The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd (2005, Hardcover)

This book was a slow mover and it took me a few days to read it because I wasn't very interested. It does keep you involved, because you just have to know the ending! I would recommend it for some people, but not for all. If you can't stand a slow moving novel, this book is not for you!

I bought this book because I previously read The Secret Life of Bees. The title also caught my attention. I couldn't relate to the women in the story myself, but I could relate her to many women I know. You know her, the woman who takes good care of her husband, children, and parents. She usually puts herself last and feels empty inside. In the Mermaid Chair, I like that she "finds herself." This book was easy to get into and worth reading for the ending. The middle dragged a little, but all in all it was a good book and I would recommend it to the everyday reader. After I read it, I gave it to that woman I mentioned earlier. Take care fellow readers.

Sue Monk Kidd has proven to be a fantastic novelist since she broke away from her genre background. This is a beautiful tale, beautifully told. The characters are richly drawn and the pacing of the story perfect. I bought it for myself and have given it as gifts.

If you liked The Secret Life of Bees you will love this novel. Great self discovery tones run throughout the book. It kept my interest, I couldn't wait to see how it ended. Awesome beach book!

Sue Monk Kidd is a favorite author of mine. Always delivers. Titles are an alluring suggestion of the thread that that winds through the story. Author's books are a favorite gift selection and all her works are a must read.

Life is not always pretty and The Mermaid Chair explores the good and the bad that life lays before us. Excellent story of one womens struggle with her life and her marriage. Of the good and bad in all of us. I don't see this as a love story but rather a story of one womens self discovery and the rebirth of her life and marriage. Wonderful read, I couldn't put it down until I knew the ending!

It was delicious fantasy; an escape into the mid-life, care-giving, religious quandary that many women face daily, looking for that mythological fictional distraction.

This book was well worth the $1.00 I paid on EBAY.

I too got the book because I had read the Secret Life of Bees which I really enjoyed. Both were full of fantasies of a sort which is fine by me. But it seemed here as though the ridiculous and selfish (for both people) affair, which just disappeared with the snap of a finger, went on forever and was boring! Got really tired of the oysters shyly opening and crabs scuttling, dancing and snapping their claws and porpoises drifting and "mermaids", "women diving"...much empty description, empty characters in the end. I imagine a movie will be made. I might even see it to see what they do with it. Would like to read another Kidd like the Bees.

This is a great read and soon to be movie realease. The story line explores the relationships between a mother and daughter, husband and wife, and with oneself. The plot has just enough morbidity to fasinate with the mother chopping off a finger and buring it ceremoniously in the courtyard of the Abby. I liked how Jesse, the main character, develops her train of thought and relizes the bond of family both parental and marital. The only glitch in the plot for me was the ease in which Jesse enters into her affair. I wasn't able to make that jump, bout once I got past it the rest of the plot was satisfing. It is a good read and reccommended. I am looking forward to seeing the movie soon.

I bought this book for my daughter, I had read the book and sold it,then when she wanted it She is reading it now and enjoying it.I had also read and recommended to her The Secret Life of Bee's which is a very good book,my grandson had that book on his summer reading list.He also enjoyed it.

I dont read books like this one but the title was one reason i bought it and read it.It was not as i thought but loved how the story line was.It give you the light to see on the other side and to see how when it comes down to it we are all in the same boat and we are alike.The story about the women Jessie who fall in love with a monk shocked me at first but as i read more about what was going on inside her i fell everyone women one way or another has felt that way herself not falling in love with a monk but felt traped in a marrage and felt they are used not good.So Jessie in this book took it the wrong way but it was the way she felt was best for her .All i can say it i think when you read this book each person will get something out of it and will walk away with a bit more understanding of what the writer was trying to say.Judge for yourself and enjoy a story that will make you think of life love and how we all live.......

The book was OK. I for sure liked "The Secret Life of Bees" a lot better than I liked this book. It was kind of boring.

The item I ordered came very quickly in good condition and the seller included a card so that I could contact them if there were any problems.

It's about a woman who has been married 20 years and decides to have an affair. It's presented like she had no choice about the matter. Her mother is having some difficulties that relate to her father. The mother was so deeply in love with the father that she would cut off a finger to get him back, and the daughter casually throws away a 20 year marriage for a relationship with a monk. It shows the daughter as fickle and the results aren't without pain.
I didn't walk away with a warm fuzzy feeling.

This is an easy read, fun and captivating. The book arrived quicker than I expected and as promised, it arrived in excellent condition. Much easier than bothering w/the public library or driving to a book store. Awesome job with customer service!

I am enjoying the book. Currently reading, so can't say on the overall story, but enjoying so far. The book was in excellent condition, if only it could have been shipped faster. Read one of her previous books and enjoyed so decided to try another.