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39 pages 1 hour read

A Mercy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Book Brief

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Toni Morrison

A Mercy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

167

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maryland Colony • 1690s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Mercy follows the experiences of a 16-year-old enslaved girl named Florens, who is given to Jacob Vaark as payment for a debt. She goes to live on Vaark's farm in rural New York, where a pseudo-family of enslaved and indentured individuals forms. Florens falls in love with a free Black man, the Blacksmith, but faces numerous challenges as fear and panic emerge after Jacob's death, leading to significant changes in the household. The novel addresses slavery and explores themes of abandonment, belonging, and the search for kindness in a pre-racial America. Sensitive topics include cruelty towards enslaved individuals and incidents of physical violence.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.1

31,575 ratings

64%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Toni Morrison's A Mercy garners praise for its lyrical prose and compelling narrative structure, vividly depicting early American life. Critics applaud its exploration of themes like slavery, motherhood, and freedom through richly developed characters. However, some readers find the nonlinear timeline and multiple perspectives challenging. Overall, it is a poignant, intricate novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Mercy?

A reader who enjoys A Mercy by Toni Morrison is likely drawn to rich, poetic prose, complex characters, and historical settings that explore themes of slavery and human suffering. Fans of Beloved by Morrison herself and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead would find this novel compelling for its deep emotional impact and nuanced storytelling.

4.1

31,575 ratings

64%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Florens

An enslaved young Black woman yearning for acceptance, who navigates complex emotions linked to her past experiences and seeks kinship at the Vaark farm.

A pragmatic farmer and settler in the Americas, whose actions shape the dynamics on the Vaark farm and influence the lives of those around him.

The mother of Florens, who plays a critical yet initially mysterious role in Florens's early life and future upbringing.

The English wife of Jacob Vaark, who adapts to her new life on the farm and forms various relationships that challenge and change over time.

An Indigenous woman and the first enslaved person on the Vaark farm, known for her steadfastness and protective nature toward those she cares for.

A young woman who survives a maritime disaster, living at the Vaark farm, and is marked by trauma and a vivid imagination.

A free Black man skilled in his craft, interacting with the Vaark household and leaving an impact through his distinctive presence.

An indentured servant from a nearby property who helps out at the Vaark farm and is in a relationship with Scully.

An indentured servant who assists at the Vaark farm and maintains a quiet, resilient connection with Willard.

A village woman tangled in local superstitions, who initially aids Florens before succumbing to communal fears.

The daughter of Widow Ealing, defiant in her actions despite the risk, and empathetic toward Florens during a tense period.

An orphan under the care of the Blacksmith, whose presence influences relationships and reflects shared fears of abandonment.

Book Details
Pages

167

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maryland Colony • 1690s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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