Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Mercy Street

Jennifer Haigh has become one of my most reliable authors who develops strong stories and doesn't shy away from layered topics. Given the right setting and company, it would yield a thought-provoking discussion on abortion.

Haigh's writing shines in her character development, and it is the thought and care that go into details (like crafting a well-thought backstory) that make this topic rich for discussion.

In one viewpoint, we examine Claudia's day-to-day life working at a women's reproductive clinic named Mercy Street. She sees a lot in her career- both the good and the bad. The reader goes in the exam room with many cases that may feel undeserving of a second chance and the ones that ask you to step into another woman's shoes.

Claudia has grown accustomed to the protests at her clinic, but = suddenly, a man has decided to take his protest into an extreme online campaign. He wants every woman to pay, including those working at Mercy Street.

From another viewpoint, we learn the man's motives who have decided to make every woman and clinic pay for their crimes. Then, to make sure that everyone knows just what they have been up to, he posts their pictures online, causing anxiety among their patients and the staff.

As Claudia tries to escape her anxiety, she finds a pot dealer to help her escape her reality. Their stories become intertwined in ways that they might have never expected.

I listened to this on audiobook, and I can admit that portions of the feelings and statements issued by the anti-abortion activist were extreme in every sense of the word. There were extreme statements made that were racist, homophobic, and sexually disturbing. It was challenging to listen to as an audiobook even though the narration was beautifully done. I feel like there were sections I might have skimmed. Instead, I'd encourage you to read this in digital or paper format, especially if these might be triggering statements.

That said, Haigh does allow for evolution and for us to see the story beyond the typical one-note themes. This book is what I had hoped to find in A Spark of Light. It allowed for an expansion of viewpoint in some very moving ways.

If you haven't read Haigh's work before, I hope this is the introduction you need to get acquainted with her work and dive into her prior novels.

Content Warnings

oliviaoverthinkseverything's review

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dark reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

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