The Mermaid Chair: A Novel
13 journalers for this copy...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion." "When Jessie is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother's seemingly inexplicable act of violence, she is living a conventional life with her husband, Hugh, a life "molded to the smallest space possible." Jessie loves Hugh, but once there, she finds herself drawn to Brother Thomas, a monk who is soon to take his final vows. Amid a rich community of unforgettable island women and the exotic beauty of marshlands, tidal creeks, and majestic egrets, Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, with a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right and the immutable force of home and marriage." "Is the power of the mermaid chair only a myth? Or will it alter the course of Jessie's life? What transpires will unlock the roots of her mother's tormented past, but most of all, it will allow Jessie to make a marriage unto herself." The Mermaid Chair is a novel about mermaids and saints, about the passions of the spirit and the ecstasies of the body. It illuminates the awakening of a woman to her own deepest self.
"Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion." "When Jessie is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother's seemingly inexplicable act of violence, she is living a conventional life with her husband, Hugh, a life "molded to the smallest space possible." Jessie loves Hugh, but once there, she finds herself drawn to Brother Thomas, a monk who is soon to take his final vows. Amid a rich community of unforgettable island women and the exotic beauty of marshlands, tidal creeks, and majestic egrets, Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, with a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right and the immutable force of home and marriage." "Is the power of the mermaid chair only a myth? Or will it alter the course of Jessie's life? What transpires will unlock the roots of her mother's tormented past, but most of all, it will allow Jessie to make a marriage unto herself." The Mermaid Chair is a novel about mermaids and saints, about the passions of the spirit and the ecstasies of the body. It illuminates the awakening of a woman to her own deepest self.
I liked this book more than I thought I would, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't really expecting a southern-set fiction book, for some reason I thought it would be one of those heavy literary type books. Boy, was I in for a good surprise! Very well written, a story about a woman going through some sort of middle-age crisis. Stunted by her past, she only is able to move forward by discovering why her mother chops off her own finger. The story is set in South Carolina - a funny on this one, I grew in the lowcountry and I love to read about it and I was racking my brain trying to figure out where this island was, I could not remember such a island. At the end, the author notes that the island is a figment of her imagination... *laugh*
Journal Entry 3 by candieb at USPS By Media Mail in -- Paperbackswap.com, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (2/22/2006 UTC) at USPS By Media Mail in -- Paperbackswap.com, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing to a member who requested it.
Mailing to a member who requested it.
thanks candieb for sending this one!
this one missed a little, for me. i better not say for fear of spoiling, but let's just say i had higher expectations :) interesting read, though; i loved the description of the island and the legends there. i read "When the Heart Waits" a few weeks ago, and saw a lot of similarities in Jessie and in what the author was going through.
it's one of the top 10 most wished for books...bookring beginning! please try to turn the book around within four weeks.
the order will change as more people join. any questions, just ask!
chambejd (MA, US)<--it's here
MommyMace (MA, US)
Ladybug01 (VA, anywhere)
missprisy (MA)
yinny (Netherlands, Europe)
lovesbooks05 (UK, Eur. pref)
musicgirl4 (UK, Europe, near the end)
this one missed a little, for me. i better not say for fear of spoiling, but let's just say i had higher expectations :) interesting read, though; i loved the description of the island and the legends there. i read "When the Heart Waits" a few weeks ago, and saw a lot of similarities in Jessie and in what the author was going through.
it's one of the top 10 most wished for books...bookring beginning! please try to turn the book around within four weeks.
the order will change as more people join. any questions, just ask!
chambejd (MA, US)<--it's here
MommyMace (MA, US)
Ladybug01 (VA, anywhere)
missprisy (MA)
yinny (Netherlands, Europe)
lovesbooks05 (UK, Eur. pref)
musicgirl4 (UK, Europe, near the end)
I received this in the mail and will start it tonight! Thanks!
What a sad, sad story. The book was enjoyable, but left me feeling the pain of six characters.
Thanks for sharing this book with me.
This book was mailed to mommymace on 6/28/06.
Thanks for sharing this book with me.
This book was mailed to mommymace on 6/28/06.
This book was waiting for me when I returned from vacation in July. I just finished it last night. I enjoyed the book, I loved the feeling and atmosphere of Egret Island. I enjoyed Jessie's character, but sometimes wondered why the characters did certain things... and I won't give any more away.... I must say I had higher expectations for this book. I thought The Secret Life of Bees was much better.
I emailed Ladybug01 and will send this book off to her right away!
Thanks for including me in this ring.
I emailed Ladybug01 and will send this book off to her right away!
Thanks for including me in this ring.
My apologies for having this book for too long - we're remodeling and then the holidays came too fast!
I read the book in October. This book looks at love from many perspectives, and the many choices that have to be made in life. The author writes vividly about everything she describes in this book, I wish I could visit Egret Island!
Sending this to missprisy today!
I read the book in October. This book looks at love from many perspectives, and the many choices that have to be made in life. The author writes vividly about everything she describes in this book, I wish I could visit Egret Island!
Sending this to missprisy today!
Arrived today, I have another bookring to read before I'll get to this one. Thanks for sending it on Ladybug01.
I truely enjoyed reading this book. I had heard the book wasn't very good. I'm glad I still read it because I thought it was a great love story. I've PMed Yinny for a mailing address and will mail this once I get it.Release #6 for Guinaveve's Keep Them Moving 2007 Challenge
Journal Entry 11 by Yinny from Capelle aan den IJssel, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, February 7, 2007
And the book is in Holland!
Journal Entry 12 by Yinny from Capelle aan den IJssel, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Sunday, February 11, 2007
I don't know what to think about this book...It was a bit disappointing, though still it was a lovely story. Perhaps I shouldn't have read The secret life of bees so short before this book. The descriptions of the settings were wonderful, but the story is just a bit...down..I don't know how to describe it exactly, but it made me feel uncomfortable, sad, and not in a good way.
edit: lovesbooks05 has already read the book so I'll contact the next participant
edit: lovesbooks05 has already read the book so I'll contact the next participant
Journal Entry 13 by Yinny at controlled release in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (2/14/2007 UTC) at controlled release in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
To the next reader!
To the next reader!
Journal Entry 14 by musicgirl4 from -- Somewhere in E Yorks, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 3, 2007
Sorry for delay in journaling this book.I received it last week.May be a while before I can start it.If this is a problem please tell me and I will send it on to the next person. Thanks
Journal Entry 15 by musicgirl4 from -- Somewhere in E Yorks, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I really enjoyed this book even more than "The Secret Life of Bees" I was nearly put off this book due to some of the reviews. I wonder if it is an age thing! Having just turned 40 I could relate to some of the feelings that Jessie was experiencing, the need to find the person behind the mother, wife, friend, etc. Though there is a difference I am happily married!I am awaiting instructions as to what to do with the book.
15/05/07 Surfenkitten has given me permission to continue the bookring.
Interested participants.
Bookcloud UK
madmadge UK
Pell Italy
bluestocking88 USA
Back to Surfenkitten
15/05/07 Surfenkitten has given me permission to continue the bookring.
Interested participants.
Bookcloud UK
madmadge UK
Pell Italy
bluestocking88 USA
Back to Surfenkitten
Journal Entry 16 by musicgirl4 at controlled crossing in South Cave, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, June 18, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (6/18/2007 UTC) at controlled crossing in South Cave, East Yorkshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Bookcloud. Hope you enjoy it.
Sent to Bookcloud. Hope you enjoy it.
Received today, thankyou. I'll get round to reading this very soon
Just finished reading this lovely book. It is (IMO), beautifully written and a lovely story. I will definitely be looking to read more from SMK
Passed to me by my sister Bookcloud today. Thank you musicgirl4 for including me in this ring.
Another book that I would probably not even dreamed of buying in the normal course of events but which came to me in a bookring and which I enjoyed immensely. The story of a woman who is intent on finding herself, trying to escape from every day life which she feels is dragging her down. To do this she must confront her past and in doing so comes to understand the reasons behind her mother's seeming madness and also falls in love with somebody she has no right to. I loved it. I will be passing it on to Pell in Italy when I have her details.
Arrived safely to Italy, looking forward to starting it. Thank you Madmadge
Like some of the other readers this book was not what i was expecting, but i really enjoyed reading it and loved the descriptions the author made of the islands, etc.
Will forward to Bluestocking88 when i receive her details.
Will forward to Bluestocking88 when i receive her details.
Posted today from Canino Italy to Bluestocking88
Journal Entry 24 by Bluestocking88 from -- Wild released somewhere in the state, Washington USA on Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Arrived in today's mail. Hope to get it moved on soon, but I do have three rings ahead of it.
Journal Entry 25 by Bluestocking88 from -- Wild released somewhere in the state, Washington USA on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
This was an uncomfortable book to read almost from the beginning because you could see how Jessie's actions were going to hurt herself and her family, but at the same time you knew she was going to dive in and risk losing it all. Her marriage didn't seem flawed at the beginning, perhaps it would have been a smoother transition from housewife to shameless adulterous if more friction was shown between her and Hugh. I could completely relate to her feeling a bit lost about who she was, but boy did her relationship with Thomas blow up in a hurry considering she'd been the model wife and mother for over 20 years.
I found the characters interesting, the story of Nelle was great the way it unfolded, and I loved the sisterhood of the women on the island. I though Hugh was a little too kind. I don't know to many spouses in his situation that would have been so kind.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the island, and the characters, but I agree it wasn't quite as wonderful as the Secret Life of Bees.
I will be sending this home to surfenkitten as soon as I get her address.
I found the characters interesting, the story of Nelle was great the way it unfolded, and I loved the sisterhood of the women on the island. I though Hugh was a little too kind. I don't know to many spouses in his situation that would have been so kind.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the island, and the characters, but I agree it wasn't quite as wonderful as the Secret Life of Bees.
I will be sending this home to surfenkitten as soon as I get her address.
back home again, what a journey! thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to bluestocking88 for being such a dedicated "last reader"....;)
will release in my OBCZ...what a story this book has to tell....!
will release in my OBCZ...what a story this book has to tell....!
Journal Entry 27 by surfenkitten at Starbucks in Haddonfield, New Jersey USA on Saturday, October 20, 2007
RELEASE NOTES:
left on the shelves in the side room with the other books!
left on the shelves in the side room with the other books!
I happened upon the book just after my own mom had a stroke and I was called upon to take care of her, so my fate was somewhat linked with that of the protagonist in the novel. I really believe fate placed it in my hands. I enjoyed the story of Jessie. I also loved the relationship between her mother and her girlfriends. I love the way this writer emphasizes the importance of friendships among women. I am now ready to release the book for someone else to find and enjoy. This was my first bookcrossing experience and I think the idea is wonderful!!!
CAUGHT IN HADDONFIELD NEW JERSEY USA
CAUGHT IN HADDONFIELD NEW JERSEY USA
