A Book of Mermaids (1974)

Ruth Manning-Sanders collection of tales of mermaids from around the world

Author

Ruth Manning-Sanders, illustrated by Robin Jacques

Publisher

Methuen Children's Books, London, 1974

Printing Details

First edition, fourth printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 24 × 16.5cm, 128pp

Stories about mermaids come from almost every country by the sea—from Iceland to India; America to Arabia. Most mermaids have flowing golden hair, long graceful tails, and a beauty that lures men to the bottom of the sea. Sven, in the Danish story, "Sven and Lilli," followed Lilli to her ocean home, where "they live happily. And there, in their domed house under the sea, so people say, they are living still."

But not all mermaids are beautiful, and some are unchancy creatures indeed. There is a mermaid in the Irish tale, "The Magic Lake," who has "pig's eyes and wolf's teeth, and a mouth…grinning from ear to ear." And the beautiful mermaid Groach, in the Breton story, "The Groach of the Isle of Lok," casts a spell over handsome young men, marries them, and then turns them into rainbow-colored fish.

In these sixteen stories Ruth Manning-Sanders captures the quicksilver personalities of mermaids and mermen as she tells of their marvellous schemes and adventures.

Condition

The book itself is in excellent condition. The dustwrapper has a little light wear to the top edge but is clean and in very good shape, and has not been price-clipped.