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The Seas

By: Samantha Hunt, Maggie Nelson - introduction
Narrated by: Samantha Hunt
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Summary

Moored in a coastal fishing town so far north that the highways only run south, the unnamed narrator of The Seas is a misfit. She's often the subject of cruel local gossip. Her father, a sailor, walked into the ocean 11 years earlier and never returned, leaving his wife and daughter to keep a forlorn vigil. Surrounded by water and beckoned by the sea, she clings to what her father once told her: that she is a mermaid.

True to myth, she finds herself in hard love with a land-bound man, an Iraq War veteran 13 years her senior. The mesmerizing, fevered coming-of-age tale that follows will land her in jail. Her otherworldly escape will become the stuff of legend.

With the inventive brilliance and psychological insight that have earned her international acclaim, Samantha Hunt pulls listeners into an undertow of impossible love and intoxication, blurring the lines between reality and fairy tale, hope and delusion, sanity and madness.

©2004 Samantha Hunt (P)2019 Tantor
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What listeners say about The Seas

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  • Overall
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Surprising and special

Without knowing anything about this book or the author I have it a go and it’s a rare gem. The most interesting exploration of mental ‘illness’ I’ve ever encountered and a really beautiful, magical tale that will definitely stay with me.

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

Utterly superb

Picked this on a total whim and loved every second. The writing is just beautiful.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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such a stunning book

This book is so beautifully written and read. I hadn't heard of the author before and took a leap of faith.

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

Bittersweet Perfection

I will write more later, but for now, this book is exquisite in its beautiful broken melancholy and bittersweet sad girl apotheosis.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I’m uneducated in mental health

I struggled with this book but I think it’s more my own lack of understanding. I found it confusing but I suppose that’s the point. I do appreciate the beautiful way in which it was written and performed and I’m happy I listened. I don’t think I understand mental health anymore but maybe feel more aware.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Strange and beautiful

I feel this book is a real gem that I’m so glad to have discovered. I felt i didn’t always understand but that’s what made it so special, it made me think and consider things in new ways. The story is bittersweet, romantic and tragic. I already know i will listen to it again one day

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Really hard to sink into

Found this really hard to engage with, I enjoyed the prose but I felt it was really disconnected and it almost felt like the mental health issue was bothering me whilst I was listening to it. Saw it out to the end but would not listen again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully Written

Exquisite language use and a very beautiful story. Perfectly narrated by the Author. Highly Recommended book

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Such an unusual but truly beautiful story. The way it’s written, the language used and imagery it projects - just stunning!

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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

Wow. What a frank and honest story. Loved it.

This was free from Audible membership. It was a fantastic short title to listen to in one sitting. I loved it from the get go. I especially loved the author narrating it and she really made the book pop. I’m sorry I can’t find anymore by the same author but will certainly look out for more in the future. This was a well deserving 5 stars if not more. Not my usual type of listen but I’m so glad I did.

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