The Mermaid Handbook: Perfect for Mermaid Lovers, Writers, and Book Connoisseurs!

Love fairy tales and mythology?
Fans of mermaids, dragons, unicorns, and other mythical creatures?
Enjoy when a beloved classic tale is retold?
A Twist in the Tail Thursdays features all this and more!

THE MERMAID HANDBOOK: An Alluring Treasury of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes and Projects  by Carolyn Turgeon and the Editors of Faerie Magazine is lush and gorgeous and the perfect addition to any home library! There's also a FAERIE HANDBOOK that recently came out, which I reviewed here and did a video review for here!

Turgeon has also written books that blend fairy tales and lore into original novels. I adore the psychological twists in GODMOTHER, the twist of Rapunzel growing up to be Snow White's evil stepmother in FAIREST OF THEM ALL (Turgeon also stopped by with a great guest post about the title upon its release), and the fact that in MERMAID, you get the perspectives of both the mermaid AND the convent princess from Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid, which you almost never see. She has also written THE NEXT FULL MOON for younger readers, about the daughter of the Swan Maiden, as well as the original novel RAIN VILLAGE (Though it has an almost Thumbelina flair to it). You can also check out an interview with Turgeon here!

This book is so insanely gorgeous; it is a work of art in and of itself.  It makes a perfect gift for mermaid lovers, writers, and even bookstagrammers or book connoisseurs who just want this lovely beauty on a shelf where it belongs!

The cover is cloth and a beautiful ocean blue, etched with gold writing. There are gold-gilded pages and the endpapers are a beautiful splash seafoam. There's even a delicate, sea-splashed ribbon bookmark inside. The pages are made with thick, heavy paper that won't bend or tear easily. Holding the book instantly feels luxurious and takes you to a fantasy world. I personally adore books with that "old-fashioned" look. I collect the Barnes and Noble leather-bound books like they're going out of style. There's something about this style that really appeals to me.

THE MERMAID HANDBOOK is broken down into sections contain information, tips, and stories about Fashion and Beauty, Arts and Culture, Real Mermaids and Where to Find Them, Food, Entertaining, and Stories of the Sea. There are more literary sections that appeal to older readers, as well as fun whimsy that will encourage even children to dive in. There are gorgeous images that take up entire pages or even two-page spreads. There are fun tips and tricks for mermaid lovers, for families with children, and for serious crafters. There is a mix of history, lore, and fun, and the book is a treasure for anyone who adores mermaids or wants to learn more about them. From well known mermaids such as The Little Mermaid and Madison from Splash to lesser-known lore compiled from around the world and information about finfolk, kelpies, ningyo,  rusalki, and more, there are tons of references new and old. Every page is a new discovery, for both casual fans and mermaid experts alike!

Here is a video showing you a more in-depth look at this beautiful book:

YouTube Link

Isn't it fantastic? This book is just so, so beautiful and well put-together!

I'm an instant fan and this is already a treasured addition to my collection!

~*~

O F F I C I A L   I N F O:

Title:  THE MERMAID HANDBOOK
Author: Carolyn Turgeon 

Release Date: May 15, 2018

Publisher: Harper Design
Received:  For Review

SUMMARY:

Answer the enchanting siren call of the mermaid with this comprehensive, lavishly illustrated and intricately designed one-of-a-kind lifestyle compendium from the editor in chief of Faerie Magazine and author of The Faerie Handbook and globally published novel Mermaid, packed with lore, legends, facts and trivia, beautiful illustrations, and numerous step-by-step projects and recipes. 

Beautiful, seductive, mysterious, and potentially dangerous, the mermaid is a global literary and pop culture icon whose roots date back to ancient sea goddesses and Greek mythology. From Homer’s Odyssey and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Little Mermaid to T.S. Eliot’s "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and the Disney animated film The Little Mermaid, this sea vixen has long seduced popular imagination. Cosmetic companies have drawn inspiration for their makeup lines from mermaids, as have designers throughout fashion history, from Jean Patou to Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen. The fishtail dress is a perennial long red-carpet staple, favored by the likes of Marion Cotillard, Sofia Vergara, and Blake Lively. 

Divided into four sections—Fashion and Beauty; Arts and Culture; Real Mermaids and Where to Find Them; and Food, Entertaining and Stories of the Sea—The Mermaid Handbook is a unique and sumptuous compilation filled with creative ideas for decorating and living inspired by these beauties from the deep. Learn to make a sailor’s valentine; a mermaid comb and crown; and a pearl and sequin paillette necklace. There are recipes for mermaid-themed poke bowls, aquatic-themed honey gingerbread cookies, and the official cocktail of the 1960s-era mermaid attraction Aquarama. 

Folklore expert Carolyn Turgeon also includes profiles of true modern mermaids, tail makers, and mermaid bars; visits mermaid attractions like Weeki Wachee Springs; and provides tips on getting beachy mermaid hair and creating an alluring eye.