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<book id="825459">
  <id>825459</id>
  <title><![CDATA[Mermaid Chair]]></title>
  <isbn><![CDATA[0755307623]]></isbn>
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  <original_publication_year type="integer">2005</original_publication_year>
  <original_title>The Mermaid Chair</original_title>
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  <average_rating><![CDATA[2.88]]></average_rating>
  <ratings_count><![CDATA[3]]></ratings_count>
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  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/825459.Mermaid_Chair]]></url>
  <authors>
          <author id="4711">
        <name><![CDATA[Sue Monk Kidd]]></name>
        <role><![CDATA[]]></role>
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        <average_rating><![CDATA[3.74]]></average_rating>
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      <review id="29444715">
    <user id="266983">
    <name><![CDATA[Philip]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Chicago, IL]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/266983-philip]]></url>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
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    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>30</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Oprah]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[Someone left it in my laundry room, and now I know why.]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Aug 11 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Aug 06 14:13:47 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Aug 11 11:04:38 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Okay, we've got a couple problems here.  Let's go in order:<br/>1.  The problem of the protagonist<br/>2.  The problem of the know-it-all know-nothing<br/>3.  The problem of the genre.<br/><br/>Number one, the protagonist of this book is a woman with ZERO PROBLEMS. There's no identifiable obsta...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29444715">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29444715]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="1507888">
    <user id="103544">
    <name><![CDATA[Sammy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/103544-sammy]]></url>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
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    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>11</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue May 29 02:07:44 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Dec 16 20:17:01 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I bought this book when I went with my mother to go hear Sue Monk Kidd speak. Let me tell you, she speaks as eloquently as she writes. She's also just as witty. After hearing her speak, I realized that a lot of her personality comes through in her writing. Her amazing writing.<br/><br/>She spoke o...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1507888">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1507888]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="23213399">
    <user id="546634">
    <name><![CDATA[Ashley]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Indian Trail, NC]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/546634-ashley]]></url>
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    <book>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>11</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu May 29 07:55:28 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jul 03 14:22:09 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Read this book as it was a selection for my book club.  <br/><br/>Although I thoroughly enjoyed &quot;The Secret Life Of Bees&quot; by the same writer, I found this book to be a far different sort of read.  In Bees, while I enjoyed the plot, it was the characters that I found myself hooked to.  In...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23213399">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23213399]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="3723570">
    <user id="51254">
    <name><![CDATA[Carol]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Delaware, OH]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/51254-carol]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1175867381p3/51254.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">525998</id>
  <isbn>0670033944</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780670033942</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">368</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">98</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175541931m/525998.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/525998.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>9</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[people who believe in love at first sight]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Jul 28 19:05:01 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Sep 01 12:37:42 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Very disappointed in this book since I loved &quot;The Secret Life of Bees&quot;.  The best thing I can say about it is that it is highly readable...an easy summer read.  I believe in lust at first site, a spark that makes you want to get to know someone, etc.  No matter how hard I tried, I could no...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3723570">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3723570]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="29446227">
    <user id="372363">
    <name><![CDATA[Books Ring My Bell]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/372363-books-ring-my-bell]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1261414006p3/372363.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>6</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>true</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Aug 06 14:26:39 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Aug 06 14:32:41 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[NO.<br/>NO!<br/><br/>Give me a break.  There is NOT love at first sight. LUST.<br/>Not love!  Whatever. That just pisses me off and sets a pissy tone for the rest of the book.<br/><br/>Bored woman goes to take care of crazy mom on island that is full of monks.  Woman sees monk says &quot;oh, I...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29446227">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29446227]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="31385475">
    <user id="667059">
    <name><![CDATA[Kirk]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/667059-kirk]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1261414834p3/667059.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>8</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Aug 27 18:50:14 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Aug 27 18:51:01 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book is so corny it will pass straight through you, undigested.]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31385475]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="27000936">
    <user id="1296189">
    <name><![CDATA[Spudsie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Hilliard, OH]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1296189-spudsie]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1215572268p3/1296189.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">525998</id>
  <isbn>0670033944</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780670033942</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">368</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">98</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175541931m/525998.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/525998.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>6</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[2008 SRL]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Jul 13 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jul 11 18:17:44 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Jul 13 17:52:43 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I did not like this book.  <br/><br/>That’s not entirely accurate.  I loved the religious themes that ran through this book, I loved the stories of growing up on an island, I loved the Mermaid aspect of this story.<br/><br/>So why the rating of “did not like?”  I’m really tired of storie...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27000936">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27000936]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="514066">
    <user id="45306">
    <name><![CDATA[Wormie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Hollywood, FL]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/45306-wormie]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">6977</id>
  <isbn>073945966X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780739459669</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">16</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">4</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6977.The_Mermaid_Chair</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>4</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[nobody]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Mar 31 17:36:48 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Mar 31 17:37:40 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Dear Sue,<br/><br/>What were you thinking? I don’t want to be mean, but “The Mermaid Chair” isn’t your best work. Your first novel, “The Secret Life of Bees” was wonderful – full of imagery and emotion. I was expecting more of your magic, but “The Mermaid Chair” is just another n...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/514066">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/514066]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="3010515">
    <user id="122928">
    <name><![CDATA[Ti]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Burbank, CA]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/122928-ti]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1248736540p3/122928.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">825457</id>
  <isbn>0755327004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780755327003</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">46</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">14</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178722021m/825457.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/825457.The_Mermaid_Chair</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>4</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jul 12 20:07:12 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jul 23 08:30:56 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Jesse goes back home, to visit with her mother who is apparently cutting off her fingers in a rash display of abnormal behavior. While on the island, she comes across a monk that she eventually falls in love with. The problem is that Nell is married and has a grown daughter. The story goes back and ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3010515">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3010515]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="15011593">
    <user id="214838">
    <name><![CDATA[Carol]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Oberlin, OH]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/214838-carol]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1235071225p3/214838.jpg]]></image>
  </user>
    <book>
  <id type="integer">6976</id>
  <isbn>0143036696</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780143036692</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">19569</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>5</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>true</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Feb 21 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Feb 09 17:09:52 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Feb 23 15:11:30 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Oh gees.  Where do I begin?<br/>It wasn't the worst, but for pete's sake, was the affair w/the monk necessary?  Can anyone tell me that?   I also didn't really dig many of the characters, and here was another middle-aged woman who seemingly has it all and instead of digging deep and realizing that ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15011593">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15011593]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="30157429">
    <user id="1338132">
    <name><![CDATA[Lindsey]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1338132-lindsey]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1216349135p3/1338132.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
  <isbn>0143036696</isbn>
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  <ratings_count type="integer">19569</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>4</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Aug 18 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Aug 14 13:04:15 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Aug 18 20:45:32 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This probably isn't the best time to write a review of this book since I just finished it a few hours ago and am still quite upset by it.  The reason I began the book was because of the name, first of all, and also the story takes place on an island right off the coast of South Carolina.  I grew up ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30157429">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30157429]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="14346695">
    <user id="860709">
    <name><![CDATA[Shelly]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Montclair, CA]]></location>        
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
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    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>5</votes>
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  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Feb 02 01:27:22 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Feb 15 01:47:20 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Not nearly as inspirational or moving as author's first novel, Secret Life of Bees. Although VERY well written the subject matter was not pleasing and almost distasteful. I liked the monks side of the story and can more readily understand why he did what he did. In his case he was questioning his fa...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14346695">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14346695]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="11466166">
    <user id="54076">
    <name><![CDATA[Cynthia]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Durham, NC]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/54076-cynthia]]></url>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
  <isbn>0143036696</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780143036692</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">19569</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
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    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>7</votes>
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  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jan 02 12:59:39 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jan 02 13:00:02 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I loved this book, but reading most of the reviews, it seems like most people hated this book. I do think &quot;The Secret Life of Bees&quot; was better--I enjoyed the characters and storyline in Bees more so than &quot;The Mermaid Chair.&quot; <br/><br/>The main character of Jessie drove me crazy...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11466166">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11466166]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="1228312">
    <user id="85820">
    <name><![CDATA[Emily]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Englewood, CO]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/85820-emily-jerez]]></url>
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  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>4</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Tue May 15 12:02:25 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue May 15 12:23:01 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[terrible romanticizing of a woman who takes her life for granted.<br/><br/>i don't find impossible romances romantic at ALL.<br/><br/>to me, the main character seemed spoiled, selfish and ungrateful - to the author, she was a woman amidst her mid-life crisis trying to find herself.<br/><br/>ve...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1228312">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1228312]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="13115251">
    <user id="604814">
    <name><![CDATA[patricia]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Windsor, NJ]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/604814-patricia]]></url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">525998</id>
  <isbn>0670033944</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780670033942</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">368</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">98</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175541931m/525998.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/525998.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>3</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[no one]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Jan 21 19:24:22 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 21 19:27:08 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[that sue monk kid might be a one hit wonder..just joking but secrt lives of bees was an all time fav for me and i was extremely disappointed in this book. did not connect with character at all. save your money buy the second book from the author of the kite runner...he proved himself with his second...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13115251">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13115251]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="38643934">
    <user id="1750442">
    <name><![CDATA[Carrie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Gilbert, AZ]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1750442-carrie]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1227645835p3/1750442.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>3</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Nov 25 14:00:40 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Nov 25 14:05:48 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[terrible.  Middle-life crisis dribble.  It was like gargling salt water.  ]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/38643934]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="11438405">
    <user id="684539">
    <name><![CDATA[Laurie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Broomfield, CO]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/684539-laurie]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1235941962p3/684539.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <isbn13>9780143036692</isbn13>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>true</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jan 02 07:31:08 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 21 18:20:53 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Jessie, the main character in the book, is having her mid-life crisis.  In a big way.  The book is written mostly from her point of view and begins with a statement (and I am paraphrasing b/c I don't have the book in front of me) that when she was above all else the mother to Dee and wife to Hugh, s...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11438405">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11438405]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="9430696">
    <user id="522647">
    <name><![CDATA[Kathy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Tempe, AZ]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/522647-kathy]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1220913094p3/522647.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <isbn13>9780143036692</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">19569</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2759</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>3</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Nov 22 10:32:07 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Nov 22 10:33:09 -0800 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[From a blog post I wrote in 2005:<br/><br/>If you've read The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd's first novel, you probably have high expectations for her latest work, The Mermaid Chair. Bees was beautifully written and made you care about the characters so much that you were sorry to have to lea...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9430696">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9430696]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="717110">
    <user id="51485">
    <name><![CDATA[William]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Brentwood, TN]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/51485-william]]></url>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165605360m/6976.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Chick-lit fans]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Apr 14 06:28:34 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Apr 14 14:40:43 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I really wanted to like this book and after being pleasantly surprised (and touched) by &quot;The Secret Life of Bees&quot; I was pretty eager to read it. Having said that, I didn't dislike it. I guess disappointed is the word. I was disappointed in the characters, the themes, the motivations and th...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/717110">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/717110]]></url>
</review>
      <review id="17796259">
    <user id="994755">
    <name><![CDATA[Kathy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/994755-kathy]]></url>
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  <id type="integer">6976</id>
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  <title>The Mermaid Chair: A Novel</title>
  <average_rating>2.88</average_rating>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6976.The_Mermaid_Chair_A_Novel</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Mar 15 07:32:51 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Mar 15 07:38:32 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The main character in this book just seemed like a whiner to me.  Boo hoo, my husband won't &quot;let&quot; me be myself.  Ummm, let's see, is it his job to &quot;let&quot; you be yourself, or was that your job all your life while he was supporting the family so you could putz around decorating your...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/17796259">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/17796259]]></url>
</review>
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