Mermaids

by Sophia Kingshill

Mermaids are blessed with one tail or two, as happy in freshwater as salt, and share an ancestry that stretches from the classical past to the present – a line of descent which predates Homer’s sirens and will outlive those bloodthirsty nymphs in the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The mermaid expresses our reliance on the sea as a source of food and trade, and speaks about the fear and fascination we have for those unknown depths below the water’s surface. A woman to the waist and fish below, this otherworldly creature has inspired numerous artists and spawned countless tales, from Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid to the West African Mami Wata legend. She has been found in Assyrian reliefs, illuminated in Medieval bestiaries, painted onto pub signs and Pre-Raphaelite canvas, inked into skin at tattoo parlours, sketched by Picasso with a Communist hammer and sickle in her hand, cast in Hollywood movies, and graffitied onto city walls. Variously portrayed as sea goddess, victim and vamp, she has been reclaimed in the twenty-first century as a symbol of womanhood and resistance.

Sophia Kingshill has written here the history of a unique family tree, travelling back 3,000 years to discover the enduring myths and the vibrant folklore that continue to enchant us and ensure the mermaid’s survival.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2015

Reviews

[martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I’d read in like 3 (?) months, and it was a good reintroduction to non fiction reading for fun. The topic at hand was interesting to me, the development of mermaid legends and folklore but especially the commitment of a writer to their chosen interests.
I loved how Kingshill wove together a timeline beginning in Madrid 2013 and ending up back at The Odyssey, a time when most stories tend to begin. The inclusion of art and imagery throughout supported what could’ve become dense and made for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
Overall, I gained a lot from it and would recommend.

[World Literature Today]

"As a folkloric figure, the mermaid continues to hold a powerful sway, though we are often at a loss to explain why. Sophia Kingshill explains that “it’s always a risk to meet a mermaid.” Beginning with an intriguing and recent mermaid depiction in Madrid, Kinghill explores the background and many incarnations of the mermaid myth around the world, accompanied with gorgeous photos of paintings, sculptures, and engravings." - Erin Elise

This book was reviewed in the November/December 2016 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website:

http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the history of mermaids in literature, art, and legend. Well researched. Several of the sections overlapped too much, however, and the organization of the book didn't always work well.

[Emma Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to see that this book had been reissued. It covers in detail the myths, folktales, folklore and legends about mermaids, with many illustrations, from the Odyssey to present day incarnations, including Hans Christian Andersen's literary version compared with Disney's animation. Physical form changes over time, sirens are merged with mermaids for a while, one even appears in a church carving. Belief has ebbed and flowed, affected by religion and supernatural views, and the selkie may still be reported in Scotland in the present day. Fake mermaids were a favourite exhibit in sideshows, and may still be found in some museums.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book. Sophia leads us back through time to the true origins of the mermaids we know and love today and it's a fascinating ride through fables and art. Be a great little gift for any mermaid obsessed teenager in your family.

[Kelly Hides · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the history of Mermaid mythology.

[Alex Clement · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating history about the lore of mermaids 🧜‍♀️

[Mills College Library]

398.2 K552 2015