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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Frustrating. Main character makes so many bad decisions.
This novel explores the realities of abortion in America through the eyes of several different characters. Claudia, a counselor at a clinic in Boston, is the most dynamic and complex. Expertly crafted, this book presents the real lives beyond the rhetoric as innately and incredibly human.
A bold novel that explores the burning issues in America - abortion, racism, legalization of Marijuana, addiction, mental health.
There is clinic for reproductive health on Mercy Street in Boston.
Claudia, a staff, is used to the protestors outside their clinic. But someone has been taking photos of the women who come in to the clinic for abortion and those photos are appearing on a website called Hall of Shame.
Timmy Flynn sells weed and tries to find ways he can bring his son the Tuna to live with him in Boston and stop paying child support to his ex wife.
Anthony lives off his disability checks after an accident in his work place and gets through his life with the help of his Cathoic faith.
Victor Prine is determined to make sure White women fulfill their duty of procreation so the Blacks and people of other races do not undermine white power.
The paths of these different characters are destined to collide and what happens if the collision takes place?
The novel has been called "propulsive" and "urgent" by reviewers. Propulsive it is because I obsessively turned the pages to read what happens in the plot. It was also fascinating to live for a short while in the heads of a white supremacist, a person with severe mental health issues, a well meaning drug dealer and a middle aged women's health expert who has come from an impoverished background. I found this book riveting, thought provoking and although hair raising at the pacing of the story as well as plot twists, not necessarily without hope. I can, however, only suggest this book to readers who want to read gritty, honest truth about women's choices and those who are adamant that they should not have any.
There is clinic for reproductive health on Mercy Street in Boston.
Claudia, a staff, is used to the protestors outside their clinic. But someone has been taking photos of the women who come in to the clinic for abortion and those photos are appearing on a website called Hall of Shame.
Timmy Flynn sells weed and tries to find ways he can bring his son the Tuna to live with him in Boston and stop paying child support to his ex wife.
Anthony lives off his disability checks after an accident in his work place and gets through his life with the help of his Cathoic faith.
Victor Prine is determined to make sure White women fulfill their duty of procreation so the Blacks and people of other races do not undermine white power.
The paths of these different characters are destined to collide and what happens if the collision takes place?
The novel has been called "propulsive" and "urgent" by reviewers. Propulsive it is because I obsessively turned the pages to read what happens in the plot. It was also fascinating to live for a short while in the heads of a white supremacist, a person with severe mental health issues, a well meaning drug dealer and a middle aged women's health expert who has come from an impoverished background. I found this book riveting, thought provoking and although hair raising at the pacing of the story as well as plot twists, not necessarily without hope. I can, however, only suggest this book to readers who want to read gritty, honest truth about women's choices and those who are adamant that they should not have any.
I love reading novels that handle timely topics. Mercy Street is just that. It offers great insight through the characters about the issue of abortion. It really made me think. The ending is shocking and still has me thinking about it. A compelling read!
This book was totally mediocre to me. I kept waiting for something to happen, the plot seemed kind of random to me. Mercy Street clinic is the connection point for all the characters but it was just a very loose book in my opinion.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some compelling characters and the narrative has strong momentum though I ultimately found it all a touch too obvious, a social-realist novel about abortion that never goes beyond some well-trodden paths.
An important book, in its views of actors on all sides of the abortion-rights debate, but I felt it veered off into melodrama in its last third. Strong, nuanced characters all the way through. Definitely worth reading, as it raises important questions about class and justice.
The best part of this book was the picture it gave of the day to day operations of a women's health center / abortion provider -- it brought home how much the average person (and the average man in particular) doesn't understand about women's choices and constraints.
Overall, though, this book didn't really work for me as a piece of literature. The connections among the different main characters were kind of tenuous, contrary to was was promoted on the book jacket, and it mostly felt a bit flat. Others have really liked it, so your mileage may vary.
Overall, though, this book didn't really work for me as a piece of literature. The connections among the different main characters were kind of tenuous, contrary to was was promoted on the book jacket, and it mostly felt a bit flat. Others have really liked it, so your mileage may vary.