The Mermaid's Child [Paperback]

In this fantastical novel, the acclaimed author ofLongbournbrings us the magical story of a young girl in search of her mother...who just might be a mermaid. Malin has always been different, and when her father dies, leaving her alone, her choice is clear: stay, and remain an outsider forever, or leave in search of the mythical inheritance she is certain awaits her. Apprenticed to a series of strange and wonderful characters, Malin embarks on a grueling journey that crosses oceans and continents—from the high seas to desert plains—and leads to a discovery that she could never have expected. Beautifully written and hauntingly strange,The Mermaid’s Childis a remarkable piece of storytelling, and an utterly unique work of fantasy from literary star Jo Baker.Praise forThe Mermaid's Childand Jo Baker:

Malin Reed, the tough, lonely, adventurous heroine of Jo Baker's novel, has never known her mother, but her dad insists she was a mermaid. . . . Baker's writing seduces as she recounts Malin's outlandish journey, which takes her from the crew of a slave ship, through the desert with a broken-down circus to becoming adrift in the ocean with an ancient scholar, all the while remaining on the lookout for a glimpse of her missing parent. —OprahMagazine

“Like Sarah, the spirited maid at the heart ofLongbourn,Malin is a strong, determined heroine who persists in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Readers won’t have any difficulty rooting for her. —Booklist

“Baker is a novelist with a gift for intimate and atmospheric storytelling.” —Financial Times

Some writers let you know that you're in safe hands from the start, and Jo Baker is one of them. —The Independent

 Jo Baker was born in Lancashire and educated at Oxford University and Queen’s University Belfast. She is the author ofLongbourn,