I am in the minority here. Which is rather unpleasant, I tell you. I was ready to adore this short story with all my heart because MERMAIDS and THAT title is like literal #goals. MEN WHO WISH TO DROWN is written in letter-form. A very old man talks to his great-grandson about his biggest regret in life. (Which includes poor decision making, settling for the ordinary and tears of melancholia.)

This was kind of a love story. Or the moments before a love story. Or something that could've been a love story if he would've just trusted his instincts. (Which is his own fault. He knows that. Now.) Resolved (yes, that is his name) is someone I did not like. He lived a life half-empty, kept thinking about the past after he had already made his decision and it made me angry. (Very angry).

Spoiler

I was incredibly mad at his thoughts about his good wife and his great children because he never really tried to forget the mermaid, Syrenka. He choose to trust the 'sea witch' and her 'vision' and moved on but he didn't really move on, no. He idolized his five/six days with the mermaid and kept thinking about the 'what if' and how he 'loved' her. LIKE BOY PLEASE. No. If you think you love her, then choose her. If you don't choose her, move. on.

(Very angry like I said lol.) Also, the romance did nothin for me. (Oops.) WHICH IS SAD. I LOVE THE COVER AND THE TITLE BUT NOT THE STORY ITSELF. (Not at all.)

I read the short story here: http://www.tor.com/2012/08/29/men-who-wish-to-drown/?et_cid=29448600&et_rid=1476579741&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.tor.com%2fstories%2f2012%2f08%2fmen-who-wish-to-drown and I'll continue to read more short stories on there in the next week. (Because. Free. Short. Stories. I'm hooked.)