The Mermaids Singing

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Summary: What a great story!
Review: I bought this book simply because the cover caught my eye, and I am glad I bought it! I found this novel beautiful, funny, and a definite page turner. I was so caught up in the suspense of where her father was I didn't want to quit reading. Just a great book. Can't wait for more from Lisa Carey!

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful, lyrical novel
Review: I found THE MERMAIDS SINGING wonderful and enchanting - Carey manages to blend realism and true emotions with myth, displaying a talent rare in first authors. I found myself wanting to rush to find out what would happen next, but slowing down for the sensuous rhythms of the book. Not sure what troubled people so much about Grace - why does every character in a book have to be pure good - I thought she was a fascinating woman with real depth, not perfect by any means, but strong and willful and interesting - just look at the reponses she's elicited. I can't wait for more from Lisa Carey!

Rating:
Summary: Annoying and dull
Review: What a dissapoinment! I purchased this book because of the comparison to Cold Mountain on the back cover. The fact that both books are first novels for their respective authors is the only thing I can find to compare between the two novels. The prose is elementary when compared to that of Charles Frazier, completely lacking in the imagery I expected. I agree with other reviewers in their opinion of Grace, but would take it one step further. None of these women seem to know what love between mother and daughter is all about, much less how to express it to each other. The only character I found worthy of my time was Seamus, whom I didn't get to meet until the last 3 chapters or so. The sexual innuendo was trite and unneccessary, an overall detraction from the story, which I found to be very predictable. I finished the book because the reviews were so glowing; I kept hoping it would get better. Alas, it was not to be.

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Summary: I love this book and look forward to more from this author
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I am of Irish descent,and was drawn to that aspect of the book. I didn't like Grace, though. I don't understand the depth of her anger with her mother. She seemed to hate her mother for keeping things from her, but then did the same to her own daughter.

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Summary: Enchanting! I couldn't put it down-a quick read! Different
Review: Our book club is reading this book and I know it will prompt a rich discussion. The female characters are real and mutidimensional. A mother who holds back her love from her baby and is the only parent has to deal with that mistake forever as one clearly sees in this story. The chapters written about each woman back and forth through time was very interesting and I found myself putting the puzzle together which in itself was capitvatingly mysterious. We all have tales of our mother and their mothers and their important roles in each generations life. This will be our major area of discussion. Loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: Overall, I found the book more entertaining that I thought I would. But I couldn't get over the feeling that the writing seems rushed at times, as if she was trying to finish the book up in a hurry - I probably counted at least 5 references to "swollen lips" in the last few chapters alone. Come to think of it, if it wasn't for all the references to young, careless sexuality, the book probably wouldn't have been as interesting. Which is precisely the problem. And all the references to mermaid tales left me yawning. It kind of read like a soap opera overall.

Rating:
Summary: Touching and illuminating
Review: A truly moving book

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Summary: Ungrateful Grace
Review: The character Grace ruined this book. She seemed mentally ill to me. She was so unbelievably selfish, self-centered, unappreciative. What did her mother do to deserve such treatment?

Rating:
Summary: Captivating, mesmerizing, beautifully written.
Review: Thoughtful, poetic. Carey leaves you wanting more...

Rating:
Summary: Truly poetically engrossing!
Review: The Mermaids Singing is a truly realistic fairy tale. From Grainne's first love with the son of her mother's employers, to her later relationship with an island son in Ireland, Grainne never gives up, keeps on trying and loving and hanging on though her dearly beloved mother has succumbed to breast cancer and she now has to leave the States to live with a grandmother she never knew she had. Grainne feels disoriented, and this becomes more intense when she realizes that she also has a father on the island of Inis Muruch who has run away so that he doesn't have to face her. It is amazing that The Mermaids Singing is a first novel. Author Carey writes with an assurance that many other novelists can only dream of. I felt transported to the small island off the coast of Ireland, and I have already booked reservations to visit that part of the world. How can I not after a literary banquet such as the one that I have just experienced?