The Mermaid's Daughter

by Joyce Gard

The life of a thirteen-year-old girl living in ancient Britain changes considerably when she is selected to be "the mortal embodiment of the mermaid goddess" worshiped by her tribe. When a young man washes up on shore, she nurses him back to health. When the two fall in love their families try to force them apart.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Pseudonym of Joyce Reeves (1911 - ?)

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this historical novel when I first read it in middle school; I took the risk of re-reading it and found to my joy that it did not disappoint me. The Mermaid's Daughter is an evocative coming-of-age story with a strong female narrator, set in ancient Roman Britain and the Isles of Scilly. The pure-hearted young woman, Astria, is the living embodiment of the powerful Sea Goddess. Although she is under the protection of the Goddess, as she puts it, she has no magic powers; she endures loss and sorrow, and lives a very human life. Yet her faith in her destiny guides her as she's forced to make unexpected choices. The narrator, and the narrative, champion True Love but in an unsentimental way that also acknowledges the world's pain. This gives the plot a maturity that is still rare in YA fiction.

Don't miss the different emblems that start the individual chapters; each looks like the design for a beautiful brooch.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had haunted me since I read it in 9th grade. At the time, it was the best pagan novel I had ever read and spurred me to find many more...leading me to Mary Renault, Robert Graves, and Joseph Campbell among others who have written about long lost parts of history or myth and the spiritual basis of certain belief systems.

This book was my first matriarchal society novels.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. I go back to it again and again.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this delightful book years ago and had to own it. Since then I’ve read it several times. Reading it again as a change of pace from vampires and demons. Check it out. You’ll love it.

Even though this would not be considered an adult-type book by today’s standards it’s still not a children’s story. It’s a beautifully deep story rich with Welsh history and culture set in the time of the Roman occupation of Britain. It’s the story of Astria, a young girl in the Isles of Scilly who’s been chosen to be the mermaid goddess’s daughter on Earth and her struggles to balance her dedication to her goddess and her private life. Her early life on the isles was filled with joy, peace and contentment. Then she finds true love. At first, everything is beautiful until heartache, depression, grief, shock, treachery, hopelessness and more tragedy enter her life. But finally, in the end she makes it back home and she has her HEA.

Fave scenes: Halloriqs’s visit at the Cetobriga Shrine, the gift of a book, Astria finding the secret way out and the lovers reunion.

[Ko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in the 8-9th grade late 70's & it sparked a lifelong interest in lore, folktales of the feminine type for the rest of my life.

[Vanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

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