The Penguin Book of Mermaids

The Penguin Book of Mermaids
ISBN-10
0143133721
ISBN-13
9780143133728
Category
Fiction
Pages
368
Language
English
Published
2019-10-08
Publisher
Penguin
Authors
Cristina Bacchilega, Marie Alohalani Brown

Description

Dive into centuries of mermaid lore with these captivating tales from around the world. A Penguin Classic Among the oldest and most popular mythical beings, mermaids and other merfolk have captured the imagination since long before Ariel sold her voice to a sea witch in the beloved Disney film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." As far back as the eighth century B.C., sailors in Homer's Odyssey stuffed wax in their ears to resist the Sirens, who lured men to their watery deaths with song. More than two thousand years later, the gullible New York public lined up to witness a mummified "mermaid" specimen that the enterprising showman P. T. Barnum swore was real. The Penguin Book of Mermaids is a treasury of such tales about merfolk and water spirits from different cultures, ranging from Scottish selkies to Hindu water-serpents to Chilean sea fairies. A third of the selections are published here in English for the first time, and all are accompanied by commentary that explores their undercurrents, showing us how public perceptions of this popular mythical hybrid--at once a human and a fish--illuminate issues of gender, spirituality, ecology, and sexuality.

Other editions

Similar books

  • Earthly Pleasures: A Novel
    By Karen Neches

    Ryan's photograph had been replaced with Justin Timberlake's. "Get in Synch with Justin on Earthly Pleasures," read the caption. “What are you gaping at?

  • Serial Killer in Paris
    By Thomas Donahue, Karen Donahue

    Just like I know Justin Timberlake. I met him once. But I don't know him.” He nodded. “He's in the business. Geez, you people. So now the police are going ...

  • Balancing Act
    By Jonathan Plummer, Karen Hunter

    There was one sexy Maxwell hit after the next, a few Lionel Richie classics, some— thing by India.Arie and Justin Timberlake, and, of course, John Legend.

  • Truly, Madly, Deeply: A Novel
    By Karen Kingsbury

    A few years ago the department hosted a lip-sync challenge to a Justin Timberlake song, and nearly a hundred community members took part in the video.

  • Dads in Progress Collection: An Anthology
    By Karen Rose Smith

    ... Timberlake's cat and how she climbs up the curtains,” Corrie offered. Kyle looked entranced by that idea. Sam had just reached the doorway when Kyle ...

  • The Daddy Plan
    By Karen Rose Smith

    “I'll tell him all about Mrs. Timberlake's cat and how she climbs up the curtains,” Corrie offered. Kyle looked entranced by that idea.

  • Two Become One
    By Karen Mason

    Before Farrah could even agree, Justin Timberlake was blaring at her down the phone. Farrah wasn't sure if she liked the thought of strange organisations ...

  • The Casual Vacancy
    By J. K. Rowling

    Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other.

  • L'amore che non c'è
    By Karen Lojelo

    La magia vera c'era stata. ... Se conoscete la canzone Timbaland, Nelly Furtado ft Justine Timberlake capirete la natura del ballo e che il seguito furono ...

  • Un dangereux pari - Un si séduisant célibataire
    By Karen Booth, Katherine Garbera

    Soudain la musique changea, passant sur Can't Stop the Feeling ! de Justin Timberlake. ... C'est la chanson du film Les Trolls, crut-elle bon de préciser.