Part 1: Debbie Viguié explores 'The Little Mermaid' in 'Midnight Pearls'

The Little Mermaid is a favorite, popular fairy tale written by the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. However, it is one of his most tragic and vulnerable creations, a love story as heartbreaking as it is sweet. Happily, there is a new version of this poignant story in Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié. Of course, the plot has been deepened until you can only see a vague outline of The Little Mermaid—Midnight Pearls is a fairy tale in its own right. Nevertheless, mermaids and mermen are featured in great detail together with the famous (or infamous) prince and, of course, the little mermaid herself.

Finally, the main characters have names and defined characteristics. Pearl is the little mermaid, and her physical description matches her name perfectly. She has a different reason for being on land instead of under the sea, although the author creates a mystery on the spot by Pearl's ignorance of that reason. Pearl has had an identity crisis all her life, ever since she was rescued by her adoptive parents. The way she is treated by the villagers only contributes to her sense of feeling lost. Pearl feels very human, and yet, she feels that she is not. Afraid of the sea and afraid of the land, she doesn't know where she belongs. In spite of that, she is still a typical teenager in the midst of a changing relationship with her best friend, the prince. That is exactly where Midnight Pearls picks up and becomes even more interesting.

To be continued...

Midnight Pearls is available in local libraries and bookstores in Fresno, and online.