Overall Rating:

5 out of 5

Ignore the negative review! This book is great., February 15, 2009
By Mandy_Lu

"I am astonished by the negativity of the reviews about this book! I absolutely loved it. I did not find the central character unlikeable or shallow and I enjoyed her rambling musing on how she got to this point in her life. When I read this book a few years ago, I was early 40's, two young-ish children, and all I wanted was time to myself, time by myself, time where I wasn't anything to anyone but myself. I was able to lose myself in the main character's introspections and muse on aspects of my own life and how they related. I thought the book contained some great insights. I actually then went to read her "secret life of bees" book (the one your other reviewers all say is "much better") and found that was the one deserving of more of their scorn! Each to their own. As I am NOT an american, I found "the secret life of bees" to be a great american guilt-fest where you think your culture is responsible for all the rights and wrongs of the entire planet. I didn't even finish reading it properly, from a great beginning, I just had to flick through to the end. "Yada yada yada more american naval gazing." The mermaid's chair was more relevant to the condition of any middle-aged woman around the world. So to those negative reviewers, I say you must lead very smug lives with great certainty as to the rightness of your choices and the love you have for everyone around you. If, however, you find yourself wishing for a less pigeon-holed life, restricted by your role as wife and mother, then perhaps you would find the book relevant, insightful and just enjoyable as I did. Also, I really enjoy her writing - the pace, the flavours, the sensations. I would read anything else she wrote - but don't 'diss' this book just because your smugly righteous lifestyle doesn't consider the subject matter "worthy" enough. Get over yourself, america."

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