Mermaids in Paradise: A Novel

I love reading Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Lydia Millet’s smart and clever novels. Her new one, MERMAIDS IN PARADISE (WWNorton) includes mermaids, so I was in heaven! No, I’m not Millet’s publicist, nor did I receive a review copy. I just happen to really like mermaids and her book is just that good. KIRKUS calls her ninth novel, MERMAIDS IN PARADISE one of six novels “you must read” by the end of 2014.Deborah and Chip meet speed dating and soon after, they get married. The LA couple have to decide where they’re going for their honeymoon. Chip wants to cruise with Midwesterners, or trek in the Himalayas, possibly go on a safari, Deb is more a spa kind of gal! They compromise and head off to the British Virgin Islands for some R&R at Paradise Bay Resort in the Caribbean.Deb prefers time alone with Chip, but he likes making friends and seats them at a couples table where some unfunny-funny business takes place under the table. “”He made me feel like my toes were prostitutes. Like my toes, Chip , were dolled up in Fredericks of Hollywood. That’s not right.” “Your lips say no, but your toes say yes,” said Chip.”Soon Deb and Chip are out on a boat with a parrot fish expert and discover mermaids. They try to put a lid on the find, but the story gets out to the resort goons who want to capitalize on it, by caging the mermaids in an underwater zoo and turning it into a Theme Park.Millet weaves her witty dialogue through offbeat storylines including what may or may not be a murder, kidnappers, a former Navy SEAL still on-duty, a popular Japanese VJ in need of a satellite dish, too many muumuus on the beach, and the battle over ecotourism creating a satire guaranteed to entertain. Dare I write, there’s a message, too?Once reading MERMAIDS IN PARADISE, you’ll want to check out all of her other novels and short story collections. She also writes YA. Check out http://www.lydiamillet.com for all things LYDIA!I LOVE the cover! Great job Julia Druskin and Chris Welch Design at WWNorton.

This is a wonderful book that swallows the reader whole. Deb, our narrator is witty, and darkly humorous. By the time she has told us about her wedding, and her slightly antisocial approach to life, we have fallen into her view of the world. The next chapter, she has gone on a honeymoon with her husband Chip and has seen a mermaid. And the reader seems to seamlessly go with the assumption that this is true and that the real issue is keeping her safe and secret.Deb is a cranky young woman. Under the sway of her friend, she is way too obsessed with the obesity epidemic for my taste, but that would be my single problem with her. The rest of the way she views our race with spirited distrust is endearing to me. Then having fallen for the whole assumption about having seen the mermaids, it seems logical to be involved in a race to save said mers, which apparently is the politically correct way to refer to them.As far as I am concerned, any book that refers to a politically correct form for mermaids is a keeper. The quirky point of view enhances the package, and the jaundiced view of society wraps it up. This is a great book;well a great book to read.

Mermaids in Paradise is a big chewy novel with so many twists and turns that it will keep you engrossed. The sibling dynamics were conflicting, yet loving. The two main characters were so multi-faceted that you fell in love with both of them. The descriptions of everything from the food in the restaurant, to the mansion, and the surfing were all so vivid that I felt like I was there. Biggest surprise? New Zealand! Who knew it was so magnificent?Mermaids in Paradise is a story of love and redemption, hurt and forgiveness, and family, birth or choice. Read it. You will be happy you did.

This started out slowly and the narrator Deb's voice was on the snarky side so I didn't like her at first and it took me a while to get into it. It picked up in the middle, after Deb and her new husband Chip got to the Caribbean island for their honeymoon and the mermaids appeared. (I don't consider this to be a spoiler given the title.) There were quite a few laughs in it and an interesting mystery, but it kind of petered out at the end. On the whole, I'd give it a B-, good beach reading.

Many complaints that people were disappointed this wasn't a "chick lit' read. It started like that, but was deeper. I have to say the final few pages really changed the entire tenor of the book - and I had to read the end a few times. If I didn't have so many other things to read I'd consider re-reading the whole thing to see if there's any indication of what happens.

A really clever and well written novel,embracing young entitled millennial and their encounter while in their honeymoon with some mer people and their struggle to ensure the well being of these mythical creatures when word gets out about this sighting. The struggle enlists those vacationers also wanting to protect the environment against materialism and the vitriol of the crazies of our world. Lots to think about,many important relevant themes and a satisfactory outcome.

It crept up on me slowly but with quiet delibertness. Believing in Mermaids didn't seem plausible at first but in a short time, they were as real as my nose. I won't spoil it for those to yet read it but the ending kicked me in the gut. Loved it all the way. Would be fun for book clubs. Looking forward to more writing by Lydia Millet??

Written in such a sarcastic first person it almost bordered on the cynical. While I enjoyed the premise the prose made me put down the book on more than one occasion. Aside from the first person the other characters were entirely 2 dimensional. The author may have a clever mind but needs to make you feel more vested in the characters.