The Mermaid of Black Conch

Set on a Caribbean Island in the seventies, this bittersweet romance is more than meets the eye. The sentimental plot-line is neatly woven into a tapestry of slavery, racism and power, portrayed through strong character development; whipped up into a love story by the untamed wilderness. The tale begins with David, a local fisherman, befriending a mermaid by way of playing his guitar. Unfortunately, this is swiftly followed up by some not-so-nice fishermen hunting her down, and the story unfolds from there. It’s a passionate tale, buoyant with lust and jealousy. The characters have depth and development, and the mythical aspect often serves as a smart device for deeper reflection on societal shifts, especially around women.

Later I saw that change came as change always comes, from a chain of events with a long history, too long to see from back to front, till it come.

Interracial relationships, island life post-colonialism, absent fathers, corrupt law enforcement, language, disability and acceptance are all key themes in this multi-layered book. Whilst it does follow this archetypal story of outsider disrupts community life and reveals it’s deeper flaws, it also brings with it the more unusual element of historical comparison. The style of writing also makes for a more immerse experience, with Aycayia’s section written in stanzas, David’s in journaled prose.

It’s quite a short novel, I read it in a couple of hours - I’d highly recommend it for an easier, satisfying romantic fiction that’s more quirky and soulful than boy-meets-girl.

CW: Suicide