8.03.2015

just finished reading...

I'm not sure if this book is a mystery, a coming of age story, a family saga, or what--but it's good!

From the publisher:
“Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone in a house that is slowly crumbling toward the Long Island Sound. His parents are long dead. His mother, a circus mermaid who made her living by holding her breath, drowned in the very water his house overlooks. His younger sister, Enola, ran off six years ago and now reads tarot cards for a traveling carnival.

One June day, an old book arrives on Simon’s doorstep, sent by an antiquarian bookseller who purchased it on speculation. Fragile and water damaged, the book is a log from the owner of a traveling carnival in the 1700s, who reports strange and magical things, including the drowning death of a circus mermaid. Since then, generations of “mermaids” in Simon’s family have drowned–always on July 24, which is only weeks away.

As his friend Alice looks on with alarm, Simon becomes increasingly worried about his sister. Could there be a curse on Simon’s family? What does it have to do with the book, and can he get to the heart of the mystery in time to save Enola?”

My book group is going to discuss this and I can't wait--it's got a touch of history, a touch of magic, and a love of books. I liked how the narration switched from present (Simon) to past (The Carnival Log). One of my favorites of the year.

2 comments:

Verushka said...

And there's your review! I did enjoy the Carnival chapters -- alot! (Amos!) But I wasn't as taken with the chapters with Simon.

Paula said...

Reading blogs tonight is killing my TBR pile. Yours will the the fourth book I add. Also found a new magazine to check into. Thanks for the recommendations my friend