A transcendent tale of a woman’s self-discovery—the New York Times–bestselling second work of fiction by the author of The Secret Life of Bees and the forthcoming novel The Book of Longings Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend … mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion.
When Jessie Sullivan is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother’s seemingly inexplicable behavior, she is living a conventional life with her husband, Hugh, a life “molded to the smallest space possible.” Jessie loves Hugh, but once on the island, she finds herself drawn to Brother Thomas, a monk about to take his final vows. Amid a rich community of unforgettable island women and the exotic beauty of marshlands, tidal creeks, and majestic egrets, Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, with a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right, and with the immutable force of home and marriage.
Is the power of the mermaid chair only a myth? Or will it alter the course of Jessie’s life? What happens will unlock the roots of her mother’s tormented past, but most of all, it will allow Jessie to discover selfhood and a place of belonging as she explores the thin line between the spiritual and the erotic.
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easy read not her best
I really don’t remember much about it, so I’m rating it average.
I really didn’t care for this book.
Did not enjoy this book in fact I did not finish it
This unpredictable page turner is typical of Sue Monk kIdd and it is just off beat enough to fascinate me and get me thinking. It examines the relationship between men and women and the role our past lives play in the marriages we make. the reasons why we stay with our mates, leave them at times, reunite, and turn to others at times are all examined through the roles the heroine plays.
Excellent read!
Fascinating story line
Excellent writing & story telling. Great ending!
Deep and thought provoking
Beautiful. That is once word that I feel describes this book perfectly.
It did not hold my interest, started flipping ahead, main character not very “likable”, predictable ending.
Part mystery part romance and very well written
Not as good as Kid’s other books. But good.
Romantic concept lost in translation
I really liked this book
Great combination of reality and magic
Meh. Not my favorite by Ms. Kidd.
Unusual story about society that this Mermaid’s chair was meaningful. Good story
I enjoyed this book. It was sad, funny, loving. All the characters were interesting and made you think about life and death. The island was whimsical and informative. Of course the chair had a special meaning. Enjoy!!!
Entertaining read that left me with haunting questions regarding what we are meant to do with our lives.
Enjoyed this book immensely. Great author.