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The Pisces: A Novel https://g.co/kgs/GBaiQU
I read this book some years ago. But I thought of it as a good recommendation for this group after reading that thread on the problem that is central message of The Little Mermaid.
This book essentially turns TLM on its head. It's told from the perspective of an older woman (mid 30s) unlucky in love and in her profession. She is licking her wounds at the home of her wealthy sister, and is pursued by a merman.
It's a very adult book. The main character is trying to find empowerment through this liberal feminist fantasy of "being in control of her sexuality" or whatever that means. She is not a great person, or a particularly responsible person. She is basically kicked around by men throughout the book, and continually seems to be trying to "take back her power" somehow through these empty gestures of performing femininity and sex.
Her relationship with the merman is such an interesting component of this, because he's a literal fantasy-- attentive, loving, everything women want from a real man that you can never find. And spoiler
The ending may be unsatisfactory to some, but spoiler
This book was a bit shocking in terms of its explicit sex scenes for me, but I think so honest about how those sorts of liaisons go. Very honest portrayal of what it's like to deal with real men as a heterosexual woman. I think of it often and I probably read it 5+ years ago? Maybe not that long, but several years. I do recommend this book, as I feel it does have a radfemmy message.
I read and enjoyed the book, but I feel that this description is a distortion to try to emphasise parts of its themes that fit a predetermined notion of feminist messaging. There are feminist elements of it, true, but ....
It's centered around an examination of the protagonist's depression and her impotent attempts to feel better. I wouldn't even say attempt to recover, because she is in the grips of such disordered thinking that she doesn't really commit to pursuing anything truly healthy. Many of her attempts are centered around pursuing toxic sexual relationships, but her ultimate issue is with herself. She has her sister's dog, you know, which she does feel uncomplicated love for ... but she's such a messed up person that she ruins that relationship. She's looking for escape, and the merman offers her an idea of escape, but escape isn't actually what she needs.
You're right that it's a gripping and worthwhile read (and I loved how gross the sexual content was), but it's not at all didactic, and the idea that a baby will give you fulfillment is just your projection onto the text.
Yeah maybe so. It's been years so there may be some revisionism on my part due to just the lens of memory.
I like the point that she comes to realize the merman’s love is predatory. Less like the whole “OnLy ChIlDrEn MaKe YoU cOmPlEtE/lOvE yOu!” idea. Hard pass on both tbh.
Oh, those children grow up and leave. Not what you thought you'd signed up for, in the end.