51 pages • 1 hour read
Barbara O'NealWhen We Believed in Mermaids: A Novel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal, Dr. Kit Bianci travels to New Zealand upon seeing a woman resembling her sister Josie on TV 15 years after Josie's reported death. As Kit searches for her sister, she reconnects with her past, explores her relationship with a man named Javier, and uncovers secrets involving her sister, who now goes by Mari. Sensitive topics include child sexual assault, addiction, and neglect.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal is praised for its compelling storytelling and richly drawn characters. Readers appreciate the vivid setting and emotional depth, though some find the plot predictable and dialogue occasionally clichéd. Overall, it's regarded as an engaging and heartfelt read, balancing themes of trauma, family, and redemption effectively.
Who Should Read When We Believed in Mermaids?
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal appeals to readers who enjoy emotionally charged family dramas and complex character relationships. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things will appreciate O'Neal's nuanced exploration of sisterhood and healing from past traumas.