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lyellboi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
2.5
clk1950senreader's review against another edition
4.0
Claudia has a stressful job working in the Mercy Street abortion clinic in Boston. It is a second chance stop for many women. Claudia believes in second chances but we are introduced to people who are willing to threaten the clinic and take away a right to choose. Haigh doesn’t shy away from the common dark stereotypes and their lifestyles. The title appears to be well intended and brings to mind ‘have mercy’. In the end everyone is given a second chance, including Claudia.
rsw_bazillionbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this if a friend hadn't put it in my hands. But it was a timely read during these weeks following the not-so-supreme decision by those folks in the long black dresses.
This is the first book by Jennifer Haigh I've read. She presented her characters in a way that made me care who they were. By presenting their internal lives she made me feel some level of empathy even for the most detestable.
The ending of the book seemed like a somewhat odd twist and not where I thought we'd be going when I was midway through the story. And yet, I don't think I was disappointed.
I also am grateful to the author for having put in something about the "fake clinics" that were meant to confuse young women and dupe them into pregnancies they meant to terminate. My daughter-in-law had once pointed out one of these places in the college town where she lives and I didn't quite "get it." Now I do.
This is the first book by Jennifer Haigh I've read. She presented her characters in a way that made me care who they were. By presenting their internal lives she made me feel some level of empathy even for the most detestable.
The ending of the book seemed like a somewhat odd twist and not where I thought we'd be going when I was midway through the story. And yet, I don't think I was disappointed.
I also am grateful to the author for having put in something about the "fake clinics" that were meant to confuse young women and dupe them into pregnancies they meant to terminate. My daughter-in-law had once pointed out one of these places in the college town where she lives and I didn't quite "get it." Now I do.
madeleinereeg's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked but wished the ending was a bit different. Overall great reas. Thoughtful in how abortion is approached as a topic.
dbluminberg's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Mercy Street is the women’s health care facility that ties the novels characters to each other. I thought this would be more gripping, yet it is less about the violence/politics surrounding the issue of abortion and much more a character study about the many people, many living difficult marginal lives, connected to the clinic. Claudia, the main character and the intake counselor at the clinic is the most interesting, yet she isn’t all that interesting.
bibliofrankie's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook and I have a feeling it’s best enjoyed in that format, the narrator knocked it out of the park. It’s certainly character driven so I can understand the critique that it’s slow - but listening to it felt like an old friend telling a very long, intriguing story. Haigh’s writing is melodic.
lilylikespizza's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
barsiebeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
bunnyhugger75's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25