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Mermaids, Sirens and Selkies: Myths and Legends
Legends about sea people – part human, part fish – have been told across the world since ancient times. Now the best of these stories are brought together in one entrancing volume.
Early maps carried illustrations of mermaids alongside monsters, signalling both the allure and the danger of uncharted seas. The far-reaching historical and cultural significance of mermaids and their kin is reflected in the myriad stories about them.
Odysseus at sea must resist the sirens’ song. There are sea serpents from North America and selkies from Scotland. And from shores across the globe, humble fishermen and princes alike fall in love with mermaids in stories from Germany to Japan by way of Denmark with the famous story of The Little Mermaid.
Mermaids, Sirens and Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
For more myths from Jean Menzies, Fairies, Elves and Sprites is also available.
Early maps carried illustrations of mermaids alongside monsters, signalling both the allure and the danger of uncharted seas. The far-reaching historical and cultural significance of mermaids and their kin is reflected in the myriad stories about them.
Odysseus at sea must resist the sirens’ song. There are sea serpents from North America and selkies from Scotland. And from shores across the globe, humble fishermen and princes alike fall in love with mermaids in stories from Germany to Japan by way of Denmark with the famous story of The Little Mermaid.
Mermaids, Sirens and Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
For more myths from Jean Menzies, Fairies, Elves and Sprites is also available.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 2, 2025
lovely mix of sea folklore, i’ve never read the little mermaid before a lot sadder than i thought it would be :( loved the mermaid wife a lot too!
August 2, 2025
Jean Menzies edits Mermaids, Sirens, and Selkies in the most bizarre way—to the point in which this collection cheapens Macmillan’s rich and respected history.
Given, I had expected more historical context surrounding respective countries beliefs in sea-maidens as opposed to what this collection offers: curated fables and fairy tales centering sea creatures. That being said, the later would have sufficed had it not been for Menzies’ introductions to each tale. The introductions last 300 words at most, and read as if the teleprompter for a presenter at the Kids Choice Awards. Most introductions begin with a version of “you may not know, but…” or “perhaps you are unfamiliar with…” and then ends with “but surprise, surprise,” or “you guessed it: a mermaid”.
I feel insulted that this ever made it to print, and I’m left confused by what demographic this collection was meant for. Historically, Macmillan Collector’s Library editions are meant for serious literary enthusiasts… so why Menzies would use her limited word count to explicitly presume readers hadn’t heard of the Brothers Grimm is beyond me. Either PhD Jean Menzies is a bad writer, or more likely, this was made with AI involvement.
Given, I had expected more historical context surrounding respective countries beliefs in sea-maidens as opposed to what this collection offers: curated fables and fairy tales centering sea creatures. That being said, the later would have sufficed had it not been for Menzies’ introductions to each tale. The introductions last 300 words at most, and read as if the teleprompter for a presenter at the Kids Choice Awards. Most introductions begin with a version of “you may not know, but…” or “perhaps you are unfamiliar with…” and then ends with “but surprise, surprise,” or “you guessed it: a mermaid”.
I feel insulted that this ever made it to print, and I’m left confused by what demographic this collection was meant for. Historically, Macmillan Collector’s Library editions are meant for serious literary enthusiasts… so why Menzies would use her limited word count to explicitly presume readers hadn’t heard of the Brothers Grimm is beyond me. Either PhD Jean Menzies is a bad writer, or more likely, this was made with AI involvement.
April 16, 2026
I really, really wanted to like this book. I've loved mermaids and nautical folklore since I was a kid, but this was not well written. Menzies writes a short introduction to each story that is impertinent and attempts to be funny when the stories do not reflect that tone.
While I realize that most, if not all, of these tales have been translated from their original languages and passed down through generations, I do not see this as an excuse for how badly the stories are related to the reader. It honestly feels like Menzies read a bunch of amateur blog articles about mermaid folklore and is telling them to you as best she can remember them. The language is informal and choppy, but I've read plenty of translated folklore and this really missed the mark. I understand the desire to stay as true as possible to the source material, but these stories are undoubtedly richer in their original languages and by attempting 1:1 translations, a lot of the depth and beauty is lost.
This also doesn't read like an ethnography or exploration of folklore and its origins or morals as they pertain to their respective cultures, which would've been another enjoyable version of this book to read. But it fails to be educational in an anthropological/historical sense, and the stories are not told in a way that's enjoyable to read either, so the book is kind of pointless unless you, too, want to be able to summarize the contents of blog posts about mermaids to your friends and family.
While I realize that most, if not all, of these tales have been translated from their original languages and passed down through generations, I do not see this as an excuse for how badly the stories are related to the reader. It honestly feels like Menzies read a bunch of amateur blog articles about mermaid folklore and is telling them to you as best she can remember them. The language is informal and choppy, but I've read plenty of translated folklore and this really missed the mark. I understand the desire to stay as true as possible to the source material, but these stories are undoubtedly richer in their original languages and by attempting 1:1 translations, a lot of the depth and beauty is lost.
This also doesn't read like an ethnography or exploration of folklore and its origins or morals as they pertain to their respective cultures, which would've been another enjoyable version of this book to read. But it fails to be educational in an anthropological/historical sense, and the stories are not told in a way that's enjoyable to read either, so the book is kind of pointless unless you, too, want to be able to summarize the contents of blog posts about mermaids to your friends and family.
August 5, 2025
this collection of stories was so sweet, i especially loved the little mermaid. so many amazing myths and tales from so many different places! however, i didn’t really love the narration from the editor.
February 8, 2026
Lovely mix of different countries and cultures! Hawaiian, Scottish, Swedish, e.t.c….
It was fun for me to read folklores I had already known faintly and it was a different read to what I usually read!
Some of them are nicely tied to certain cultures explanations of why things happen, which I also find fun to read.
It was fun for me to read folklores I had already known faintly and it was a different read to what I usually read!
Some of them are nicely tied to certain cultures explanations of why things happen, which I also find fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews