'The Mermaid Chair' by Sue Monk Kidd is a story about Jessie, a middle-aged woman who returns to her hometown to take care of her mentally unstable mother. The narrative revolves around Jessie's journey of self-discovery as she confronts her past, her relationships, and her desires, including an unexpected romantic involvement with a monk. The plot delves into themes of marriage, family secrets, mental illness, and the consequences of one's choices, all set against the backdrop of a mysterious chair dedicated to a saint with a mythical origin. The writing style is described as beautiful, evocative, and at times difficult to read, with memorable imagery and poignant lines that capture the raw emotions and complexities of the characters' experiences.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, particularly Jessie, who navigates her midlife crisis, and her mother, who faces mental health challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions and a poetic narrative that evokes deep emotions and reflections.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Jessie's return to her childhood home due to a family emergency, where she confronts personal crises, including her marriage and her father's death.

Setting:

The setting is a fictional island off South Carolina, enriching the narrative with its natural beauty and symbolism.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with some slower moments for character development and emotional reflection, which can feel uneven.

February 17, 1988, I opened my eyes and heard a procession of sounds: first the phone going off on the opposite side of the bed, rousing us at 5:04 A.M. to what could only be a calamity, then rain pum...

Notes:

The Mermaid Chair is Sue Monk Kidd's second novel, published after the success of The Secret Life of Bees.

The story follows Jessie Sullivan, a woman in her 40s, who returns to Egret Island after her mother injures herself.

Jessie's journey is a process of self-discovery as she navigates her stagnant marriage and a newfound attraction to Brother Thomas, a monk.

The book explores themes of midlife crisis, family dynamics, and the complexities of love and fidelity.

Kidd uses rich imagery to depict the South Carolina island setting, creating a vivid backdrop for the emotional story.

The title refers to a mermaid chair located in a monastery, tied to legends framed within the narrative.

Critics and readers have mixed feelings about Jessie's character, some find her relatable while others see her as self-indulgent.

Jessie's relationship with her mother and the issues surrounding her father's death create significant tension in the narrative.

The book touches on themes of guilt and the impact of unresolved family secrets on personal identity and relationships.

The novel has been compared to Chick Lit, but many see it as a deeper exploration of family and self rather than a simple romance.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Mermaid Chair include themes of infidelity, mental health struggles, self-harm (mother cutting her finger), and the emotional fallout from grief and loss.

Has Romance?

The book includes a significant romantic element, particularly dealing with Jessie’s affair with Brother Thomas.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

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 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 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.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (1)

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About the Author:

Sue Monk Kidd's debut novel, The Secret Life of Bees, spent more than one hundred weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold more than six million copies in the United States, was turned into both an award-winning major motion picture…

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The Mermaid Chair

Sue Monk Kidd