A review by emjaysmusings
Mermaid Fillet by Mia Arderne
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this Cape Town, there’s a Goddess who casts raging red storms when female bodies are abused. It’s a place where women try to redefine their space in society. This is the story of a network of wannabe gangsters, the search for a Tamagotchi and the smokkeling of mermaid tails. Mermaid Fillet is about violence, feminism and how you dala what you must.
"People think that balance is gentle. But she knew that balance is a fight. You have to fight for balance. It requires resistance. It requires inconvenience. It requires awkwardness. Balance is not a thing of ease. Peace is not effortless, [she] came to realise. Peace is not effortless. Peace is not effortles. Peace is not effortless. Peace is worked for and cultivated."
This book will stay with me for a long time. It was not an easy read and yet, so much of it was relatable. Growing up as a coloured person in South Africa, these characters and their stories are me, my family and neighbors.
"People think that balance is gentle. But she knew that balance is a fight. You have to fight for balance. It requires resistance. It requires inconvenience. It requires awkwardness. Balance is not a thing of ease. Peace is not effortless, [she] came to realise. Peace is not effortless. Peace is not effortles. Peace is not effortless. Peace is worked for and cultivated."
This book will stay with me for a long time. It was not an easy read and yet, so much of it was relatable. Growing up as a coloured person in South Africa, these characters and their stories are me, my family and neighbors.