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167
Novel • Fiction
Maryland Colony • 1690s
2008
Adult
16+ years
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
31,575 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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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.
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.
31,575 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jacob Vaark
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.
Minha mãe
The mother of Florens, who plays a critical yet initially mysterious role in Florens's early life and future upbringing.
Rebekka Vaark
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.
Lina
An Indigenous woman and the first enslaved person on the Vaark farm, known for her steadfastness and protective nature toward those she cares for.
Sorrow
A young woman who survives a maritime disaster, living at the Vaark farm, and is marked by trauma and a vivid imagination.
Blacksmith
A free Black man skilled in his craft, interacting with the Vaark household and leaving an impact through his distinctive presence.
Willard Bond
An indentured servant from a nearby property who helps out at the Vaark farm and is in a relationship with Scully.
Scully
An indentured servant who assists at the Vaark farm and maintains a quiet, resilient connection with Willard.
Widow Ealing
A village woman tangled in local superstitions, who initially aids Florens before succumbing to communal fears.
Jane Ealing
The daughter of Widow Ealing, defiant in her actions despite the risk, and empathetic toward Florens during a tense period.
Malaik
An orphan under the care of the Blacksmith, whose presence influences relationships and reflects shared fears of abandonment.
167
Novel • Fiction
Maryland Colony • 1690s
2008
Adult
16+ years
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