The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock

A Novel

By: Imogen Hermes Gowar

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction

In 1780s London, a prosperous merchant finds his quiet life upended when he unexpectedly receives a most unusual creature - and meets a most extraordinary woman - in this much-lauded, atmospheric debut that examines our capacity for wonder, obsession, and desire with all the magnetism, originality, and literary magic of The Essex Serpent.

One September evening in 1785, Jonah Hancock hears an urgent knocking on his front door near the docks of London. The captain of one of Jonah’s trading vessels is waiting eagerly on the front step, bearing shocking news. On a voyage to the Far East, he sold the Jonah’s ship for something rare and far more precious: a mermaid. Jonah is stunned - the object the captain presents him is brown and wizened, as small as an infant, with vicious teeth and claws, and a torso that ends in the tail of a fish. It is also dead.

As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlors and brothels, all of London is curious to see this marvel in Jonah Hancock’s possession. Thrust from his ordinary existence, somber Jonah finds himself moving from the city’s seedy underbelly to the finest drawing rooms of high society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of the coquettish Angelica Neal, the most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on - and a shrewd courtesan of great accomplishment. This meeting sparks a perilous liaison that steers both their lives onto a dangerous new course as they come to realize that priceless things often come at the greatest cost.

Imogen Hermes Gowar, Britain’s most-heralded new literary talent, makes her debut with this spellbinding novel of a merchant, a mermaid, and a madam - an unforgettable confection that explores obsession, wonder, and the deepest desires of the heart with bawdy wit, intrigue, and a touch of magic.

©2018 Imogen Hermes Gowar (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Wonderful… completely transporting.” (Madeline Miller, New York Times best-selling author of Circe and The Song of Achilles)

"Historical fiction at its finest, combining myth and legend with the brutal realities of the past.... Comparisons will be drawn to the works of contemporary authors Sarah Waters and Michael Faber... but The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock has more in common with the novels of Dickens and Austen." (Irish Times)

Wonderful

Had no idea that “plunging” into this book would be so amazing!! Loved the characters, plots lines and descriptions. .

What an mesmerizing tale

Wow this did not go where I thought it would go and that’s OK. It was great: great characterization, amazing visualization and a touch of the supernatural. The representationof 18th-century London seemed very accurate and I loved the narration. I really enjoyed this book so much and I was sorry when it ended. There were some gaps in the plot, there were parts that went on a bit too long, but overall this book was such an enjoyable ride that I did not mind. I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction with a touch of supernatural.

Not as fantastical as I hoped

It's more like the show Harlots, but with less drama. I was hoping for a fantasy story, but this is much more rooted in reality. I kept hoping for more, but never got it.

Entertaining but an odd story

The entertaining but odd story of an unhappy little businessman and how a "Jack-in-the-Beanstalk" event that happens in his life, shapes and transforms his destiny and that of a beautiful prostitute. Seemed to be a type of 18th Century " Twilight Zone".

Loved it but it ended too soon. More to be told.

Great characters and excellent performance. Ended too abruptly for my taste. The epilogue made up for it though.

Thoroughly entertaining exotic period piece

Quite a tour through the underbelly of 18th Century London. The story cleverly weaves the myth of the mermaid with what the brothel offers and the human condition.

spellbinding novel and a superb performance

This is a fantastic story and I could not stop listening and thinking about it

Enchanting tale made perfect by Juliette Stevenson’s telling

A vivid, distinct and beguiling story, that swoops you into a time and place only Ms Stevenson can illuminate to utter satisfaction.
🧜🏼‍♀️Thank you!

Great Story, beautiful writing

The performance was very good, loved all the voices.
Great story but long, maybe edit a few chapters.

Easily two separate stories

This could easily have been two separate books, a Cinderella story of a courtesan and a story about a mermaid. I found it odd that the narrator barely changed her voice for men but took on a horrible falsetto for the female characters. Overall it was a decent read that while it took a moment to invest my time in, was worth the effort and may have found its way on to my reread pile.