The Mermaid's Tale

If the mermaid decides not to return to the sea but ventures onto land instead, she might discover how to balance on two feet. She could even master the art of dance.In her early thirties, Summer leads a solitary life, unemployed and with minimal material desires. Her sole passion lies in dancing, specifically ballroom dancing. She faces a unique challenge: having begun too late to compete professionally but taking her hobby much too earnestly for it to be just a recreation. Her solitary lifestyle presents another hurdle, as ballroom dancing is a social affair, adhering to the strict norm of "men lead, women follow."Guided by the renowned Donny, Summer sets off on a self-discovery journey, importantly seeking the ideal dance partner. Her journey is marred by disappointment as she encounters vibrant personalities in the ballroom: the self-assured young Youlin from a prestigious dancing family, the gifted Grace who yearns for a simple life, and the small but fierce Meixin, perpetually in conflict with her fiancé and dance partner. Among them is Donny, a passionate gay dancer, as dedicated to tradition as many of his straight peers.Throughout her quest for the perfect partner, Summer must face haunting memories from her past: the derogatory judgments from her controlling mother, her cousin's suicide attempt, and the shame of an intimate encounter with a classmate. She dreams of an idealized dancing physique while wrestling with her own sense of sexuality."The Mermaid's Tale" unfolds as a novel akin to a captivating solo dance. It draws parallels with the exploration of femininity found in "The Vegetarian" and the intense world depicted in "Black Swan," yet narrates the story with a lighter, more ethereal tone that is both whimsical and enchanting. Despite being penned during the author's darkest times, the novel celebrates life and liberation.