Sue Monk Kidd’s stunning debut, The Secret Life of Bees, has transformed her into a genuine literary star. Now, in her much-anticipated new novel, Kidd has woven a transcendent tale that will thrill her legion of fans and cement her reputation as one of the most remarkable writers at work today.

Inside the abbey of a Benedictine monastery on tiny 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.

Jessie Sullivan’s conventional life has been “molded to the smallest space possible.” So when she is called home to cope with her mother’s startling and enigmatic act of violence, Jessie finds herself relieved to be apart from her husband, Hugh. Jessie loves Hugh, but on Egret Island— amid the gorgeous marshlands and tidal creeks—she becomes drawn to Brother Thomas, a monk who is mere months from taking his final vows. What transpires will unlock the roots of her mother’s tormented past, but most of all, as Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, she will find a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right.

What inspires the yearning for a soul mate? Few writers have explored, as Kidd does, the lush, unknown region of the feminine soul where the thin line between the spiritual and the erotic exists. The Mermaid Chair is a vividly imagined novel about the passions of the spirit and the ecstasies of the body; one that illuminates a woman’s self-awakening with the brilliance and power that only a writer of Kidd’s ability could conjure.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left on the book buffet table at the KC UnConvention.

I've been wanting this book for a while, ever since Discoverylover released it on a chair beside the ocean on the best day of my life.

This was worth the wait. And the weight on the flight home. I've been reading it in the cab, and I've just finished it.

There's passion in this story, passion of a kind that interests me greatly, with a similar theme occupying my own thoughts as I write a very different story. The details and the rich intricacy of the plot, with surprises and twists at every turn, enthralled me. What was the secret, I wondered. Secrets, really.

And, underlying all, the smell, the pluff mud, the wildlife and the culture of the Carolina coast, glimpsed during my visits to Charleston. Gullah, the old slave crafts, the sea bounty, the religion - it's a heady, beguiling mix.

Thanks for bringing this, Goaliegirl! I'll have to hunt up The Secret Life of Bees now!

Snavelled at the BC Canberra Christmas Cheer at King O'Malley's with great elation!

I have heard such very good things about Sue Monk Kidd that I was wanting to read this second book by her.

I read this in August 2010 but didn't journal it on BC ... (smack o' the wrist!)

Rating: 8*
This was a great book! It was very well written. I can’t fault it in any way. It is testimony to its skill that I became thoroughly emersed in it and it moved me to feel many emotions.
I became angry at the main character, Jessie. I just wanted to shake her. Such a selfish so and so. I won’t go further into my feelings about her but the fact that I felt so strongly reflects (personal experience and) the skill of the book to capture Jessie’s thoughts and feelings so well.
I felt that another ending would perhaps have been more just. But that’s immaterial. People’s lives don’t run neatly and to plan, so I think the book and it’s ending were very true to life.
I loved being on the island with Kat, Hephzibah, Benne, Father Dominic and Max the dog. It reminded me of wonderful holidays on Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River (north of Sydney) - complete with its own merry ferry and golf carts!, beach shacks, mud flats and 'island time' where the clocks stand still in the dappled eucalyptus light.

Given to star1978(?) and Hotfrog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Happy Reading!

- With a cheerio to Skyring, on another US adventure. *waving across the Pacific*

I enjoyed reading this book - mainly for it's setting and the characters on the island.
Jessie comes across as being quite selfish in not appreciating what she has in life and in her disregard for her actions toward others (her mother, her husband and Brother Thomas).
But I enjoyed the unfolding of the plot and finding out what happened to Jessie's father. The characters were all believable and interesting, as was the setting.

Picked up at the Canberra Bookcrossing Christmas meet, held at the National Library of Australia, Parkes, ACT.

A plodding book, slow, introspective. I mostly liked the scenery. It showed how compulsive extreme religion can slip into madness.

The scenery was the best part of this book, the pluff mud, reeds, the wildlife...
So I released the book in the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Kingston, ACT in Ardea bird viewing box overlooking our wetlands and birds. The last time I released books here - three books - two were journalled. One of the books travelled to Western Australia and the other book to Iran. Let’s see where this book travels to.

This book is released:
In memory of Megi53’s mother
2012 Keep Them Moving Challenge
2012 Theme Releases
2012 The Ultimate Challenge

22/1/2012: I cycled that way today, and as expected I found the book is gone.


To the finder, enjoy, and I hope you will write a journal entry so that previous readers will know that this book has been found (even anonymously). It is always a joy to find where it has gone. Once you've read this book, pass it on to a friend, or set it out "in the wild" for someone else to find as you did.
You can remain anonymous but if you are interested in joining please consider using - Goldenwattle as your referrer.
When you pass this book along, please make a release note to let others know where you left it. Thank you.

Handed in to Lifeline Canberra Booksale Not sold but released at King O'Malleys in CIVIC. King O'Malleys are a sponsor of Lifeline the 24 hour crisis telephone service Telephone assistance can be obtained by ringing 131114 at any time