the Mermaid of Black Conch: spellbinding winner Costa Book Year as read on BBC Radio 4

Escape to the ocean with the entrancing, unforgettable winner of the Costa Book of the Year – as read on BBC Radio 4. ‘A daring, mesmerising novel… A modern myth’ Maggie O’Farrell, author of HAMNET‘Not your standard mermaid’ Margaret Atwood, author of THE HANDMAID’S TALENear the island of Black Conch, a fisherman sings to himself while waiting for a catch. But David attracts a sea-dweller that he never expected – Aycayia, an innocent young woman cursed by jealous wives to live as a mermaid. When American tourists capture Aycayia, David rescues her and vows to win her trust. Slowly, painfully, she transforms into a woman again. Yet as their love grows, they discover that the world around them is changing – and they cannot escape the curse for ever… ‘Bighearted… A world that it is a pleasure to live inside’ New York Times‘Sensuous, beguiling, wondrous… A striking achievement’ Sunday Times‘A fiercely modern mermaid story’ The Times‘A unique talent’ Bernardine Evaristo, author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER‘Gorgeous… I was enthralled, enchanted and moved’ 5-star reader review‘A tale of love, the sea and a mermaid… Perfection’ 5-star reader review