Yesterday We Saw Mermaids (Tor) [Hardcover]

Esther M. Friesner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tor | Publication Date: October 1992

A boatload of nuns--fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in 1492--discovers a New World unlike any other and enters the kingdom of Prester John, only to be washed away with the rest of the mermaids they find there.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- Ana hadn't wanted to go to the convent, and once there, she certainly hadn't intended to sail from Spain with a strange crew on a voyage to the unknown in 1492. She finds herself aboard ship with a gypsy, a princess, a Jewess, assorted nuns, a priest, and even a genie in a jar. Ana has been appointed scribe for this weird and wonderful cruise by the genie, and describes her adventures as they occur, with a few trips back in time to explain how this motley crew was gathered--mostly by accident as it turns out. Their mission, apparently, is to arrive in the New World before the "man from Genoa" manages to ruin the indigenous population. This population is ruled over by Prester John and consists of assorted mythical and magical creatures, and really does seem to need help in facing the "real world." Slight in both size and content, this fantasy should attract reluctant readers and lovers of the magical. It is easy to read, and the characters are well drawn.
- Susan H. Woodcock, Potomac Library, Woodbridge, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312853521
• ISBN-13: 978-0312853525
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,544,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars C+/B- Nuns, Gypsy, Muslim, and Jew voyage to New World, July 14, 2011

By 

Anna D. Allen (Ada, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yesterday We Saw Mermaids (Tor Fantasy) (Paperback)

This novel had a fascinating set up-- a gypsy, a Muslim princess, a Jewish girl, and a group of nuns race to the New World in 1492 ahead of Columbus. Their mode of transportation is magic, and they are endeavoring to save the magical world of Prestor John.

Of course, as Yesterday We Saw Mermaids is not an alternative history novel, we all know what happens. But the telling of this tale is compelling and ends with a sparkle of hope.

It is written in first person from the POV of one of the nuns and is her recordings of their journey. The title is derived from a real line in Columbus's log book, only in Yesterday We Saw Mermaids, they are real mermaids.

I had too great an expectation with this novel. As a result, I found it "okay" (as Amazon defines 3 stars).