Comments (11)

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Sep 08, 2021dlcook rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of the best books I have ever read. I had to fight back sobs when I finished it. It tackles a very difficult question: What harm do we do when we decide to do no harm?
Dec 15, 2016
I first read Mercy Among the Children in high school. Our assignment was to choose a Canadian author, read one of their works, summarize it, and write about how it made you feel. I remember being immediately drawn to it, as Sydney pushes…
Oct 08, 2016badidea rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Mercy Among the Children is a tragic family saga full of irony and suspense. As in other novels of his that I have read, the wrongfully accused play an important role in the plot. This complex story is well developed, brilliantly written…
Jul 29, 2016FVReader rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
So many themes throughout this book: strength vs pacifism, poverty/lack of voice vs privilege/voice, good vs evil (of course), truth vs lies and choices. There's alcoholism, abuse, destitution, vileness of people (the town's people are…
Dec 16, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
One of our most talented Canadian authors, Richard’s books have been among those quiet hand-picks, passed around by readers for years; but with the winning of the Giller Prize, he steps out of the shadows and onto the main stage. His…
Aug 01, 2012jhamilton13 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
While it is an emotionally sad story, I really enjoyed it and could not put it down. I will definitely read more from this author.
bookworm1387
Apr 02, 2012bookworm1387 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece. Richards' novels are not light reading, so be forewarned. What I like about this novel is that even the lowest, most despicable characters are portrayed as human beings. Without condoning the terribly selfish things they do,…
Dec 01, 2010jbeckber rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Well, I agree with the comments thus far, wonderfully written but oh so depressing. I cried and cried and kept asking myself "why am I reading this?" yet I couldn't put it down.
Jun 01, 2010
This is the best book I feel I have read to date . Not only did it encompass aspects of Eastern Canada many Canadians tend to not have knowledge of but also is eye awakening to the realities of life and an unwavering moral code. The life…
VeganGreen
Sep 10, 2009VeganGreen rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Well written but way too depressing - people being trampled to the ground and then beaten, kicked and walked all over, all because of their foolish misguided moral code. I need a glimmer of hope in a story, so may have to give up on this…
Aug 30, 2009molly rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, wonderful novel. Enough said :)