A Mermaid's Tale: A Personal Search for Love and Lore

*Starred Review* Like so many little girls, Adams was captivated by mermaids, but unlike most, her interest in and identification with mermaids grew and deepened. Intrigued by the timeless allure of these magical beings, Adams has written an absorbing book that weaves together mermaid mythology, depictions of mermaids in art--the book's illustrations, by the likes of Arthur Rackham, are sumptuous--and her own personal "mermaidenry." She delves into individual myths, such as that of the mermaid Melusina, whose marriage to the founder of Luxembourg disintegrated after he broke his promise to leave her alone once a month during the time she reverted to mermaid form. Inuit legend tells of the mermaid Sedna, betrayed by both husband and father, who rules the arctic seas and makes them bountiful. Adams also explores the male reaction to mermaids, a combination of lust and fear so potent that the medieval church tried to vilify the so-called sirens of the sea in an attempt to negate their sexual draw. Mermaid lovers of all ages will be as drawn to Adams' beautiful, graceful book as Adams herself is drawn to mermaids. Kristine Huntley
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