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Coralie is the daughter of a former magician who now runs the museum of extraordinary things on Coney Island. Coralie was born with webbed hands and her father has trained her to be able to swim long distances and hold her breath for long periods of time so she can be the mermaid in his museum. Eddie is a photographer whose life soon intersects Coralie's. The book has a lot of wonderful descriptive language. Unfortunately there are a lot of long, boring stretches where not much happens.
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Ooh this was a good one! Moody atmosphere and set in 1900s NYC, it was a fascinating look at how workers, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, women, children, and other vulnerable populations were treated during this time period. I definitely want to read more by this author! It veered slightly towards the unrealistic and unlikely, but the writing was indeed beautiful. It was a bit creepy and disturbing, and I had some nightmares the night I finally finished it!
Jun 29, 2014
Soelo
marked it as to-read
Aug 25, 2014
Anna
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Nov 03, 2014
Kat (A Journey In Reading)
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Nov 03, 2014
SandyC
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Dec 04, 2014
grace
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Apr 14, 2015
Jen
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Aug 05, 2015
Diane
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Aug 09, 2015
Amy
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Nov 13, 2015
Tracyene
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Apr 04, 2017
Terri
marked it as own
Dec 05, 2017
Jules
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Apr 29, 2018
Kathy Jo
marked it as to-read
Jan 02, 2019
Megan
is currently reading it
Dec 28, 2021
Tammy Grimm
marked it as to-read
Apr 19, 2023
Jessica
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Mar 26, 2025
Dana Arbelaez
marked it as to-read
