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Preview
  • The Surface Breaks

  • A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid
  • By: Louise O'Neill
  • Narrated by: Amy Shiels
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

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The Surface Breaks

By: Louise O'Neill
Narrated by: Amy Shiels
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Summary

A dark and beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid.

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice?

Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans in the UK. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.

©2019 Louise O’Neill (P)2019 Scholastic Inc.
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What listeners say about The Surface Breaks

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dark but beautiful

A retelling with such intricate detail. Vivid and compelling, this was a story not just for YAs but for women to stand true in their real selves and enjoy who they are.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved this retelling of the little mermaid

I absolutely adore this retelling, darker and it had me gripped from the first few minuets. I wouldn’t say it’s a feminist story, more a story of a someone so oppressed and unhappy she grasps for anyway to change her situation.
Love this so much I listened too it twice with in a week. If your a fan of the original little mermaid I think you would really enjoy this story.
Great narration this is one of the reasons I could stop listening to the story. Over all so glad I bought this audio book and added it to my collection.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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So relevant! I didn’t want it to end!

I loved it! My imagination ran wild, I definitely loved this version of the Little Mermaid and would love to listen to a sequel. Sewing up the worlds of the Russalka and Mermaid together nicely, touching on relevant subjects on being a women, and will be listening to it again and again. Strong women, inspiring to all!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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disappointed

it was boring the story was going no where. struggled listening to it. very disappointed

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