Scan barcode
jillrock96's review
3.0
I thought this book was just ok. It reminded me so much of Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, except not nearly as good. I thought it had a great deal of potential, but unfortunately it did not live up the plot build-up.
caysie's review
2.0
It's not a bad book, but it just seemed off to me. The deep dark terrible horrible DRAMATIC secrets? They really weren't THAT bad or unpredictable, and could have been told in one sentence. Don't even get me started on the dad. I'd rather read a whole book just about the grandma, she was a pretty good character!
mishale1's review
2.0
Well, darn! I started this book and loved how beautifully every thing was described, I thought I would love it.
But then Renata started learning her family's secrets and I liked it less and less.
I'm going to use some spoilers so I can share my thoughts.
Renata thinks her boyfriend has cheated, she goes home to visit her grandmother and decides to open the Pandora's box.
It seems like Renata's issues with men stem back to her childhood issues with her dad.
Her dad acts like he doesn't love her. Seriously,it's not bad enough that he barely talks to her, but then he actually accuses her of attempting to kill his fiancée?
There was never a justification good enough, in my opinion, for why her dad is not nice to her. Because him and Renata's mom had major drama? Nope, not good enough.
Then add in that the characters are telling Renata these extremely scandalous stories for the very first time, about her parents, grandparents and family friends. But Renata never responds when they're talking. They are describing every food and drink they consumed 30 years ago, they are giving very descriptive details about her parents' love lives and Renata is just sitting there peacefully listening to it all?
I'll give the author credit for the ability to write a very descriptive story, I'm just bummed that it went from a story I thought I'd love to a story I was anxious to finish.
But then Renata started learning her family's secrets and I liked it less and less.
I'm going to use some spoilers so I can share my thoughts.
Renata thinks her boyfriend has cheated, she goes home to visit her grandmother and decides to open the Pandora's box.
It seems like Renata's issues with men stem back to her childhood issues with her dad.
Her dad acts like he doesn't love her. Seriously,it's not bad enough that he barely talks to her, but then he actually accuses her of attempting to kill his fiancée?
There was never a justification good enough, in my opinion, for why her dad is not nice to her. Because him and Renata's mom had major drama? Nope, not good enough.
Then add in that the characters are telling Renata these extremely scandalous stories for the very first time, about her parents, grandparents and family friends. But Renata never responds when they're talking. They are describing every food and drink they consumed 30 years ago, they are giving very descriptive details about her parents' love lives and Renata is just sitting there peacefully listening to it all?
I'll give the author credit for the ability to write a very descriptive story, I'm just bummed that it went from a story I thought I'd love to a story I was anxious to finish.
rachelaustin's review
2.0
I was liking this until about 60% in and then it just started getting really weird. I would have given the first 50% of the book 4 stars but the last 40% was just not what I would have preferred.
glaurieousrun's review
5.0
This is a terrific story, well-written, easy to read. I had tears in my eyes at the end. A beautiful story about family secrets and the love that binds us together. Loved it.
trupti's review
4.0
First Line:
” If I had not read the cover story in the March 2, 2000, National Enquirer, it’s doubtful that I would have gone to Alabama and ruined my daddy’s engagement party, much less sent the bride-to-be into a coma.”
Renata is a Hollywood script writer. Her boyfriend is a Hollywood director who is currently directing Ulysses with an actress who cannot speak English and who is known for her colorful ways. Renata thought she had a perfect life, but then everything comes apart when she reads the news in ‘National Enquirer’ suggesting that her boyfriend Fergusson has been getting cozy with his new actress. This news comes after her mom, whom she very close to, and step father die in an accident. Renata is devastated and hurt. And she does the only thing most of us would do. She goes home. Home is Point Clear, Alabama. Home is her grandmother Honora and her nanny Glady’s. Home could have also meant her father Louie, but he has been distant from her since he divorced her mother.
But Renata has one more reason for going home. She finds her mother Shelby’s letter tucked in a drawer that said it is to be opened only after her death. Shelby wants her to know certain things from her past which only Honora and Glady’s could tell.
And thus begins a tale through mysterious letters and newspaper clippings found in her mother’s trunk. Every cutting has a story, be it a party or a wedding announcement. Renata, through these cuttings, her grandmother and nanny learns things that she never thought could have been possible.
The story and the mystery unfold slowly but there wasn’t a single boring moment in the book. The characters were brought to life in a way that made me feel like I was watching a movie. Honora, Glady’s, Shelby and Isabelle (a former actress and Honora’s best friend) are all very colorful characters in true Hollywood style. They have secrets to share and things to reveal that couldn’t be short of a soap opera.
‘Mermaids in the basement’ is more of a character based novel rather than plot based. As Renata learns of new secrets everyday, the reader also learns new facets of every character and makes you feel like you know them so well. The author creates a very ‘I feel I am right there’ atmosphere with her beautiful descriptions of different places. You can smell the food, the air which is a part of the typical Southern atmosphere.
But there is a little problem. Although it’s small I am going to mention it here. As Renata is learning the truth of her mother’s relationship with her father through memories of these women, the narration switches very frequently. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out whether they are talking to Renata or whether they are just remembering the past. You just have to read the end of every chapter carefully to know what’s coming next.
This is my first Michael Lee West book and I am sure I am going to read more. Don’t forget to check out ’Mermaids in the basement’.
By the way, the novel also has some yummy, mouth watering recipes at the back.
Originally posted at http://violetcrush.wordpress.com
jgallagher1983's review
1.0
I tried... I really did. But this was NOT good. NOT akin to Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, not like Fried Green Tomatoes... unlike everything it's been compared to. Poor writing, insipid characters, overdone drama... and weird sex scenes. Ugh. No thanks.
melissafirman's review against another edition
2.5
Intrigued by the title, cover design, and plot, I picked this up from the New Releases shelf of the library. Alas, I only wish what was between the covers was as interesting. The symbolism of the mermaids is woven throughout (mermaid clips worn in one's hair is repeated several times) and at times gets a bit too heavy-handed. After 280 pages, I'm still somewhat confused as to the meaning behind the title; I get the idea behind the mermaids (I think ...) but "in the basement" has me stumped. The cover design also doesn't relate to any of the storylines - again, at least not that I could tell.
What I did like about this book was West's characters. She does a great job of depicting several memorable, strong, Southern women, particularly Honora and Isabella. As the protagonist of the novel, however, Renata isn't nearly as well-developed and defined as some of the others, which is a disappointment. Throughout the entire novel, I couldn't get the movie "Steel Magnolias" out of my mind; if this is ever optioned for a film, my bet is that they reunite Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis for this one.
There are also WAY too many characters in this novel - and they've all got something to say. Mermaids in the Basement is told by many, many points of view. For that reason alone, this is a book to read when you have an unlimited, uninterrupted amount of time. This is not a novel that can be read for a few moments before drifting off to sleep, for you will instantly forget what transpired, who did what to whom, who told you about it, and how they're all related.
What I did like about this book was West's characters. She does a great job of depicting several memorable, strong, Southern women, particularly Honora and Isabella. As the protagonist of the novel, however, Renata isn't nearly as well-developed and defined as some of the others, which is a disappointment. Throughout the entire novel, I couldn't get the movie "Steel Magnolias" out of my mind; if this is ever optioned for a film, my bet is that they reunite Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis for this one.
There are also WAY too many characters in this novel - and they've all got something to say. Mermaids in the Basement is told by many, many points of view. For that reason alone, this is a book to read when you have an unlimited, uninterrupted amount of time. This is not a novel that can be read for a few moments before drifting off to sleep, for you will instantly forget what transpired, who did what to whom, who told you about it, and how they're all related.
I'm giving this 2.5 stars (out of 5) because there were parts of the book that I liked - the characters, and the descriptions of Point Clear, Alabama are very well-done. It's also very true to the genre of Southern fiction, which I enjoy. However, having the book told in multiple points of view, the "too-neatly-tied-up-and-too-hastily-of-an-ending," and the disconnected-ness of several of the storylines holds this one back from being a truly enjoyable read.
rmaclean's review against another edition
1.0
Very fluffy. Not well written. The book editor didn't even read the book carefully. Not reccomended.
More...