Book Information
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ISBN-13: 9780143036692 - ISBN-10: 0143036696 Publication Date: 3/7/2006 Pages: 352 |
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Book Reviews of The Mermaid Chair
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The Mermaid Chair Author: |
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139 Book Reviews submitted by our Members
sorted by voted most helpful
Catherine B. (
11 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was a huge disappointment to me. THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES was so wonderful and even magical in some ways. I found it very hard to care about Jessie the main character. She seems to have a great husband but she has decided that she isn’t happy anymore. She feels the she needs to get away from her husband and be on her own. Jessie begins having an affair with a monk, who had not yet taken his final vows. I just found this entire book a little bit disturbing.
The author's first novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES was wonderful and had a magical quality that has stayed in my mind for weeks. THE MERMAID CHAIR left me feeling empty.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was an excellent but melancholy love story about what a woman wants, the truth of life, and what she really has. I appreciate books that are real and that don't try to make everything picture perfect. I liked this book better than Sue monk Kidd's other novel, The Secret Life of Bees. It was difficult to put down!
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
An island. A romance. A rediscovering of what it means to be true to one's heart and truly alive.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a very interesting book. Interesting in the sense as to where it took me. I did not like the Protagonist, Jessie. I thought the idea of her going to the island to tend to her mother and falling immediately in love with “Brother Thomas” was sinful and hateful and so totally not real life. But then, with about 100 pages left in the book, I was enlightened and it made more sense. I won’t give away the ending but it was unexpected. I was totally down a different path in my mind so the ending was surprising. I am not sure I would agree with the ending. I think in real life the husband (Hugh) would have left her (Jessie). I honestly skimmed thru some of the mermaid, spiritual stuff. In some ways, it’s almost unnecessary. However, I guess it gave the book more color. The rating for this book improved after I finished it.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
A complete disappointment from Sue Monk Kidd. I found the story to be boring, laughable and ridiculously unbelievable.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Poignant book about woman dealing with self-evauluation.
Enjoyed the book.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. The characters are well developed, the love story is mature, and the atmosphere is breathtaking. I can't wait for Kidd's next novel!
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not good, not bad. Just kind of bland.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
does not compare to The Secret Life of Bees
Sue E. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
A vivid imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband and ultimately a woman and her own soul.
Robin F. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another great (fictional) read by Sue Monk Kidd! The story is told in the first person and Kidd's creative writing draws you in...I felt like I was Jesse (the woman the story is about). The message is about women finding and accepting themselves before they can love others :)
Lyn reviewed on 3/12/2009...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved The Secret Life of Bees and could not wait to read The Mermaid Chair but sadly it was a major disappointment. The writing was stale, predictable and the story just dragged. Unlike, The Secret Life of Bees, the characters in The Mermaid Chair never came alive to me. So if you are considering this book look for another.
Sheila M. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I finished it because I read it as part of a book club. The author did a great job creating a self-centered, shallow character (Jessie) for which I had absolutely no sympathy or empathy for. Couple that with some completely absurd and ridiculously bogus legends and plants and, well . . . you get the idea. I also believe the author had her head in the thesaurus too often with descriptions like “soup skim” to describe a foggy day.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was good then went down hill in the last few chapters. I liked hearing about the main character's mother, and about her extra marital relationship with a monk, but in the end, it really let me down. How ever it was an alright book, I'm glad I read it!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Beautiful narrative that speaks to all women who look for their place in the world of husbands and children.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It's a good beach read, very chick lit. Sometimes it just seems like it is trying to be other books. I didn't end up loving any of the characters.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Kind of a weird story, but I liked it. The story takes you to a different place, sort of an ethereal feeling book...I liked the concept (the whole monk thing). Something out of the ordinary.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked the character development from suburban housewife to coming into her own while taking care of her mother while living where she grew up - on an island. Her affair with the priest may be bothersome to some people but she grew to know herself - her strengths and weaknesses - and the book reflects her inner turmoil.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This story uses a lot of symbolism and underlying meaning to explain everything that happens in the book. The author would like you to buy into all of this underlying information, but I found it very hard to explain away the happenings in the book as having a deeper meaning. Take away all the symbolism, and what you have is a woman who has an affair just because she's become bored with her husband. Hard for me to feel in alliance with this way of thinking, and I was a little put off by the idea that I should accept this affair as "okay" just because there was all this mysticism and underlying reason for it. Normally when reading a book, I can go where the main character goes in her thinking, but not in this book.
Joyce C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had high hopes for this story but was disappointed. The Secret Life of Bees was a challenge for the writer to live up to. Skip this one
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
it was a little slow to get in to, but then I really liked it.
Good scenes of a South Carolina island and the ecosystem.
Rachelle S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed, The Mermaid Chair, however it did not leave a lasting impression as 'The Secret Life of Bees' did. In the 'The Secret Life of Bees' I felt as if I was part of the book- witnessing the events first hand. The event were based on historical issues and I was captivated. I had hoped for the same feelings of captivation with 'The Mermaid Chair' but was disappointed. In fact I am not sure that I would have finished 'The Mermaid Chair' if I had not enjoyed the author's previous works so much.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The book is about a woman who goes back to her childhood home to take care of her mother who has chopped off her finger with a knife. The woman is married with a daughter who is in college. Jessie, the married woman, meets a monk, Brother Thomas, while visiting her mother and falls in love with him. Her husband Hugh comes to visit her and learns of the affair. At this point, I had a hard time reading this book because I don't like reading about married people having affairs and cheating on their spouses. Anyway, the book also contains a secret about Jessie's past, in which she blames herself for her father's death. He died when she was a little girl. Aside from the affair, the book is really good.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Along with the Secret Life of Bees, I loved this too.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really enjoyed this one...stayed up all night to see how it ended...kept me guessing til the end. As a 40-something married woman, this is a must read.
Cynthia (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not bad. I had to read this because I was picked to host a book club meeting. I didn't like it at first and had I not been forced to read the whole thing, I wouldn't have kept going and that would have been my loss.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"The Mermaid Chair" is by the same author who wrote "The Secret Life of Bees". I was really excited when I picked up "The Mermaid Chair" because I liked "The Secret Life of Bees" so much. However, I was really disappointed.
While "The Secret Life of Bees" really appealed to me, I just could not get into the story of "The Mermaid Chair". Perhaps because I absolutely could not identify in any way with the main character. Jessie is a middle-aged woman who is unsatisfied with her life. But she's not willing to take any responsibility for her actions, nor is she willing to try to work things out. She is a blamer.
Anyway, enough complaining about the book. I don't recommend it, and I definitely don't recommend that you try the audio book version either. The reader is not so great.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Boring and predictable - not to mention I disagree with the morality of the book too.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was not as good as The Secret Life of Bees. I liked the setting, but that's about it. I struggled to get through it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This one was a good one - couldn't put it down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
As good as "The Secret Life of Bees". Island oriented people should enjoy this book. A good story that pulls you into the lives of the characters.
Jessica T. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Stinker! Secret Life of Bees was FABULOUS, this was a massive dud. I heard that the author is a Chrisitan, but somewhere along the lines decided to look for something else, her "inner goddess". She may have found that, but it took away her writing ability.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very interesting and well-written.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not as good as Secret Life of Bees but enjoyable still.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is terrible. It is so slow and doesn't even pick up until about 125 pages into it. Even then, it is not worth reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is terrible. It is so slow and doesn't even pick up until about 125 pages into it. Even then, it is not worth reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A fabulous summer beach read! I couldn't put it down. Characters so alive they practically leap from the pages. This book will touch your soul.
Marcy M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I could not get into this book to save my life. I skimmed it but just couldn't make myself read it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul, The Mermaid Chair is the transcendent tale of Jessie Sullivan's self-discovery.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
While this story isn't as good as her previous, Secret Life of Bees, she is a solid storyteller and an author I'll continue reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a very honest, gripping, story. It was hard to put down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was disappointed in this book after all the hullaballoo. It reminded me of "The Bridges of Madison County" (which I also hated) except in a different setting (South Carolina). (The descriptions of the locale are good and ring true. Otherwise, Stereotypical, cliched, cardboard characters and an oh so predictable outcome.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A friend and I like this book almost as much as The Secret Life of Bees. This book really resonated with us. I give it 4 1/2 stars.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really enjoyed both of her books I have read - this and "The Secret Life of Bees" - probably the latter somewhat more. The images of surroundings were my favorite part - this book left me with an intense desire to visit the barrier islands of South Carolina.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
story of a woman coming home and coming of age while she cares for her Mother
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Decent story, just not as wonderful as Ms. Kidd's first book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a midlife kinda book of self dicovery and healing.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
not as good as The secret Life of Bees, but it was well written and I enjoyed it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was a fast read. Although the plot was rather original, I was more entranced by the "Secret Life of Bees" which remains one of my favorite books.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Interesting and a quick read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Mystical & Magical - a beautiful read.
Many say not as good as 'Bees' but its like comparing apples to oranges.
A great book!!!
*Signed by Sue Monk Kidd.*
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I suppose I was expecting another "Secret Life of Bees". This one wasn't as good to me but it was still a very interesting book. A midlife crisis for one woman brings to life an old secret that shaped her life without her knowing it. Mysterious and thought provoking.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul. Good, made me think about where I am as wife, mother and person.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love Sue Monk Kidd. This book was not as good as "The Secret Life of Bees," but it is a good read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this very disappointing after the author's strong and moving first novel, but it was a best seller, so go figure.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this very disappointing after the author's strong and moving first novel, but it was a best seller, so go figure.
Kidd can really draw you into her story. This one was intriguing, and I couldn't decide how I wanted it to end! I wasn't sure I wanted to finish it and find out what happened, but of course I did. Very good book!
From the author of The Secret Life of Bees". Another tale set in the south ... you will enjoy it!
Definitely enjoyed this book although The Secret Life of Bees was better in my opinion. I found some aspects of the story a little hard to reconcile as far as the characters' choices but that's part of reading books, right? Appreciating other peoples' perspectives.
very good book, I had trouble putting it down, and was pleased with the ending
This is a story of a woman's self discovery with of course a really deep entwined character plot. Another "beach" read. I very much enjoyed it.
I could not put this book down. The story is set in Egret Island, and it is kind of mysterious. A love story about a woman and a monk.
THis book is well written, has interesting characters but its plot tends more toward the fantasy genre than my taste.
Megan T. (A good read, however, I enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees more.
quirky, but a good quick read. kidd is an author who knows how to let you into her characters.
Maureen C. (So many people compare this book to Sue Monk Kidd's first novel The Secret Life of Bees. Do yourself a favor and do not compare the two. They are entirely different stories. I loved The Mermaid Chair. I also loved The SL of Bees. Just read it and enjoy! Sue Monk Kidd has a phenomenal talent for storytelling.
Fun and fast read. Good book to get out of your own life for awhile.
I found the ending just a bit too neat, but even if I didn't love it as much as Secret Life of Bees, it kept me up until about 3 am because I couldn't stop reading.
I actually liked this book much better than her first. It is a journey of self discovery that more women should venture out on (though not necessarily by being unfaithful to their husbands). A good read.
A love story about a monk, a woman and her husband.
Judy H. (Story about a woman's mid-life crisis. Lovely and romantic setting on a South Carolina barrier island.
If you liked Kidd's Secret Life of Bees (teenage coming of age novel), you will love Kidd's The Mer4maid Chair (middle age women's coming of age novel). It is a love story involving a monk, a woman, her husband, and herself. Loved it!
love story between a woman and a monk and the lessons to be learned in life
Light and quick read with some thought-provoking ideas.
As usual, Kidd has a knack for telling a story. You'll like this one if you liked her other ones.
Enjoyable read not as good as her first novel but I would recommend it.
Hard to put down! A great read about a woman finding herself by returning home!
I was entertained but the plot was a bit predictable. Not a very deep book but a light fun read.
I did not enjoy this book. I was disappointed but really liked "The Secret Life of Bees".
Lynne W. (When Jessie's mother appears to have a mental breakdown, it shakes Jessie out of the mundane life of wife and mother she has both created for herself and trapped herself within. Returning to her childhood home she confronts her estranged mother, the ghost of her revered late father, and (with the help of a monk) journeys to the center of her soul to discover herself.
Back cover: "A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul."
To me, this was a profound glimpse into the psychology of a lonely, pained soul.
Karen S. (Jessie Sullivan returns to Egret Island,off the coast of South Carolina, to care for her mother and finds herself attracted to a young monk at a Benedictine Monastery where "resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion."
I feel as though someone took a part of my life and wrote a beautiful book about it. I knew the ending because I had lived it.. very well written.
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband =, and ultimately a woman and her own soul, THE MERMAID CHAIR is the transcendent tale of Jessie Sullivan's self-discovery. The #1 New York Times Bestseller, currently being made into a movie, by the author of THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES
great read - very interesting with layers of symbolism, but very quirky and humourous too.
Reading this book was like swimming in poetry. The writing is so beautiful and the imagery so glorious, that I was very moved. The story itself was pertinent to me as we are of an age. The 80s tv references were fun too.
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband and ultimately a woman and her own soul, The Mermaid Chair is the transcendent tale of Jessie Sullivans self discovery
Linda M. (Excellent book! Equally as good as the Secret Life of Bees.
Sue Kidd REALLY IS a fabulous storyteller and writes beautifully. Any woman in her forties and up should relate to this book.Even though I loved, it has a reality ending that left me down.
Writing is flawless, as was her original book. This one's been made into a movie for TV (didn't see it.) I felt the plot fell short, but after her "Bees" book, it was tough to follow up with something fantastic. Covers Jesse's midlife crisis, an affair with a monk,and both her and her mother coming to terms with her father's years ago death.
Krista m M. (I really liked the Secret Life of Bees much better. This story was kind of flat, the only interesting part was the mermaid chair itself and the lore behind it. I had a hard time empathizing with the main character.
Enjoyed it. Vivid images, strong characters, good story.
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul. Winner of the 2005 Quill Book Award for general fiction.
Absolutely loved this book. If you liked Secret Life of Bees, you won't be disappointed with this one.
Good read, but not as good as The Secret Life of Bees. That is just my opinion.
Reagan H. (I really enjoyed it although disagree with the characters actions to "solve" her inner problems.
Really good book!! I was able to identify with the main character on MANY levels, and by the end of the book I had a new respect for some personal relationships I've had.
Joan L. (THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT BOOK. I LIKED IT BETTER THAN THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. SAYS SO MUCH ABOUT LOVE AND LOVING. AN AMAZING BOOK. THE AUTHOR HAS AN INCREDIBLE IMAGINATION AND IS A STORYTELLER IN THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD
A coming of age novel about a women in her 40s. author also wrote "the Secret Life of Bees"
This is a good book. A little quirky but a great read.
Another good read from Ms. Kidd. Although not quite comparable to "The Secret Life of Bees", this work is similar in its quirky and lovable characters, and delves deeply into the agony and glory of self discovery. Highly recommend!
A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul, The Mermaid Chair is the transcendent tale of Jesse Sullivan's self discovery.
I just couldn't get into this book. I read a few chapters and never had any connection with the characters. Like some of the other reviewers, I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as The Secret Life of Bees. I was so disapointed that I never finished reading it.
Neat story, but not my typical style or genre of book, so it was a bit slow for me.
Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees, tells the love story of a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul.
One critic's review said, "Kidd has a flair for making us see her characters with great vividness and immediacy." I wholeheartedly agree!
Great book!
Great love story, in the vein of Bridges of Madison County.
This is Ms. Kidd's second novel and it won the 2005 Quill Award for Best General Fiction and was the #1 New York Times Bestseller. Great characters.
Very different from this author's first effort--I appreciated the fact that it wasn't just a "sequel" but an entirely new story.
Great reading!
Another "I have it all but I'm miserable" tales. Cliched and predictable.
Hot southern afternoon .....bonds between mothers and daughters and husbands and wives...profound, sensual story
Another fine novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Jessie Sullivan is more or less forced home to attend to her mother, who may have been going crazy. Back at home on her South Carolina island, she confronts her marriage, her loss of self, her past, and her art. When her understanding of her father's death crumbles, and with it her mother's grip on sanity, Jessie puts her own life back together.
I can't possibly do the book justice. It's definitely another "must-read" by Kidd.
I am sure I will be in a very small minority, but I found this story to be a complete waste of both my time and my money.
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