The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock

By: Imogen Hermes Gowar

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar, read by Juliet Stevenson.

This voyage is special. It will change everything....

One September evening in 1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock hears urgent knocking on his front door. One of his captains is waiting eagerly on the step. He has sold Jonah's ship for what appears to be a mermaid.

As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock's marvel. Its arrival spins him out of his ordinary existence and through the doors of high society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of Angelica Neal, the most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on...and a courtesan of great accomplishment. This meeting will steer both their lives onto a dangerous new course - one on which they will learn that priceless things come at the greatest cost.

What will be the cost of their ambitions? And will they be able to escape the destructive power mermaids are said to possess?

In this spellbinding story of curiosity and obsession, Imogen Hermes Gowar has created an unforgettable jewel of a novel, filled to the brim with intelligence, heart and wit.

©2018 Imogen Hermes Gowar (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A cracking historical novel... The story is by turns intriguing, touching, funny, sad and heartwarming. It will make you laugh and it may make you cry.... The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock is superb." ( The Times)

"A marvellous, high-energy, inventive romp through Georgian society. Rich in delicious period detail and written with a wickedly observant eye, the path of this unlikely romance leads down some unexpected byways to give a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable reading treat." ( Daily Mail)

Loved it

Really enjoyed it, fantastic story telling, bit of a weak ending but will remember this one for a while.

Interesting, but underdeveloped

I think the story is very original and certainly had a lot of potential. I enjoyed listening to it. However at the end I found the plot lacking... To me, the novel resembled a set of scenes rather than a well composed story. Some character arcs were not developed enough, and in the end, seemed pointless. What bothered me the most though, was that I did not find a common thought or "key message" that would tie this book together. I just failed to see what kind of point the Author is trying to make with her book. It had a great potential to be a bit philosopbical and unsettling, to offer us a hidden level on interpretation or a bold point of view. We are, however, left with a novel that, albeit enjoyable, lacks character and fails to make a statement.

Highly recommend

A beautifully written novel made all the more exquisite by the voice of Juliet Stevenson.... highly recommend.

Stunning!

Absolutely loved this book. 5 stars all around! Unexpectedly and breathtakingly beautiful and hilarious. Would highly recommend!

Entertaining but a bit of an anti climax

I am a huge fan of the narrator who reads so beautifully - I found the story engaging but the last chapter seemed rushed and somewhat unbelievable in the context of the whole story - enjoyed the book but disappointed in the end