violetpeanut
Written on Nov 10, 2012
Marissa has recently broken up with her cheating live-in boyfriend, has crazy parents, and has other issues from her past which become important as the story progresses. Trying to escape her life for a few minutes, she takes a trip to the beach and falls asleep. As the tide comes in, she is swept out to sea, pulled by a strong undertow, becomes trapped under some debris, and almost dies. Marissa becomes obsessed with the idea that a merman - or some other similar creature - has saved her.
What follows in the rest of the book is a fascinating journey into Marissa's mind. Is she forever broken by the events in her past or can she find peace? Was the creature real or was it a desperate attempt by her mind to latch onto something better for herself?
I was hooked right away. I liked Marissa and felt sympathetic towards her and her situation with her boyfriend and parents. Her relationship with her best friend and her new college roommate felt authentic. As I got a little further along, there were changes in Marissa's personality and behavior. At first I was a little thrown off by this and thought What the hell is going on with this girl? I started to dislike the character a little bit. And then the full extent of Marissa's reality emerges. All becomes painfully clear.
I am reluctant to say too much because I don't want to give anything away but I found this book really fascinating. Now, I've never known anyone personally with the same issues that Marissa has so I cannot speak to the medical authenticity of the issues. However, Marissa's descent into psychosis was absolutely compelling. It was like a car wreck - horrible but I just could not look away. I loved the ending! Some might be disappointed because the author leaves things a little bit open to interpretation. I think it's that little extra something that earns this book it's fourth star.
Recommended for older teens - 16+ at least! - and adults that love realistic fiction.