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Liked It “Renata is woman growing up and facing the imperfections of her family. Sometimes it's painful to remember childhood and then relive it through the eyes of an adult and seeing what was actually transpiring.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“from SweetIcedTea.net
Ginger T wrote this review Thursday, November 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
First lines can mean everything to a great novel. You’ll remember “Call me Ishmael” from the classic Moby Dick. Or from A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Two of my favorite stories of all time.)
So when I heard of this adorable Southern novel, I did not expect it to start out like this.
“If I had not read the cover story in the March 2, 2000, National Enquirer, it’s doubtful that I would have gone to Alabama and ruined my daddy’s engagement party, much less sent the bride-to-be into a coma. Just for the record, I don’t go around hitting other women, even if they are all wrong for my daddy; I don’t read tabloids, and I certainly would never steal one, yet that’s exactly what happened.”
But it sure got my attention.
From the front cover (a shot of a little girls legs, swinging from a huge live oak tree and a perfect eggshell blue airy lace dress), to the pitch-perfect Southern voice that Michael Lee West writes with, I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
Ms. West takes us through the journey of a recently heartbroken girl (blast those foreign men!), Renata DeChavannes, the daughter of a wealthy Alabama family. As she travels back home, learns the real story of her recently-deceased mother and therefore her past, gains 20 pounds, and slowly her happiness and contentment back, I came to love Renata and Company in all their zany Southerness.
Of course, food is a featured part of the story. During her visit, Renata’s grandmother, aunt, and a various asundry of other relatives and neighbors are constantly cooking for her. See how many meals you can spot.
For the rest of the story though, you’ll have to pick up Mermaids in the Basement yourself, but I’ll share a classic crab cake recipe with you (one of Renata’s favorites). Enjoy a good read and good food this weekend!”
“Kristal said: 3 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Renata DeChavannes is has recently lost her mother and now she has seen a tabloid photo of her boyfriend and a hot, young actress having a rollicking good time in Scotland. Added to the fact that she has writer's block, she decides she needs some time away. So she heads to her grandmother's mansion on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Her grandmother, Honora DeChavannes, is a force to be reckoned with and refuses to let her granddaughter wallow in self-misery, even after she becomes a suspect in the attempted murder of her father's young, clueless soon-to-be bride. In her effort to reclaim her life back, Renata discovers that she must first unearth the host of secrets that are buried with her mother and discover the true woman that she was, and make peace with the first man who abandoned her and broke her heart- her handsome and distant father.
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“Renata DeChavannes is has recently lost her mother and now she has seen a tabloid photo of her boyfriend and a hot, young actress having a rollicking good time in Scotland. Added to the fact that she has writer's block, she decides she needs some time away. So she heads to her grandmother's mansion on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Her grandmother, Honora DeChavannes, is a force to be reckoned with and refuses to let her granddaughter wallow in self-misery, even after she becomes a suspect in the attempted murder of her father's young, clueless soon-to-be bride. In her effort to reclaim her life back, Renata discovers that she must first unearth the host of secrets that are buried with her mother and discover the true woman that she was, and make peace with the first man who abandoned her and broke her heart- her handsome and distant father.
Kristal wrote this review Wednesday, November 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“It reminded me of Steel Magnolia with all the southern charm and women supporting one another.”
Cindy G wrote this review Saturday, August 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“So - so. Very pretty cover, but story was just so so.”
Nicole M wrote this review Tuesday, July 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“OK -- but not my favorite Michael Lee West books.”
Gina W wrote this review Thursday, March 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Intrigued by the title and cover design, I picked up this book from the New Releases shelf at the library. As another reader commented, I wished that what was between the covers was as interesting. The symbolism of the mermaids is woven throughout (mermaid clips worn in one's hair is repeated several times) and at times gets a bit too heavy-handed. After 280 pages, I'm still somewhat confused as to the meaning behind the title; I get the idea behind the mermaids (I think ...) but "in the basement" has me stumped. The cover design also doesn't relate to any of the storylines - again, at least not that I could tell.
Betty & Boo's Mommy wrote this review Sunday, November 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What I did like about this book was West's characters. She does a great job of depicting several memorable, strong, Southern women, particularly Honora and Isabella. As the protagonist of the novel, however, Renata isn't nearly as well-developed and defined as some of the others, which is a disappointment. Throughout the entire novel, I couldn't get the movie "Steel Magnolias" out of my mind; if this is ever optioned for a film, my bet is that they reunite Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis for this one.
There are also WAY too many characters in this novel - and they've all got something to say. "Mermaids in the Basement" is told by many, many points of view. For that reason alone, this is a book to read when you have an unlimited, uninterrupted amount of time. This is not a novel that can be read for a few moments before drifting off to sleep, for you will instantly forget what transpired, who did what to whom, who told you about it, and how they're all related.
I'm giving this three stars ("I Liked It") because there were parts of the book that I liked - the characters, and the descriptions of Point Clear, Alabama are very well-done. It's also very true to the genre of Southern fiction, which I enjoy. However, having the book told in multiple points of view, the "too-neatly-tied-up-and-too-hastily-of-an-ending," and the disconnected-ness of several of the storylines holds this one back from being a truly enjoyable read.”
“After the tabloids post a picture of her fiancee with another woman, Renata DeChavannes heads to her grandmother's home on the Gulf Coast to mend her broken heart. During her stay the story of her parents comes to light. Told in several voices, this book is a jumble of stories of strange, yet uninteresting, people. I loved the cover, I wish what was between the covers was as good. ”
punxsygal wrote this review Friday, August 29 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Strange, strange story -- actually interesting, but still strange. All the facts and foibles of an old Southern family, which are almost ruining a lot of modern lives. Good descriptions of Alabama, but I still wouldn't want to go there. Probably worthwhile, but I found it to be so-so, at best.”
Linda S wrote this review Friday, July 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Renata is woman growing up and facing the imperfections of her family. Sometimes it's painful to remember childhood and then relive it through the eyes of an adult and seeing what was actually transpiring.”
Kay H wrote this review Tuesday, July 8 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
