Review by Kelly Jarvis: Becoming Leidah by Michelle Grierson

Michelle Grierson takes the legend of the selkie bride to new heights in her stunning novel Becoming Leidah. This story, set in 19^th century Norway, will grip your heart as you follow the tale of a fisherman who finds a selkie woman along the shore, marries her, and raises a child with blue webbed hands and feet. Pieter and Maeva do everything they can to hide the child’s peculiarities from the suspicious townsfolk, but as Leidah grows and begins to tap into her shapeshifting powers, themes of love entrapment, protection, and freedom all crescendo toward explosion.

In addition to addressing the selkie bride legend, Grierson explores Nordic mythology and witchcraft, adding layers of complexity to her striking narrative. A mysterious shapeshifter lurks in the background, following mother and daughter as they hunt for their hidden seal skin. The ghost of the midwife who delivered Leidah lingers on the earthly plane to offer the child protection. The woman who loved Pieter before he claimed Maeva on the shore conspires to separate the family once and for all, and behind it all are the Norns, the three ancient sisters who weave, hold, and cut the red thread of life. Grierson’s story is a masterpiece in narratology, presenting alternating timelines and different points of view that keep readers interested and invested in the plot. The book moves toward an ambiguous conclusion that leaves readers thinking long after they close the cover.

Becoming Leidah is a mesmerizing tale about time and the way the past informs and shapes the future. If you enjoy mythology, folklore, and family drama, you will love this haunting book. This take on the selkie bride tale was recommended to me by a friend, and I eagerly pass that recommendation on to you! You can find it here,

Kelly Jarvis works as the Contributing Writer for The Fairy Tale Magazine and teaches writing and literature at Central Connecticut State University. Her work has been featured in A Moon of One’s Own, Blue Heron Review, Corvid Queen, Eternal Haunted Summer, Mermaids Monthly, The Chamber Magazine, The Magic of Us, and Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers. Her debut novella, Selkie Moon, was released in 2025. You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/