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atrautmann217's review
3.0
This book has some really unique characters. Even after finishing it, I’m not sure that I like any of them. Although, I do feel like I understand them. This novel follows a few different characters all centering around an abortion clinic in Boston. From my time as an intern at Planned Parenthood, I recognize the security concerns and protocols of the clinic. I had never read about that experience, which was interesting! My chief complaint is that it was hard to listen to the chapters centering around Victor. His white supremacy and aggressive pro-life stance was nauseating. But, I think that was the point. It felt like a caricature of that type of person - impossible that someone like that exists. Unfortunately, they really do.
joey1914's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
literarycrushes's review
3.0
I read Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh for my book club, which I’ll point out because I don’t think I would have picked this one out on my own. I often find that novels about hot button topics feel forced, as though they’re being written for the sake of getting headlines or making sales rather than because they necessarily have something new to say about a polarizing subject. I did not find that while reading this book.
Mercy Street is a surprisingly quiet story. It is about Claudia, a single, middle-aged woman who works at an abortion clinic in Boston. Through Claudia, we are granted access to the intimate setting of the clinic and learn about many of the patients and their backstories. We also learn about Claudia herself, and her upbringing in rural Maine, where she was raised in a single-wide trailer by a single mother and spent most of her time caring for the array of fosters her mother took in to make extra money. Claudia is not a warm character, and you often feel that she is withholding something of herself as a protective measure. The other characters are all men, each of whom is somehow involved in a somewhat confusing plan to try and dissuade women from getting abortions by publicly shaming them.
I won’t say any more so as to not give the whole plot away, but my main gripe was the book’s pacing – the first half of the novel really takes its time, while the second half feels rushed and I often had to reread paragraphs to make sure I was still following what was going on. One of the characters, Victor, also tended to go on lengthy tirades that I guess were a necessary counterpoint to Claudia’s, and I think were meant to cast a somewhat empathetic view of him, but at times it was more than I could take. Overall though, I’m glad I read it and will be reading Haigh’s other novels soon!
Mercy Street is a surprisingly quiet story. It is about Claudia, a single, middle-aged woman who works at an abortion clinic in Boston. Through Claudia, we are granted access to the intimate setting of the clinic and learn about many of the patients and their backstories. We also learn about Claudia herself, and her upbringing in rural Maine, where she was raised in a single-wide trailer by a single mother and spent most of her time caring for the array of fosters her mother took in to make extra money. Claudia is not a warm character, and you often feel that she is withholding something of herself as a protective measure. The other characters are all men, each of whom is somehow involved in a somewhat confusing plan to try and dissuade women from getting abortions by publicly shaming them.
I won’t say any more so as to not give the whole plot away, but my main gripe was the book’s pacing – the first half of the novel really takes its time, while the second half feels rushed and I often had to reread paragraphs to make sure I was still following what was going on. One of the characters, Victor, also tended to go on lengthy tirades that I guess were a necessary counterpoint to Claudia’s, and I think were meant to cast a somewhat empathetic view of him, but at times it was more than I could take. Overall though, I’m glad I read it and will be reading Haigh’s other novels soon!
amk472's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
rebeccaiross's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lonicole27's review against another edition
3.5
This is definitely a book thats better as an audiobook I don’t think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much had I read it traditionally. I could have done with a little more of a climax or some more finality but overall it was a well told story
mbkarapcik's review
3.0
Jennifer Haigh's latest book, Mercy Street, covers a Boston-area abortion clinic and characters either directly or loosely connected to the facility. You have Claudia, an administrator at the clinic who grew up in a trailer park with a revolving cast of foster children. You'll also meet her weed dealer Timmy who doesn't know if he can keep up his business with the potential for marijuana legalization. Plus, you encounter two male abortion protestors and learn of their agendas and background.
I have read all of Haigh's books and didn't want to miss this one. I find the premise one that could generate a lot of thought, but it's not a balanced portrait. Any pro-lifer depicted in this book is male, either misogynistic or completely inept with women.
One truly despicable character who runs a website that posts pictures of women outside clinics throughout the country is totally racist and such a stereotype. I felt absolutely no empathy for him, so, of course, I couldn't even understand his side of things and wouldn't want to.
This bothered me because I really would have liked to hear all different perspectives from people who work in the clinic. Also, those individuals who are clinic employees, protestors, or visiting the clinic who may feel morally ambiguous from both sides of the aisle. There's more to this issue than the black-and-white stance that the characters take.
And I find it surprising that there weren't any more notable female characters. Many women are pro-life and many are pro-choice. I wanted to hear from all of them. And I find it hard to believe that whether you come from either side that this life event gets easily discarded. It's a very serious decision and act, and I wanted to read about people who had doubts from both angles.
If you're looking for a more nuanced book about a clinic, pick up Jodi Picoult's A Spark of Light. She profiled all types of characters from very different backgrounds and perspectives. That actually stimulated thoughts that may bring you to a more central perspective and challenge you to think about why each character thinks how they do. Even when you disagreed, it really made you stop and think.
Despite this vaguely negative feedback, I thought the writing was incredible and worth reading. I loved the language used, which was crisp and descriptive. Another review I saw mentioned that this was more of a character study than a plot-driven tale. I totally agreed with that. I just wish I felt more empathy for any of the characters. I found it hard to like any of them even Claudia. Everyone seemed sad and miserable while a series of winter storms blankets the Boston area and creates an atmosphere of being trapped.
And actually, I would really have loved hearing more about Timmy and his business. Haigh could have written another book that dives into marijuana legalization and people who could be affected in either negative or positive ways. That would have been interesting.
I love how Haigh attacked this topic, I just wish she had produced a more multi-angled view of the whole issue. I feel like she approached her other books that covered controversial topics such as clergy abuse and fracking in a more nuanced way.
I have read all of Haigh's books and didn't want to miss this one. I find the premise one that could generate a lot of thought, but it's not a balanced portrait. Any pro-lifer depicted in this book is male, either misogynistic or completely inept with women.
One truly despicable character who runs a website that posts pictures of women outside clinics throughout the country is totally racist and such a stereotype. I felt absolutely no empathy for him, so, of course, I couldn't even understand his side of things and wouldn't want to.
This bothered me because I really would have liked to hear all different perspectives from people who work in the clinic. Also, those individuals who are clinic employees, protestors, or visiting the clinic who may feel morally ambiguous from both sides of the aisle. There's more to this issue than the black-and-white stance that the characters take.
And I find it surprising that there weren't any more notable female characters. Many women are pro-life and many are pro-choice. I wanted to hear from all of them. And I find it hard to believe that whether you come from either side that this life event gets easily discarded. It's a very serious decision and act, and I wanted to read about people who had doubts from both angles.
If you're looking for a more nuanced book about a clinic, pick up Jodi Picoult's A Spark of Light. She profiled all types of characters from very different backgrounds and perspectives. That actually stimulated thoughts that may bring you to a more central perspective and challenge you to think about why each character thinks how they do. Even when you disagreed, it really made you stop and think.
Despite this vaguely negative feedback, I thought the writing was incredible and worth reading. I loved the language used, which was crisp and descriptive. Another review I saw mentioned that this was more of a character study than a plot-driven tale. I totally agreed with that. I just wish I felt more empathy for any of the characters. I found it hard to like any of them even Claudia. Everyone seemed sad and miserable while a series of winter storms blankets the Boston area and creates an atmosphere of being trapped.
And actually, I would really have loved hearing more about Timmy and his business. Haigh could have written another book that dives into marijuana legalization and people who could be affected in either negative or positive ways. That would have been interesting.
I love how Haigh attacked this topic, I just wish she had produced a more multi-angled view of the whole issue. I feel like she approached her other books that covered controversial topics such as clergy abuse and fracking in a more nuanced way.
sahanac's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this is not the book i expected, going into the story. but i was captivated by all four povs we followed thru the book. i don't really know what i was hoping for, but this book gave me more, between claudia's career and family life, between anthony and timmy, and victor — the bad guys got what was due them, and the good guys did too, and in the end i'm not sure anyone got what they wanted, or what they deserved. much like life. or something? im still perplexed.
gdil's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0