Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Mercy Street may not have been a book I would have sought out, but for listening to an zoom dialogue with the author and Stewart O'Nan, sponsored by a local bookstore. I had heard of Haigh, a semi-local author, born in Barnesboro, Cambria County. The discussion of the book intrigued me and when I saw it at the library, I picked it up to read. I read it quickly, during days of waiting.
Mercy Street is primarily the story of Claudia Birch, a social worker/counselor at a woman's health clinic in Boston. However, the story also includes Timmy, Claudia's marijuana dealer; Victor, a "pro-life" vigilante of sorts; and Victor's lieutenant, Anthony, who is also a friend/client of Timmy's. The reader gets a lot of background on each character, and their reasons for their actions, and stance on abortion. And in the end, the connections and motivations come together in endings that I did not see coming, yet seemed so, so right.
Aside from the issue of abortion, the novel also addresses loneliness, superficial/on-line relationships, poverty and class, among other things. And it does so by presenting the humanness of the people holding various views.
I am now looking forward to reading Haigh's other novels.
"He'd been told he had a problem with authority. He didn't like hearing it, which proved it was entirely true." (77)
"The point is, what's a good reason [to want an abortion]? Who gets to decide?" (93)
Mercy Street is primarily the story of Claudia Birch, a social worker/counselor at a woman's health clinic in Boston. However, the story also includes Timmy, Claudia's marijuana dealer; Victor, a "pro-life" vigilante of sorts; and Victor's lieutenant, Anthony, who is also a friend/client of Timmy's. The reader gets a lot of background on each character, and their reasons for their actions, and stance on abortion. And in the end, the connections and motivations come together in endings that I did not see coming, yet seemed so, so right.
Aside from the issue of abortion, the novel also addresses loneliness, superficial/on-line relationships, poverty and class, among other things. And it does so by presenting the humanness of the people holding various views.
I am now looking forward to reading Haigh's other novels.
"He'd been told he had a problem with authority. He didn't like hearing it, which proved it was entirely true." (77)
"The point is, what's a good reason [to want an abortion]? Who gets to decide?" (93)
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Abortion, Death of parent
Really compelling character studies (and I enjoyed being well-acquainted with the Boston events and locations) but without more plot, I think it was just a wee bit too long.
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
In light of recent events (i.e. overturning of roe v. wade, lack of gun control resulting in masa shootings, etc.), this book was unsettling to say the least. If I had know the topic before checking the book out of the library, it’s quite possible that I would have placed it back on the shelf.
While there were certainly shining moments in this book, most of the characters were entirely unlikeable. Every time that Haigh wrote from the perspective of Victor, Randy or Anthony, I wanted to reach out and shake them. All the more infuriating was the fact that these characters reflect a large portion of America’s population. Timmy, though, redeemed this book for me. However, in the end, I was left mostly unsatisfied with every character’s conclusion. I wanted MORE to Victor’s story - his (thankfully) thwarted vigilante justice and his accident. I wanted Timmy and Claudia to connect, in ANY way, after her pregnancy. The ending left something to be desired.
In light of recent events (i.e. overturning of roe v. wade, lack of gun control resulting in masa shootings, etc.), this book was unsettling to say the least. If I had know the topic before checking the book out of the library, it’s quite possible that I would have placed it back on the shelf.
While there were certainly shining moments in this book, most of the characters were entirely unlikeable. Every time that Haigh wrote from the perspective of Victor, Randy or Anthony, I wanted to reach out and shake them. All the more infuriating was the fact that these characters reflect a large portion of America’s population. Timmy, though, redeemed this book for me. However, in the end, I was left mostly unsatisfied with every character’s conclusion. I wanted MORE to Victor’s story - his (thankfully) thwarted vigilante justice and his accident. I wanted Timmy and Claudia to connect, in ANY way, after her pregnancy. The ending left something to be desired.
A character driven story. Such an interesting way to comment on such a fraught and current hot topic. Definitely felt a little like the first half dragged but it wrapped up beautifully
I received an advanced reading copy of this novel at no cost to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer Haigh has a knack for taking a hot button subject and presenting it through the lens of multiple characters who, like them or not, are developed with skill and complexity. With Mercy Street, she has done it again. I highly recommend this novel. Also, the audiobook is excellent.
Jennifer Haigh has a knack for taking a hot button subject and presenting it through the lens of multiple characters who, like them or not, are developed with skill and complexity. With Mercy Street, she has done it again. I highly recommend this novel. Also, the audiobook is excellent.
Call me bitter after many miscarriages, but I hate it when characters get magically pregnant after having unprotected sex once. Especially ones in their 40s. Such an overused plot device. Just once, I’d love to read about a character struggling to get pregnant or have a baby.
Otherwise, I did like this book.
Otherwise, I did like this book.
Favorite book of 2022 so far. A beautiful and captivating read written in varying points of views. Highly recommend