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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
[spoiler-ish] This started reasonably strong but fell flat in the end, in my opinion. It's a good exercise in character study, but fails at plot.
The book features the perspectives of four different characters, and the primary one about whom we learn the most with the most backstory works at a Boston clinic that provides abortions. Her job is the impetus for the conflict. Throughout the book, the reader knows the characters are loosely bumping up against each other in ways the characters do not, and the plot seems to be building toward a climax of bringing them together. Until it just doesn't.
The book features the perspectives of four different characters, and the primary one about whom we learn the most with the most backstory works at a Boston clinic that provides abortions. Her job is the impetus for the conflict. Throughout the book, the reader knows the characters are loosely bumping up against each other in ways the characters do not, and the plot seems to be building toward a climax of bringing them together. Until it just doesn't.
3.5 Stars -This one is more of a well-written character study than a page-turning novel. I think the cover description is a bit misleading. I was expecting a suspenseful story with the characters' lives colliding at a crucial climatic moment. Instead, this was character driven story where their lives almost intersect with an anticlimactic ending. After reading the back stories of the characters, I realize this was meant as an examination of those whose ideas and life experiences are vastly different and how those differences have demarcated America. I would give characterization and writing quality 5 stars. However, to me, the story itself lacks direction and fails to leave reader satisfied. Thank you to the publishers for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book had so much promise. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was only from Claudia's point of view. And it kind of fell off near the end.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
2.5.
It’s preachy without being preachy. On the one hand it illustrates the myriad reasons that women choose to terminate but one the other everyone is a stereotype.
There are parts, for example when she’s telling a grown man that the Supreme Court struck down a safe distance for protestors that you feel like she’s trying to give you a history lesson and outline of the whole debate in a novel. The end in annoying.
It’s preachy without being preachy. On the one hand it illustrates the myriad reasons that women choose to terminate but one the other everyone is a stereotype.
There are parts, for example when she’s telling a grown man that the Supreme Court struck down a safe distance for protestors that you feel like she’s trying to give you a history lesson and outline of the whole debate in a novel. The end in annoying.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had high hopes going in - pro-choice feminist themes, character-driven narrative, some diversity of lived experiences. But this was a "skim to finish". I think my biggest critique is that none of the characters seemed to learn anything or grow in a meaningful way. No one was challenged on their racist or sexist biases, no one made amends for poor decisions or demonstrated shifts in their thinking or feeling...it just fell flat.
One of the fastest and addictive reads I’ve had this year! Mercy Street tells its story of abortion rights from four perspectives: Claudia, the clinic worker who has survived a painful childhood and doubts her choices as an adult; Timmy, her marijuana dealer with a good heart but a lack of common sense; Anthony, the slightly delusional church-goer who attends anti-abortion ralleys to get attention and approval; Victor, the source of deep-seated ignorance, prejudice and perversion who creates the chaos at the heart of the story.
I haved loved every one of Jennifer Haigh’s novels and this did not disappoint. It manages to tackle a controversial subject without preaching to the choir or presenting condescending counterarguments. No character is perfect, no patient comes in for the same reason and it’s okay not to understand. The question is how we treat others that really matters.
I haved loved every one of Jennifer Haigh’s novels and this did not disappoint. It manages to tackle a controversial subject without preaching to the choir or presenting condescending counterarguments. No character is perfect, no patient comes in for the same reason and it’s okay not to understand. The question is how we treat others that really matters.
This book wasn’t quite I was expecting it to be but it wasn’t bad. I wanted to know more about Claudia, her work, her drive. I felt that too much time and detail was spent on Victor, but I do like how fake clinics are mentioned, because they cause real harm. Victor reminds me very much of David, one of our local protestors.
The similarities were sickening. David isn’t Catholic, but he hates womxn just as much as Victor. The threads of violence and misogyny that connect them were so familiar to me. Rape, pedophilia, punishment, murder, racism, anti-Blackness. I have heard David talk about all of these things. The photo shown is of him: David Benrexi. He is wearing an anti-abortion, racist shirt that is supposed to connect to Harriet Tubman—who he gladly would have enslaved, and committed acts of violence upon.
Another thing highlighted in the book, is how photos are taken of patients. This is a very real thing and it is not okay. You can imagine why. Ask yourself, at what other medical facilities do you see this happening? It is unacceptable. Period.
Clinic violence exists. Fake clinics exist and are very harmful in multiple ways. Protestors/anti-abortion activists exist and are very dangerous. Please, please speak up for abortion care access, for inclusive, intersectional reproductive care, for queer folx, for peoplx of color. The threat is very real and it kills. This is not a game.
Please support your local abortion funds and get involved. Volunteer at clinics, get educated, have conversations. Call your legislators and demand we all of access to full spectrum care with dignity and respect. Vote. Help others register to vote and get to the polls together. Join teams of clinic defense and fight back against the harm that protestors cause outside of clinics. Check on your friends and family clinic workers. Get trauma informed. Tell stories, encourage story telling—it is one of the most powerful ways to end stigma. Remember that this work is done with love, above all else. AID & ABET.
The similarities were sickening. David isn’t Catholic, but he hates womxn just as much as Victor. The threads of violence and misogyny that connect them were so familiar to me. Rape, pedophilia, punishment, murder, racism, anti-Blackness. I have heard David talk about all of these things. The photo shown is of him: David Benrexi. He is wearing an anti-abortion, racist shirt that is supposed to connect to Harriet Tubman—who he gladly would have enslaved, and committed acts of violence upon.
Another thing highlighted in the book, is how photos are taken of patients. This is a very real thing and it is not okay. You can imagine why. Ask yourself, at what other medical facilities do you see this happening? It is unacceptable. Period.
Clinic violence exists. Fake clinics exist and are very harmful in multiple ways. Protestors/anti-abortion activists exist and are very dangerous. Please, please speak up for abortion care access, for inclusive, intersectional reproductive care, for queer folx, for peoplx of color. The threat is very real and it kills. This is not a game.
Please support your local abortion funds and get involved. Volunteer at clinics, get educated, have conversations. Call your legislators and demand we all of access to full spectrum care with dignity and respect. Vote. Help others register to vote and get to the polls together. Join teams of clinic defense and fight back against the harm that protestors cause outside of clinics. Check on your friends and family clinic workers. Get trauma informed. Tell stories, encourage story telling—it is one of the most powerful ways to end stigma. Remember that this work is done with love, above all else. AID & ABET.
This was disappointing, to put it lightly. I enjoyed a lot of Claudia's viewpoint, but there didn't seem to be a storyline in the slightest. I found Victor's character too cliche in the sense of an incel. I'm sure many will write this book off as being a "slow burn," but it took every piece of me not to make this a DNF...