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crasscasualty's review against another edition
4.0
When King Louis (insert number) of France orders a sea monster captured and brought back to Versailles because he thinks it holds the secret to eternal life, you bet your ass his gets his fricking sea monster. The critter is put into a fountain on the castle grounds to be studied. The chief researcher's sister, a scientist in her own right, discovers something intriguing about the sea monster and risks her place in court and her life to protect it from being devoured by the king. Also, interesting glimpses at the nascent scientific revolution.
This is the first alt-history book I've enjoyed in a long time. The plot is vaguely vapid, but thoroughly enjoyable. And it stars a bad-ass 18th century French baroque lady scientist! THAT'S A LOT OF GOOD ADJECTIVES, SON.
This is the first alt-history book I've enjoyed in a long time. The plot is vaguely vapid, but thoroughly enjoyable. And it stars a bad-ass 18th century French baroque lady scientist! THAT'S A LOT OF GOOD ADJECTIVES, SON.
cereuslyrico's review against another edition
5.0
I saw the movie on a flight, it wasn't great, not even good, but it had the potential for charm. So when I saw it was based off a book I had to read it immediately.
This book is infinitely better, it's fantastic, I can't believe they butchered it so dreadfully as a movie. The characters are developed, each an obvious product of their upbringing who grow and change throughout the course of the novel. The mermaid actually has a voice and a culture, the main character starts off as wanting to fit in with the court like any other teenage girl would. She learns how to be her own person. Also the love interest is a man with dwarfism and I can't fathom why they didn't keep that in the movie, I guess Peter Dinklage was busy and they couldn't be bothered to find anyone else?
This book is infinitely better, it's fantastic, I can't believe they butchered it so dreadfully as a movie. The characters are developed, each an obvious product of their upbringing who grow and change throughout the course of the novel. The mermaid actually has a voice and a culture, the main character starts off as wanting to fit in with the court like any other teenage girl would. She learns how to be her own person. Also the love interest is a man with dwarfism and I can't fathom why they didn't keep that in the movie, I guess Peter Dinklage was busy and they couldn't be bothered to find anyone else?
elusivity's review against another edition
4.0
Pageantry in the court of the Sun King, intertwining a brother and sister's fortune with a sea monster who turned out to be not so monstrous.
This isn't really a story about intricate court intrigues (alas! for I love those). The plot is fairly straightforward, and although there is a large cast of characters, only 5 really matters: Marie-Joseph -- wide-eyed, good-hearted, intelligent, yet incredibly naive re anything sex-related; Yves, her brother, aspiring to delve deep into scientific studies; Lucien -- hooray for an unusual yet still swoon-worthy hero -- the sea "monster" yearning for her freedom, and the Sun King himself, seeking to maintain power as he faced age and France's decline. Each has his own goals and wishes, and vie to have them met.
Strip the description of jewels and laces and court dalliances -- the novel verges on a dreamy fairy tale, in which one does not expect too much nuance or meticulous logic (i.e. WHY does Lucien always turn up at such opportune times? You'd think as the King's favourite courtier, he'd be much too busy to be on the lookout for a poor nobody like Marie-Joseph). A slow, elongated, stretched-out fairy tale. However, although I cursed the slow pacing for nigh on the entire first third of the book, this did not stop me from turning the pages and reading every single word (as opposed to, you know, merrily skimming along).
In its day, this novel won the Nebula Award. As such, it is a lighter novel than some of its compatriots, but quite worthy of a read!
This isn't really a story about intricate court intrigues (alas! for I love those). The plot is fairly straightforward, and although there is a large cast of characters, only 5 really matters: Marie-Joseph -- wide-eyed, good-hearted, intelligent, yet incredibly naive re anything sex-related; Yves, her brother, aspiring to delve deep into scientific studies; Lucien -- hooray for an unusual yet still swoon-worthy hero -- the sea "monster" yearning for her freedom, and the Sun King himself, seeking to maintain power as he faced age and France's decline. Each has his own goals and wishes, and vie to have them met.
Strip the description of jewels and laces and court dalliances -- the novel verges on a dreamy fairy tale, in which one does not expect too much nuance or meticulous logic (i.e. WHY does Lucien always turn up at such opportune times? You'd think as the King's favourite courtier, he'd be much too busy to be on the lookout for a poor nobody like Marie-Joseph). A slow, elongated, stretched-out fairy tale. However, although I cursed the slow pacing for nigh on the entire first third of the book, this did not stop me from turning the pages and reading every single word (as opposed to, you know, merrily skimming along).
In its day, this novel won the Nebula Award. As such, it is a lighter novel than some of its compatriots, but quite worthy of a read!
sfwordsofwonder's review against another edition
3.0
Check out my full, spoiler lite, video review HERE.
Historical fiction/fantasy story set in 17th century France. Great writing, interesting story, nice finish.
Historical fiction/fantasy story set in 17th century France. Great writing, interesting story, nice finish.
ginnikin's review against another edition
There's nothing wrong with this, but I didn't feel any compulsion to return to it after the first night of reading, and the book is due back at the library. *shrug*
I will say, though, as a French speaker, that $English!title de $French!word created massive amounts of cognitive dissonance. If you use "de", use the French title. If you want the English title, use "of". Someone made a bad choice, and a lot of other someones went along with it. Bad editorial team, no biscuit.
I will say, though, as a French speaker, that $English!title de $French!word created massive amounts of cognitive dissonance. If you use "de", use the French title. If you want the English title, use "of". Someone made a bad choice, and a lot of other someones went along with it. Bad editorial team, no biscuit.
reasie's review against another edition
4.0
If you've ever been interested in the court of Louis XIV - and really, who hasn't had at the very least a car-crash-stare fascination with its egregious excess? - this book is for you. Lovely detailed feel to the setting, real historical characters behaving badly, and oh yeah also a mermaid.
Our heroine, Marie-Josephine, a lady-in-waiting to Madame the Duchess of Orleans, former convent-dweller, is an aspiring scientist and sister to young priest/ scientist Yves, who has calculated the mating habits and migrations of the sea monsters and uses this to be the first person to capture one live! It is believed that eating the flesh of a sea monster will grant immortality, and Louis XIV is ready to throw his considerable fortune behind that. But only Marie-Josephine can convince the ailing mermaid to eat as she languishes, imprisoned in the Apollo Fountain..
And Marie-Josephine quickly learns that her charge is sentient, and tries to fight to save her life before the king's grand banquet!
I loved the characters - especially our very hot romantic lead Lucian, Comte de Chretien. Gets a wee bit maybe preachy (or anti-preachy?) in its dealings with the church, but as an atheist (like Lucian!) I was a-okay with that.
Our heroine, Marie-Josephine, a lady-in-waiting to Madame the Duchess of Orleans, former convent-dweller, is an aspiring scientist and sister to young priest/ scientist Yves, who has calculated the mating habits and migrations of the sea monsters and uses this to be the first person to capture one live! It is believed that eating the flesh of a sea monster will grant immortality, and Louis XIV is ready to throw his considerable fortune behind that. But only Marie-Josephine can convince the ailing mermaid to eat as she languishes, imprisoned in the Apollo Fountain..
And Marie-Josephine quickly learns that her charge is sentient, and tries to fight to save her life before the king's grand banquet!
I loved the characters - especially our very hot romantic lead Lucian, Comte de Chretien. Gets a wee bit maybe preachy (or anti-preachy?) in its dealings with the church, but as an atheist (like Lucian!) I was a-okay with that.
rpaull_13's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
catwithakeyboard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sortabadass's review against another edition
2.0
So continues my crawl through Nebula award winners. This one was a bit surreal because I read it while suffering from one of my worst illnesses in years, so I keep reminding myself that it wasn't a fever dream.
The Moon and the Sun is a historical fantasy novel about the capture of a mermaid during the reign of Louis XIV. The premise is incredible and, unfortunately, the execution of the novel winnowed away a lot of my gumption to keep reading.
I did love learning more about the court of the Sun King. McIntyre described a fascinating microcosm revolving around the habits and fancy of one man in a way that no history nonfiction book had yet brought to life for me. The church's response to the question of the mermaid was also well-described if typical.
My main gripe with this book is that Marie-Josephe is the biggest Mary Sue this side of Ayla Cavebear. So that's an aggravation to power through.
Through googling, I have also found that The Moon and the Sun is set to announce its film release any day now. I must admit, that I'm very excited about the idea of Pierce Brosnan as Louis XIV.... His casting role is a stroke of brilliance.
However, what I've seen of the promotional images leaves a lot to be desired.
This is Louis and Marie-Josephe:
For contrast, this was actually what Louis wore:
And I did lots of googling: bosoms aplenty in Louis's time but nary a bare arm to be seen.
I must admit that I'm pretty disappointed! I mean, Louis XIV put the "holy wah" in bourgeoisie -- why dress him like a freshman who can't find a costume for a I <3 The 1690s party? And the protagonist's dress just looks like mildly attractive underwear. Disappointing.
The Moon and the Sun is a historical fantasy novel about the capture of a mermaid during the reign of Louis XIV. The premise is incredible and, unfortunately, the execution of the novel winnowed away a lot of my gumption to keep reading.
I did love learning more about the court of the Sun King. McIntyre described a fascinating microcosm revolving around the habits and fancy of one man in a way that no history nonfiction book had yet brought to life for me. The church's response to the question of the mermaid was also well-described if typical.
My main gripe with this book is that Marie-Josephe is the biggest Mary Sue this side of Ayla Cavebear.
Spoiler
Oh gee, the beautiful, modest, intelligent mathematician/biologist/artist is also a world-level composer? Great. Well, I managed to not eat the entire box of Cheez-Its while watching anime this weekend, so I have things going for me too. (Lies. I did eat the entire box.)Through googling, I have also found that The Moon and the Sun is set to announce its film release any day now. I must admit, that I'm very excited about the idea of Pierce Brosnan as Louis XIV.... His casting role is a stroke of brilliance.
However, what I've seen of the promotional images leaves a lot to be desired.
This is Louis and Marie-Josephe:
For contrast, this was actually what Louis wore:
And I did lots of googling: bosoms aplenty in Louis's time but nary a bare arm to be seen.
I must admit that I'm pretty disappointed! I mean, Louis XIV put the "holy wah" in bourgeoisie -- why dress him like a freshman who can't find a costume for a I <3 The 1690s party? And the protagonist's dress just looks like mildly attractive underwear. Disappointing.