Reviews

The Mercy Seat by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop

stephaniejnl's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bibliobethica's review

5.0

Phenomenal writing. Each chapter's narrative seamlessly slips into the next, drawing the reader into the story more and more. This book looks at the unjust death penalty and the emotional impact it has on people. The ending is not what I expected which I appreciate in a novel. Winthrop's 240 pages are each masterfully crafted.

diziet's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I really liked the first parts of the book - the short chapters and quick shifts in perspective. But several of the characters were not that interesting or relevant. The DA - and especially his wife and son. Would much rather have had Willies mothers perspective - the chapters with his dad Frank are excellent and touching. 
All the white characters - except for Ora and Dale - where just like spectators and made me think of the popular quote ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ Not to diminish the risks of speaking out in US South in the 1940s.

The ending for me with the 

assault/killing? of DA’s son

seemed to misdirect from the tragedy and cruelty Willie is subjected to. It did not add anything to the story - and seemed a tad apologist. Like ‘white people also suffered’ - and really they did not - and do not - in comparison. But then this is just how I read it. Perhaps there is better way to interpret it?
Still a good book and worth a read. 

berivan_krt's review

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

mslourens's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sunny76's review against another edition

4.0

Wow, one evening and a little bit of the next morning is the time frame for this book. It's told from 9 character's points of view. These nine characters are: Lane, a prison trustee; Dale, a gas station owner; Ora, wife of Dale; Willie, the convicted and sentenced to die prisoner; Frank, Willie's dad; Father Hannigan, priest; Gabe, prosecuter's son; Nell, Gabe's mom; and Polly, the prosecuter and Gabe's dad. There is not time for a lot of character development in a day, but each of these people touched me in different ways - some made me feel good and some made me feel sorry for them. There are additional characters we know a little about some of them also touched me even when talked of in passing: Grace, Willie's girlfriend; Tobe, Dale and Ora's son; Elma, Willie's mom; and Bess, Frank's mule. Yes, even Frank's mule touched me. I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the south in the 40s. My only issue I have with this book is Gabe's piece of the ending and I generally don't mind endings like this.

readerjim's review against another edition

5.0

A compelling story that draws you on and won’t let you go until the final page.

indiabulman's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

awful and gut-wrenching, but well written. very short chapters which i loved, i am simple. particularly resonated with polly, father hannigan, frank and willies sections. hard to read but good. 

sineadmck's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

emmapaigereads's review

4.0

Very reminiscent of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but darker and with an open end. Painful but an excellent and necessary read.