August 28, 2007

A Fishy Tale

“Swim to Me,” by Betsy Carter

Mermaids have everything (sexy beach hair, gadgets and gizmos aplenty, Tom Hanks). Yet they always seem to want more.

And Delores Walker — heroine of Betsy Carter’s new coming-of-age novel, Swim to Me — is no different.

The plucky, likable teen leaves her dysfunctional home in the Bronx to become a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs (a kitschy tourist attraction in Florida), where she reinvents herself as Delores Taurus, star of the underwater show, weather girl extraordinaire, and celebrated hero.

Her journey to fame is sprinkled with eccentric characters, from her pimply merman crush and born-again, preggers roommate to the has-been mermaid matriarch and sleazy TV producer — culminating in her family’s absurdly endearing reunion.

Carter’s genius storytelling makes it a delightful escape.

Come hell or high water.

Available online at amazon.com or your local bookstore.