A huge novel in the modish genre of bolting modern themes into a historic period; in this case late 18th century London.
Mr Hancock is a merchant with ships in (I assume) the Far East; the future Mrs Hancock begins the book as a beautiful prostitute. The world of brothels and of slightly puritanical mercantile middle class collide as one of his sea captains returns from a voyage with a mermaid, which is exhibited in the London coffee houses, and then appropriated by a madam as the centrepiece for one of her sex parties. Lots of marks for difference and novelty and very enjoyable, but I am a little unclear about the point or underlying theme/intention.
Commentaires