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21st out of 53 books
—
35 voters
A Mermaid's Tale: A Personal Search for Love and Lore
by
Amanda Adams
Elusive, seductive, otherworldly, the mermaid is one of the most resonant of female archetypes, persisting across cultures and eras. In this singular study, Amanda Adams uses poetic language and invokes a wide range of representations and disciplines — from literature, poetry, and mythology to anthropology and folklore — to reclaim this icon of female power for modern read...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
August 31st 2006
by Greystone Books
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pretty book, nice illustrations but kind of...dumb, really. Pretentious and silly...it's just about one girl's obsession with mermaids and how that supposedly reflects on her life adventures, which seem a little made up and romanticized---her experiences as a nouveau hippie/ boho girl didn't really ring true to me, but then--I new a billion girls like that in Berkeley, and this girl was from norcal and graduated from Cal--in fact, it could even be that one horrid girl who graduated anthro with c...more
Feb 24, 2009
Alexandra Relias
added it
An interesting non-fiction book regarding myths of mermaids in various cultures throughout history.
I loved this memoir/exploration of mermaid stories from around the world and the relationship between the author and mermaids. The prose was written in an engaging, creative, talented way that I found both penetrating and evocative. I particularly like the chapters on Melusina, the selkie and the author's friend Mitten and Yemaya. Having had profound experiences with Yemaya and her priests, I found that chapter an absolute delight.
I'm still thinking about this book, even though I finished it mo...more
I'm still thinking about this book, even though I finished it mo...more
Adams reminded me of the days of diving to the depths of the bath tub rescuing treasure and escaping the clutches of the occasional passing pirate. As a little girl, I wanted to be a mermaid, not a princess. I still love the mystery and enchantment that has fueled the fascination of mermaids throughout history. Even as a grown women identify with the mischievous aquatic temptress. The mermaid is strong, independent, fierce all the while embracing her charm, beauty and alluring qualities. Adams e...more
Meh.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. Even while reading it, I wanted to like it so much that at times, I truly DID like it. After all, this is a book about a girl who apparently is my age, and grew up pretending to be a mermaid in her bathtub (like I did), was affected by Tori Amos' songs at an early age (like I was), and ends the book planning a wedding (like I am). But...
This book suffers from disjointed disease. From the outset, Amanda Adams claims that the book's purpose is to recou...more
I wanted to like this book. I really did. Even while reading it, I wanted to like it so much that at times, I truly DID like it. After all, this is a book about a girl who apparently is my age, and grew up pretending to be a mermaid in her bathtub (like I did), was affected by Tori Amos' songs at an early age (like I was), and ends the book planning a wedding (like I am). But...
This book suffers from disjointed disease. From the outset, Amanda Adams claims that the book's purpose is to recou...more
Not what I was expecting. Less about mermaid lore than what the mermaid (in all her varieties) represents in the human psyche. Most of what I got from this one was a vague introduction to a few mermaid tales from the Artic that I was not familiar with. Now I just gotta go look them up.
Beautifully written, but I had a hard time identifying with the author's obsession with mermaids. I was also frustrated by the captions to some of the illustrations--they teased me into curiosity to read more, but quite often the subject was never mentioned within the text.
I liked the writing style and found the book both informative of mermaids and other fantastical sea creatures (like selkies) and a fun biography on the roles of mermaids and the ocean on a young woman's life.
Really enjoyed this book especially since I love reading about myths and legends. It was a thoughtful read and flowed beautifully
I really enjoyed the artwork and how the author weaved together folk lore with her own personal love of mermaids.
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I did enjoy reading the myths and meanings of the mermaid.
Beautifully illustrated, they were enchanting to look at. The actual text of the book was boring. It felt as if I was reading a annoying journal entry.
I really liked this book and I didn't think it too smarmy at all
This book was so sweet I really enjoyed it.
Nov 21, 2007
Avril
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who don't know much about mermaid lore
Shelves:
folklore
I began reading this book hoping to learn more about mermaids, selkies and other creatures of that ilk. There wasn't a lot of in depth research here.
This book is less about folkore. It's more about a woman's obsession with mermaids (with a little bit of memoir added to the mix).
This book is amusing and light. Sometimes amusing and light is just the ticket. I unfortunately read this for substance and didn't find much.
This book is less about folkore. It's more about a woman's obsession with mermaids (with a little bit of memoir added to the mix).
This book is amusing and light. Sometimes amusing and light is just the ticket. I unfortunately read this for substance and didn't find much.
An interesting review of the basic myths involving different types of mermaids woven together with the authors lifelong love for the creatures.
After, I read the first two chapters, I had to know what happened. It just drew me in.
For mermaid lovers of all ages - compelling mix of lore & memoir. Couldn't put it down.
May 14, 2013
Lucinda
marked it as to-read
May 12, 2013
Manda Kate
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Kimberly Tsan
marked it as to-read
Apr 16, 2013
Igraine
marked it as auf-gar-keinen-fall
Apr 06, 2013
Michelle
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2013
Purrsikat
marked it as to-read
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Feb 25, 2009 11:30am