Reading American Mermaid

 

Yesterday I picked up American Mermaid by Julia Langbein at the Galloway, New Jersey public library. I started reading it in the library and I am enjoying it and am now about halfway through. The first line is

The novel that I wrote begins with a woman in a wheelchair falling into the sea.

 

The book is something of an experimental novel — one of my favorite forms, and we need more of them — that alternates between the mermaid story and the story of the author of the mermaid novel who has sold her story to Hollywood. The author appreciates the money but is horrified by the changes being made to the story. A bit like the Alan Alda picture Sweet Liberty, Charles Bukowski’s Hollywood or the television show Episodes. Having the story switch between the mermaid novel and the Hollywood novel keeps the tone moving from sweet and melodramatic to over the top satire. The book might have been better if we’re a 175 page micro novel, but, overall, I am impressed.