only a prince but also the son of her father’s greatest rival. Sure that the mermaid brought this man to her for a reason, Margrethe devises a plan to bring peace to her kingdom.
Meanwhile, the mermaid princess, Lenia, longs to return to the human man she carried to safety. She is willing to trade her home, her voice, and even her health for legs and the chance to win his heart.
A surprising take on the classic tale, Mermaid is the story of two women with everything to lose. Beautifully written and compulsively readable, it will make you think twice about the fairy tale you heard as a child, keeping you in suspense until the very last page.
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"I must be girlier than I thought. This story captivated me. It really spoke to the creative, imaginative, romantic heart in me. So if you like fantasy, fairytales, and letting your inner-child out to dream of far away places and beautiful worlds where anything is possible... Give it a try."
— Ana (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Vividly imagined and skillfully told, Mermaid is a dark tale that shimmers with light.”
— Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author -
“Mermaid is resplendent with shimmering details, the dark and thrilling story behind that comforting childhood memory. At once fresh and familiar, heartbreaking and full of hope, this dark retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid is like a gorgeous dream remembered.”
— Jeanine Cummins, bestselling author of A Rip in Heaven -
“Turgeon’s ability to breathe new life into the old bones of a beloved story we all think we know is unparalleled.”
— Anton Strout, author of the Simon Canderous series -
“There is a part of every reader that longs to return to the days of reading fairy tales and myths, when imagination had no limits and stories were spellbinding. Carolyn Turgeon’s Mermaid evokes just that feeling. She is one of my new favorite writers.”
— Jo-Ann Mapson, author of the Bad Girl Creek trilogy -
“Turgeon has done a superb job of creating compelling characters and conflict from a story already familiar to readers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“More robust than a fractured fairy tale, Turgeon’s brooding retelling gives voice to both women, fleshing out an essentially tragic tale of destiny and desire…Guaranteed to keep you guessing who—if anyone—will live happily ever after.”
— Booklist -
“Absorbing, poignant, and heartbreaking. Readers who love fairy-tale retellings will find this fresh take difficult to put down.”
— Library Journal -
“As moody and atmospheric as a gothic novel, Mermaid is a heartfelt portrait of young love and all its sweet complications. Sweeping and lush, an inspired and imaginative reimagining of my favorite fairy tale.”
— Timothy Schaffert, author of The Coffins of Little Hope -
“A gothic love triangle with two equally matched heroines. This isn’t kid’s stuff.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Magical and mysterious, Mermaid’s twist on a classic tale is as ingenious as it is delightful.”
— Caroline Leavitt, author of Pictures of You -
“Turgeon takes the classic telling of The Little Mermaid, in all its original gore and beauty, and knocks its barrel on its side. Out of the top spills wondrous things; the perspective of Margrethe is beautifully rendered, and the stages of friendship to rivalry to grief to friendship between Lenia and Margrethe are so distinctly drawn and realistic that the reader will delight in them.”
— RT Book Reviews
Mermaid Listener Reviews
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" This is not your Disney movie mermaid. A different take on the old story. It's a love triangle worth reading! "
— Lisa, 2/19/2014 -
" Well-written and paced. Beautiful imagery. Lovely retelling of the little mermaid tale. Can't wait to read more of this author's works! "
— Jane, 2/17/2014 -
" Too religious, but a nice quick read "
— Lori, 2/7/2014 -
" I picked this up because I can't resist a good mermaid tail, I mean tale. I admit to be disappointed in the previous book I read this by this author concerning Cinderella but owing in part to the subject matter, I found this book somewhat better. This is a retelling of sorts of the classic Hand Christian Anderson story of a mermaid girl who gives it all up for the love of a prince. The chapters alternate between Lenia, the mermaid and Margrethe the princess. Lenia finds prince Christopher in the ocean drowning and turns him over to Margrethe on land. Both girls decide they can't live without Christopher and set off to be with him with Lenia arriving first minus a tail and a tongue. Christopher has a baby with Lenia but must marry Margrethe in order to unite their two kingdoms and prevent war. The last part of the book was reworked from the tragedy of the Anderson tale in order to facilitate a more happy ending. Fans of fairy tales and mermaid stories will find a lot to enjoy here. This is a recommended read. "
— Ariel, 2/5/2014 -
" Maybe not the best fiction book out there, but I LOVED this story! I liked the different approach to a favorite fairy tale! "
— Hentsla, 2/4/2014 -
" Mermaid is a fun, easy read that had me up late last night, anxious to find out what would happen to Margrethe and Lenia. I only wish I had read the Hans Christian Anderson story first so I could know where this story departs from the original. "
— Jill, 1/31/2014 -
" Didn't like it. It was a book though that kept you reading till the last page. But the ending of the book was rather disappointing from my point of view. Well, the author led the characters to a dead end in the middle of the book and composed a novel on how nobody can really be happy in the end. And it didn't even have anything to do with the character's choices! All of them brokenhearted in the end, unless you can take for a happy ending that everyone involved survived. If most of them died, it would be a fair enough dark twist to the fairytale. But instead you have a sad ending trying to look happy. And in the last paragraph of the last page leaves you feeling that everything written so far was in vain. Disappointed. "
— Pavi, 1/29/2014 -
" i love it ! it was an easy read book, but it was soo good! on of my top 10, i do recomend this !!! "
— Silje, 1/19/2014 -
" Good story. Wished it was more in-depth :( "
— Huntley, 1/17/2014 -
" A story that is very much like the Little Mermaid by Disney but a little more grown up. The end is different of course and the names are changed, but overall a magical story to be enjoyed. "
— Mary, 1/9/2014 -
" This was a very quick and sweet read. The story is based off of The Little Mermaid with a more adult twist. I read this book in just over a day and thouroughly enjoyed it. "
— Konnie, 1/8/2014 -
" It was a good read, didnt really get my attention till late in the middle to end of the book, slow going. "
— Kelly, 12/9/2013 -
" quite seductive in parts. interesting twist on an old classic. "
— Wendy, 12/9/2013 -
" A very close telling of The Little Mermaid, this adult tale adds another dimension with the likable Princess Margrethe. I thought I knew how the story would end, I was wrong. The story could have used greater depth, but it was a fun quick read. "
— Carmela, 11/22/2013 -
" Do you like fairy tales, princesses, mermaids??? You'll love this one! "
— Deb, 11/11/2013 -
" I remember being 8 years old and falling in love with the Disney Version of The Little Mermaid. Reading this book took me back to that child-like wonder of being totally entranced with a fairy tale. It was beautifully written, moving, Mythic and larger than life. I loved it!!! "
— Shahd, 7/5/2013 -
" Foi um livro interessante, mas prefiro realmente o conto original. "
— Filipa, 4/9/2013 -
" Entertaining. Follows the original fairy tale closely. "
— Nancy, 4/3/2013 -
" It was a great story, full of pain, love and sacrifice. If you like fairy tales, you'll love this this one. I highly recommend this book. "
— Patricia, 9/6/2012 -
" A cute, whimsical tale of what women will do for love. "
— Syrena, 7/6/2012
About Carolyn Turgeon
Carolyn Turgeon is the author of the novels Rain Village, Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story, Mermaid, and The Next Full Moon. She lives in Pennsylvania and is at work on her next novel, a retelling of “Rapunzel.”
About Rosalyn Landor
Rosalyn Landor is an English-born television, theater, and multiple-award-winning audiobook narrator. Her television credits include Love in a Cold Climate, Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has won numerous Audie awards and AudioFile magazine Earphones awards.