The Mermaid of Black Conch

Monique Roffey’s award-winning novel blends myth, history, and sensuality in a story about a mermaid pulled from the sea and taken captive by fishermen. Set on a Caribbean island, the book explores colonial legacy, gender violence, and the yearning for transformation. Roffey’s writing is lush and lyrical, immersing readers in a world where magic coexists with social realism. The novel’s political undercurrents — about who is objectified, who is silenced, and who gets to be free — are woven seamlessly into its narrative. It is imaginative, daring, and deeply emotional.