The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd

I was surfing through Shelfari and NY Times Bestsellers List, I came across this book. I never heard of her and was not at all aware about her style or expertise. After reading synopsis, I thought to read it.


The story is about a middle aged woman Jessie who is stay-home happy wife with psychiatrist husband and college going daughter. Her life looks perfect from far but she has started feeling lonely and suffocated lately. One fine morning she gets a call from her mother’s friend Kat to inform that her mother has cut her own finger and hence she must go and look after her. Jessie has stopped talking to her mom for few years, but she cannot say no to situation like this.

She flies to stay with her mother and realizes that her mother has done so as some sort of punishment. Her father was killed in an accident when she was a kid and her mother became very lonely after his demise. After trying several times, her mother is not willing to open up. Fighting with her own state of mind, unknowingly Jessie falls in love with monk, Brother Thomas. She is full of guilt, but she cannot backout. She is scared of losing both her husband and latest love. Brother Thomas helps her understanding her mother, Nelle’s point of view.

Jessie has always suspected that her mother’s illness has something to do with her father’s death and all her mother's friends know about it. After she cuts off her second finger, it becomes unbearable for her friends to keep that secret anymore. Her father suffered from incurable disease and decided to end his life. Nelle and all friends helped him out to carry out his suicide plan which looked like an accident. His father sits on the Mermaid Chair to poison himself. Now after these many years her mother regrets about it and as a punishment starts hurting herself.

After the truth is revealed, Jessie is relaxed enough to tackle her own problems. She decides to go back to her husband Hugh who still loves her unconditionally. Brother Thomas continues his religious journey and Jessie is once again happily married.

So many stories are interwoven – relationship between Jessie and her mother, between Jessie and her daughter Dee, Jessie and Hugh, Jessie and Brother Thomas. Author has said complicated things in very simple, but touching manner.

Best part of the story is the way author has narrated story around Egret Island – an imaginary island near the coast of South Carolina. It’s a small little island where everyone knows everyone. It’s far from even small town’s luxuries and amenities. After reading description of this island in book, it’s impossible for one not to fall in love with ocean.

Deep and profound story narrated in easy and uncomplicated fashion!