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The Mermaid of Black Conch

The spellbinding winner of the Costa Book of the Year as read on BBC Radio 4
By Monique Roffey
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Check link for latest rating. ( 19,359 ratings, 2,296 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey, a mermaid named Aycayia is captured by fishermen off the coast of a small Caribbean island during a fishing competition. Her story unfolds through the bonds she forms with the islanders, revealing themes of love, transformation, and redemption, against a vivid backdrop of island life and folklore.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating tale if you have a fondness for magical realism and richly woven narratives set in the Caribbean. It beautifully blends folklore, history, and romance, telling the story of a mermaid who is caught by fishermen and then transformed amidst the complexities of life on land. If you appreciate stories that delve into themes of love, freedom, and transformation, this novel offers a unique and enchanting journey.

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"The Mermaid of Black Conch spins the enchanting tale of a cursed mythical creature and the lonely fisherman who falls in love with her"--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Escape to the ocean this summer with the Costa Book of the Year 2020.

Escape to the ocean with the entrancing, unforgettable winner of the Costa Book of the Year - as read on BBC Radio 4.

'Mesmerising' - MAGGIE O'FARRELL

'A unique talent' - BERNARDINE EVARISTO

'Wonderful' - BRIDGET COLLINS

'Brilliant' - CLARE CHAMBERS

Near the island of Black Conch, a fisherman sings to himself while waiting for a catch. But David attracts a sea-dweller that he never expected - Aycayia, an innocent young woman cursed by jealous wives to live as a mermaid.

When American tourists capture Aycayia, David rescues her and vows to win her trust. Slowly, painfully, she transforms into a woman again. Yet as their love grows, they discover that the world around them is changing - and they cannot escape the curse for ever . . .

'A bittersweet love story . . . A joy to read' - BBC News

'A fiercely modern mermaid story' - The Times

'Wondrous . . . A striking achievement' - Sunday Times

'Not your standard mermaid' - MARGARET ATWOOD

'Exquisite' - ELIZABETH MACNEAL

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey receives high praise for its daring and mesmerising narrative, with its unpredictable plot and a captivating blend of myth and modernity. Reviewers commend the book for its evocative and immersive world-building, with storytelling that intertwines wonder and reality through exquisite writing. The novel is celebrated as a compelling tale that effectively captures the essence of magic realism, earning its place as a potentially timeless classic.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529115499

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 June 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 191g

Pages: 272

Collections

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About the Author

Monique Roffey was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and lives in London. She is the author of seven novels and a memoir. The Mermaid of Black Conch won the Costa Book of the Year and the Costa Novel Award and was shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize and the Goldsmiths Prize. Her other highly acclaimed books include Archipelago, which won the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, The White Woman on the Green Bicycle and House of Ashes. In addition to her work as an environmental activist, she is a professor of contemporary fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University.

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