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pauleypocket 's review for:
Mercy Street
by Jennifer Haigh
2.5 stars.
For a book centering on a women’s health clinic that provides abortion services, I was surprised and disappointed that 3 of the 4 points of view were from men. Claudia, Timmy, Anthony, & Victor tell a compelling story. I would’ve liked the POV from a patient. We were introduced to several but didn’t follow any.
It almost feels like the author wanted to include
as many controversial or emotion-evoking topics
as possible: abortion, generational poverty, gun shows, domestic terrorism, cancer, poverty, overt
racism, misogyny, teen pregnancy, child
abuse…
Though it’s well-written in the sense of being immersive and telling a cohesive story, I wouldn't say it's an enjoyable read. I don’t require all sunshine and rainbows, but I do like to glimpse the sun on occasion. It does provide various reasons why someone might seek an abortion as well as why someone might oppose the act.
I do have to say, there’s one misleading piece of medical advice Claudia gives a patient: insertion of an IUD will not prevent implantation like emergency contraception. An IUD is great to prevent future implantation — but not if fertilization has already occurred prior to placement of the IUD or in the first few days after insertion. Pregnancy tests are performed to ensure there is not a pregnancy prior to insertion, but like at-home tests, they can’t tell immediately.
I waffled between 2 and 3 stars. I can’t say I’d blindly recommend it, but if you’re seeking a realistic (and depressing) contemporary novel to get your book club talking, this would be a good pick.
For a book centering on a women’s health clinic that provides abortion services, I was surprised and disappointed that 3 of the 4 points of view were from men. Claudia, Timmy, Anthony, & Victor tell a compelling story. I would’ve liked the POV from a patient. We were introduced to several but didn’t follow any.
It almost feels like the author wanted to include
as many controversial or emotion-evoking topics
as possible: abortion, generational poverty, gun shows, domestic terrorism, cancer, poverty, overt
racism, misogyny, teen pregnancy, child
abuse…
Though it’s well-written in the sense of being immersive and telling a cohesive story, I wouldn't say it's an enjoyable read. I don’t require all sunshine and rainbows, but I do like to glimpse the sun on occasion. It does provide various reasons why someone might seek an abortion as well as why someone might oppose the act.
I do have to say, there’s one misleading piece of medical advice Claudia gives a patient: insertion of an IUD will not prevent implantation like emergency contraception. An IUD is great to prevent future implantation — but not if fertilization has already occurred prior to placement of the IUD or in the first few days after insertion. Pregnancy tests are performed to ensure there is not a pregnancy prior to insertion, but like at-home tests, they can’t tell immediately.
I waffled between 2 and 3 stars. I can’t say I’d blindly recommend it, but if you’re seeking a realistic (and depressing) contemporary novel to get your book club talking, this would be a good pick.