The Mermaid's Tale is a depressing yet hopeful tale of Summer and her hopes and dreams in becoming a dancer. At the age of 30, she was in between jobs, and in no way of hopes to continue her path in dancing again. However, this tale, in its monotonous way, had struck a chord within me. It was melancholic and depressing, yet , the relatability of the characters and the mid-life crisis that she had going on along with her traumatic past that shaped her as the adult that she is, made the book just one that I will remember for a very long time.

Personal Ratings : 4🌟

This was the last book written by the author before she died of cancer, and in some ways, based on the translators note, the note of melancholy comes from the darkest days of her life, hence why the novel, albeit short, is packed with so much emotions. Summer has not had it easy when she was younger and the issues of body dysphoria comes in every part of her life as her mother gaslights her extremely on her body weight. I particularly LOATHED her mother in here, and I hated how she had made Summer doubt herself and had to somewhat survive on her own. The role of parents and especially the generational trauma that is inflicted in Asian Families had been shown in this book, which led to their children growing up becoming adults that may or may not have some midlife-crisis crashing down at a phase of their life. There is a fine line between tough love and inflicting trauma on your child, and Summer is an example of an adult who was traumatized growing up to a point that she finds herself hard to love or even appreciate what she loves.

I honestly appreciate the dancing elements in this book. Whilst I'm no dancer, I've enjoyed watching and appreciating the art, therefore, the explanations of the author for the art is not only beautiful but it has its own sort of flair. Dancing for Summer is both a blessing and a curse, and the inner conflict that she had with these feelings makes the story one that makes you smile at some parts but also showing behind the scenes on the life of a professional dancer. The author had also frequently used metaphors on the art of dancing to intimacy, relationships and the exploration of sexuality. There's a certain subtleness in her writing that makes this book both a read that makes me sad but also makes me happy at the same time.

An intriguing read and one that I had finished in one seating. There is a certain extent where reality and metaphors collides in the book, but it also makes a read that is worthwhile to pick up.

Biggest thanks to Pansing (@definitelybooks) for this copy!