A review by saxamophone
The Unraveling of Mercy Louis by Keija Parssinen

3.0

So, this book, along with a few others I've read recently, fall into the Iowa Writer's Program collective - Keija Parssinen went there, and what I'm starting to notice is that the novels that come from IWP are really, truly, excellent at using language to create atmosphere. Parssinen paint Port Sabine, Texas, with its yellow heat and odor, it's religious fervor, and its persecuted girls with vivid, enriching imagery. Mercy Louis is an interesting character, as is Illa and the first two thirds of the book are wonderful and engaging. The last third is a bit rushed, but this is still worth a read.