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Mermaids in Paradise  By  cover art

Mermaids in Paradise

By: Lydia Millet
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

In this hilarious novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet, a honeymooning couple makes friends with a marine biologist who discovers genuine mermaids in a coral reef - and who, the next night, apparently drowns in her hotel bathtub. As a resort chain swoops in to corner the market on mermaids, the newlyweds (opinionated, skeptical narrator Deb and handsome online gamer Chip, the world's friendliest man) join forces with other vacationers - including an ex-Navy SEAL with a love of explosives and a hipster Tokyo VJ - to protect the mermaids from the corporate "Venture of Marvels" that wants to turn their habitat into a theme park.

©2014 Lydia Millet (P)2014 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"An admirable example of a funny novel with a serious message that works swimmingly. Dive in." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Mermaids in Paradise

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Rewarded for hanging in with this one

Where does Mermaids in Paradise rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love many of the audiobooks I listen to - I dislike a very small number and don't even finish many of those. This one is an odd one that falls a bit more in the middle. I liked it a lot, but didn't absolutely love it.

What did you like best about this story?

A good story about mermaids is hard to find.

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think I would have put down the book actually. There was something warm about her tone despite the thick irony at the beginning.

If you could rename Mermaids in Paradise, what would you call it?

Wouldn't rename it.

Any additional comments?

As I have indicated - a bit too ironic and sarcastic at the beginning but I was rewarded for staying the distance. The story all catches up with itself and is very entertaining and interesting once you break through.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Somebody had elocution lessons!

The story is unremarkable, giving way to the terribly obvious attempts at proper elocution from the narrator. I do not recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

monotone...

The story could have been interesting if it weren't for the cliche phrases & feigned intellectualism. Not what I was looking for in what I thought would be a fun beach read. I won't start on the narrator... Someone should get her a cup of coffee & have her try again.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Awful

Omg painful to listen to. The author labors on with annoying tangents. I actively hated the main character narrating the book after 15 minutes. Didn't get past the 1st chapter.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

What a silly story.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Somebody who wants purely escapist fiction who has a low bar of quality.

Would you ever listen to anything by Lydia Millet again?

Not likely.

Any additional comments?

I ordered this because it was on several "Best of the Year' books. I can't imagine why.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Sarcastic waste of time

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It is written by a character who is sarcastic and negative about everything from the first sentence. Gets very tiresome quickly. Almost like a valley girl recitation

What was most disappointing about Lydia Millet’s story?

It is trivial to the point of the absurd

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her voice was a constant reminder of a spoiled rich bratty valley girl

Any additional comments?

I have deleted after the 2nd chapter.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Awful!

I am surprised this was a Booker finalist. The main protagonist is simpering and irritating. A disappointing listen. I would not recommend this book or recording.

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