I knew as soon as I started reading this book that I was going to enjoy it immensely. Librarians, carnivals, women who swim as mermaids, tarot cards, an old family curse, what's not to like?
The main character in the story, Simon, is a librarian who lives in a house on Long Island that is ready to fall off of a bluff into the sea. The house is literally falling apart around him. He is concerned about his sister, Enola, who seems fragile and not altogether stable. Simon and Enola's mother drowned herself, even though she could hold her breath underwater for ten minutes and she swam as a professional mermaid
Simon receives a mysterious book from Mr. Churchwarry - a book that tells the history of a traveling carnival. Also, he discovers through reading the book that his grandmother, Verona Bonn, died from drowning on July 24th - the exact same date as his mother died. July 24th is coming up soon, and his sister, Enola, keeps getting the same mysterious reading from her tarot cards - could this have anything to do with the family curse?
The book also has a second story in it; the story describes what happens to Simon and Enola's ancestor, Evangeline. The curse starts with her. This story is equally as fascinating as the first as it chronicles the day to day life of a traveling carnival.
My only complaint is that the characters seem more typecast rather than three-dimensional. It is hard to understand some of their motives and why they do the things that they do. But if you can suspend your disbelief, you are in for a wonderful experience with a fascinating tale!
For those of you interested in women who really do swim like mermaids, be sure to check out Weeki Wachee mermaids
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