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Book of Mercy
In small Mercy, North Carolina, a group of influential women-the Mercy Study Club-decide to remove "undesirable" books from the school library. It was supposed to be easy. But they hadn't planned on Antigone Brown, a woman who has trouble reading road signs, keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left, and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child. As she is quick to tell you, she is no hero. But now she will have to face her greatest fear to save the town's books.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2011
18 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Roberts
10 books60 followersSherry Roberts is the author of award-winning contemporary fiction (Down Here, Up There, Book of Mercy, Maud’s House) and cozy mysteries (Down Dog Diary, Warrior’s Revenge, Crow Calling). Several of her books are Indie Author Project Select titles as well as finalists in the Midwest Book Awards. Sherry has contributed essays and short stories to various publications including Saint Paul Almanac, Minnesota Not So Nice, Dark Side of the Loon. and Mystery Magazine. Her essays are on The Hearth: www.hearth.sherry-roberts.com. She lives in Minnesota, where she feeds the hummingbirds, takes walks, reads by the fire, bakes cookies, and practices yoga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 24, 2011
Roberts Tackles Censorship with Book of Mercy
If your family is full of avid readers, and your house is stocked with books, consider this: About 500 books are challenged every year in the United States, according to the American Library Association—and those are just the ones reported.
Among the books challenged or banned in the United States in 2010-11 were The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, as a parent claimed that it gave her 11-year-old daughter nightmares and could numb other children to the effects of violence; What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: A Guide for Parents and Sons, which was banned in 21 Texas schools after a parent complained about it; and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, challenged in Republic, Missouri schools because it is allegedly “glorifies drinking, cursing, and premarital sex.”
In the recently released Book of Mercy, Minnesota author Sherry Roberts tackles the topic of censorship in a small town. Roberts’ story centers on a group of influential women—the Mercy Study Club—whose leader decides to remove “undesirable” books from the school library. The movement gathers support, and eventually, the school librarian is bullied into taking a select group of books off the shelves.
The plan goes off the tracks when Antigone Brown discovers the plot. Brown is a woman who has trouble reading road signs, keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left, and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child. Brown is a quirky, smart, loveable everywoman that readers can’t help rooting for. The situations she finds herself involved in are messy and true-to-small town life. Though she is far from perfect, Antigone’s moral compass never wavers. The challenges she faces are formidable and her foes are deliciously evil.
“This novel is inspired by an actual book challenge that occurred in my daughter’s high school in North Carolina,” Roberts says in an interview via email. “She came home one day and said, ‘Mom, they’re banning books!’ A parent complained about The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes, and the school took it out of circulation. Eventually, the book was returned to the library shelves, after a public meeting and a review committee assessment. However, in the process, the English teacher resigned.”
Roberts adds, “Every parent has to face the same question that Antigone Brown ponders: how do we protect our children from the world but save the world for our children?”
Roberts is also the author of Maud’s House, and two non-fiction books about the city of Greensboro, North Carolina. She has contributed essays and articles to national publications such as USA Today. Visit Sherry Roberts’s blog: www.sherry-roberts.com. To read an excerpt of Book of Mercy: www.sherry-roberts.com/sherrys-books/...
Details: Available in paperback and eBook through www.osmyrrahpublishing.com, www.Amazon.com and www.BN.com
ISBN: 978-0-9638880-4-4
Article first published as Book Review and Interview: Book of Mercy by Sherry Roberts on Blogcritics.
If your family is full of avid readers, and your house is stocked with books, consider this: About 500 books are challenged every year in the United States, according to the American Library Association—and those are just the ones reported.
Among the books challenged or banned in the United States in 2010-11 were The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, as a parent claimed that it gave her 11-year-old daughter nightmares and could numb other children to the effects of violence; What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: A Guide for Parents and Sons, which was banned in 21 Texas schools after a parent complained about it; and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, challenged in Republic, Missouri schools because it is allegedly “glorifies drinking, cursing, and premarital sex.”
In the recently released Book of Mercy, Minnesota author Sherry Roberts tackles the topic of censorship in a small town. Roberts’ story centers on a group of influential women—the Mercy Study Club—whose leader decides to remove “undesirable” books from the school library. The movement gathers support, and eventually, the school librarian is bullied into taking a select group of books off the shelves.
The plan goes off the tracks when Antigone Brown discovers the plot. Brown is a woman who has trouble reading road signs, keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left, and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child. Brown is a quirky, smart, loveable everywoman that readers can’t help rooting for. The situations she finds herself involved in are messy and true-to-small town life. Though she is far from perfect, Antigone’s moral compass never wavers. The challenges she faces are formidable and her foes are deliciously evil.
“This novel is inspired by an actual book challenge that occurred in my daughter’s high school in North Carolina,” Roberts says in an interview via email. “She came home one day and said, ‘Mom, they’re banning books!’ A parent complained about The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes, and the school took it out of circulation. Eventually, the book was returned to the library shelves, after a public meeting and a review committee assessment. However, in the process, the English teacher resigned.”
Roberts adds, “Every parent has to face the same question that Antigone Brown ponders: how do we protect our children from the world but save the world for our children?”
Roberts is also the author of Maud’s House, and two non-fiction books about the city of Greensboro, North Carolina. She has contributed essays and articles to national publications such as USA Today. Visit Sherry Roberts’s blog: www.sherry-roberts.com. To read an excerpt of Book of Mercy: www.sherry-roberts.com/sherrys-books/...
Details: Available in paperback and eBook through www.osmyrrahpublishing.com, www.Amazon.com and www.BN.com
ISBN: 978-0-9638880-4-4
Article first published as Book Review and Interview: Book of Mercy by Sherry Roberts on Blogcritics.
January 26, 2012
I knew from the blurb of the book I was going to like it, I just didn't realize how much I was going to like this amazing book. As a passionate reader like myself and we all are, this is absolutely a book you will want to read. Warning though, once you start you will not be able to put it down until you have read the very last word. It's a book that will stay with you long after you have finished it. It's a very heart-warming, beautiful, touch your heart novel. It is about censorship, power and control, but also love, friendship and motherhood.
Antigone Brown a dyslexia lady who runs a deer farm and a cafe for vegetarians, she can't remember left from right and keeps a rock in her hand to remember the difference and amazingly never gets lost on her long drives. Out for one of her drives she picks up Ryder and brings home. Antigone will be the one to start everything in motion that will change Mercy forever. I love all the characters, they compliment this novel so well I couldn't imagine different one's, they are lovable, strong, funny, loving characters even with all their quarks.
I loved reading this book, and am so glad I did, for all of us book lovers, avid readers, story tellers, bloggers, you will all love reading this novel, it is a must read, I really can't say to much more or I'll ruin the story for you, but I will say if you don't read this book you are missing out on a spectacular novel. Enjoy everyone!!!!
Antigone Brown a dyslexia lady who runs a deer farm and a cafe for vegetarians, she can't remember left from right and keeps a rock in her hand to remember the difference and amazingly never gets lost on her long drives. Out for one of her drives she picks up Ryder and brings home. Antigone will be the one to start everything in motion that will change Mercy forever. I love all the characters, they compliment this novel so well I couldn't imagine different one's, they are lovable, strong, funny, loving characters even with all their quarks.
I loved reading this book, and am so glad I did, for all of us book lovers, avid readers, story tellers, bloggers, you will all love reading this novel, it is a must read, I really can't say to much more or I'll ruin the story for you, but I will say if you don't read this book you are missing out on a spectacular novel. Enjoy everyone!!!!
December 19, 2012
WALKI'S REVIEW
When Antigone is upset, she takes off on a driving binge, generally without her cell phone, while her husband Sam works on his welding binge to stave off his worry. This time, she is pregnant and is afraid of being a bad mother, afraid of letting down her child to be. On the way, she picks up another stray, Ryder, a homeless teenager from New York.
Antigone has a secret: she is severely dyslexic. When the busy-bodies in the town of Mercy decide to ban books from the library to protect their children, Antigone stands up against them, and her vegetarian café will become a self-service library as children bring their books to her because they are afraid to see them taken away from them.
‘Book of Mercy’ is a feel-good novel to get absorbed in when you feel the need to take your mind off your own reality. Sherry Roberts created strong and lovable characters to make friends with. At the same time, she brings up the subject of censorship and freedom of choice and expression, and how it can affect private lives and local communities.
When Antigone is upset, she takes off on a driving binge, generally without her cell phone, while her husband Sam works on his welding binge to stave off his worry. This time, she is pregnant and is afraid of being a bad mother, afraid of letting down her child to be. On the way, she picks up another stray, Ryder, a homeless teenager from New York.
Antigone has a secret: she is severely dyslexic. When the busy-bodies in the town of Mercy decide to ban books from the library to protect their children, Antigone stands up against them, and her vegetarian café will become a self-service library as children bring their books to her because they are afraid to see them taken away from them.
‘Book of Mercy’ is a feel-good novel to get absorbed in when you feel the need to take your mind off your own reality. Sherry Roberts created strong and lovable characters to make friends with. At the same time, she brings up the subject of censorship and freedom of choice and expression, and how it can affect private lives and local communities.
June 29, 2012
Book of Mercy is a light-hearted look at the very serious topic of censorship, in this case book-banning. Sherry Roberts also throws in other serious things (like dyslexia, homelessness, bullying), but always manages to keep a light touch. An easy read with plenty of action and sympathetic characters that left me thinking, and wanting more. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
December 20, 2011
This book brought an interesting main character, all sorts of quirky other characters, a unique story angle and some very solid writing.
i thoroughly enjoyed the book from cover to cover (okay, it was a kindle edition) and look forward to reading the other book by this author.
i thoroughly enjoyed the book from cover to cover (okay, it was a kindle edition) and look forward to reading the other book by this author.
December 24, 2011
The Book of Mercy is a truly beautiful, heart-warming novel on book censorship, the nature of love, motherhood and friendship. I loved this book from the first page to the end, which had me in tears of joy - I’m a softy
.
When a group of influential women decide to remove “undesirable” books from the school library, Antigone Brown, a woman with dyslexia who keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child stands up for people’s rights to determine what they will read rather than having a bunch of self appointed guardians of local morality do it for them. Antigone ponders: how do we protect our children from the world but save the world for our children?
The story strips the issue of censorship down to its bare bones of power and control through showing us the differing perspectives and personalities of the main characters. The characters of Antigone, Sam and Ryder are adorable with delightful quirks to give them plenty of pizzazz for someone like me who usually reads fantasy. Antigone has trouble reading road signs but is addicted to driving for long hours to escape from stressful situations and never gets lost – until she gets pregnant. Her husband Sam is directionally challenged – he gets lost all the time – and makes sculptures out of old car parts while waiting for his wife to return. Ryder is a run away teen that Antigone picks up and brings home like a stray cat. His story adds a wonderful extra layer on the meaning of family and friendship and provides additional drama in his background and challenges.
There’s some delightful surprises in this tale. I particularly loved the role of the stray cat (a real cat, not Ryder) who appears briefly early on, then makes a cheer rousing return later. The ending is perfect and the writing exquisite, I recommend it for everyone and give it 5 stars.
The author says:
“This novel is inspired by an actual book challenge that occurred in my daughter’s high school in North Carolina,” Roberts says. “She came home one day and said, ‘Mom, they’re banning books!’ A parent complained about The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes, and the school took it out of circulation. Eventually, the book was returned to the library shelves, after a public meeting and a review committee assessment. However, in the process, the English teacher resigned.
“What I learned in writing this book and in raising my daughters is that books can never be allowed to disappear from the shelves without a squeak. We must say something; explode the discussion in letters, e-mails, tweets, and public meetings. We must never let censorship dissolve into the dark.”
.
When a group of influential women decide to remove “undesirable” books from the school library, Antigone Brown, a woman with dyslexia who keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child stands up for people’s rights to determine what they will read rather than having a bunch of self appointed guardians of local morality do it for them. Antigone ponders: how do we protect our children from the world but save the world for our children?
The story strips the issue of censorship down to its bare bones of power and control through showing us the differing perspectives and personalities of the main characters. The characters of Antigone, Sam and Ryder are adorable with delightful quirks to give them plenty of pizzazz for someone like me who usually reads fantasy. Antigone has trouble reading road signs but is addicted to driving for long hours to escape from stressful situations and never gets lost – until she gets pregnant. Her husband Sam is directionally challenged – he gets lost all the time – and makes sculptures out of old car parts while waiting for his wife to return. Ryder is a run away teen that Antigone picks up and brings home like a stray cat. His story adds a wonderful extra layer on the meaning of family and friendship and provides additional drama in his background and challenges.
There’s some delightful surprises in this tale. I particularly loved the role of the stray cat (a real cat, not Ryder) who appears briefly early on, then makes a cheer rousing return later. The ending is perfect and the writing exquisite, I recommend it for everyone and give it 5 stars.
The author says:
“This novel is inspired by an actual book challenge that occurred in my daughter’s high school in North Carolina,” Roberts says. “She came home one day and said, ‘Mom, they’re banning books!’ A parent complained about The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes, and the school took it out of circulation. Eventually, the book was returned to the library shelves, after a public meeting and a review committee assessment. However, in the process, the English teacher resigned.
“What I learned in writing this book and in raising my daughters is that books can never be allowed to disappear from the shelves without a squeak. We must say something; explode the discussion in letters, e-mails, tweets, and public meetings. We must never let censorship dissolve into the dark.”
May 2, 2012
I reveiwed this book for the author.
The storyline of this book really hit home with me. Of course I'm a lover of books. I also suffer from dsylexia. Mine however is not as severe as Antigone's.
I loved the courage Antigone had to stand up to Irene and the Study Group. It couldn't of been easy given her dsylexia and Irene's standing in the community. Antigone did what was right though.
I personally don't believe in book banning. If you don't like a book you have every right to not read it and not allow your child to read it. However you do not have the right to dictate what someone else and their child can/can not read.
I also loved the story of Ryder. I was surprised that Antigone took him home with her. She had no idea about his past, he could of been dangerous. I think at the end Sam warmed up to Ryder.
I think the character Irene needs to stop worrying about unimportant things and spend more time with her own children. Irene complained that the books were dangerous to a curious child, even called them smut. However, in the book Irene only mentioned her 7 year old once and her teenager is out of control. I think she needs to clean up her own doorstep before walking through the doorstep of others.
I got lost in the story, felt like I was there in Mercy with them all.
The storyline of this book really hit home with me. Of course I'm a lover of books. I also suffer from dsylexia. Mine however is not as severe as Antigone's.
I loved the courage Antigone had to stand up to Irene and the Study Group. It couldn't of been easy given her dsylexia and Irene's standing in the community. Antigone did what was right though.
I personally don't believe in book banning. If you don't like a book you have every right to not read it and not allow your child to read it. However you do not have the right to dictate what someone else and their child can/can not read.
I also loved the story of Ryder. I was surprised that Antigone took him home with her. She had no idea about his past, he could of been dangerous. I think at the end Sam warmed up to Ryder.
I think the character Irene needs to stop worrying about unimportant things and spend more time with her own children. Irene complained that the books were dangerous to a curious child, even called them smut. However, in the book Irene only mentioned her 7 year old once and her teenager is out of control. I think she needs to clean up her own doorstep before walking through the doorstep of others.
I got lost in the story, felt like I was there in Mercy with them all.
November 18, 2012
Book of mercy.
Who would have thought that a white dyslexic female with a tendency to drive off to wherever the heart decrees, would meet up with a young black teenager who, basically told her when they first met, that she shouldn’t really talk to strangers that she didn’t know? Who knew he would become a very important part of her family and she’d be running an underground library after book banning at the local high school, became an important issue in her life?
It’s a real heartwarming story about book banning and the people it affects and how they deal with it.
If you get a chance to read it, read it, you definitely won’t be disappointed. It has everything. Comedy, a little intrigue, a little psychic and an very good best friend that’s a lawyer of a shark and not to be messed with, or trifled with for that matter. Not to mention an ex-marine that runs the local cafe that makes veggie burgers, who knows how to wield a bat really well.
Who would have thought that a white dyslexic female with a tendency to drive off to wherever the heart decrees, would meet up with a young black teenager who, basically told her when they first met, that she shouldn’t really talk to strangers that she didn’t know? Who knew he would become a very important part of her family and she’d be running an underground library after book banning at the local high school, became an important issue in her life?
It’s a real heartwarming story about book banning and the people it affects and how they deal with it.
If you get a chance to read it, read it, you definitely won’t be disappointed. It has everything. Comedy, a little intrigue, a little psychic and an very good best friend that’s a lawyer of a shark and not to be messed with, or trifled with for that matter. Not to mention an ex-marine that runs the local cafe that makes veggie burgers, who knows how to wield a bat really well.
August 22, 2012
Found this to be a lovely story and enjoyed reading it. I received this book as part of a giveaway and after much delay, finally did get down to read it. The title and the book cover are deceiving. One would think that this is probably a mystery or a thriller. Well, it is thrilling but it's more of a drama. The story is actually very refreshing and engaging. The characters are likeable and real.
The author captures the events of a small community very accurately and successfully shows how close knit the lives of the members are. The story revolves around two women -- one power hungry, typically hell bent on making everyone do whatever she wants. The other is a compassionate woman - ready to extend a helping hand to anyone and everyone. The book showcases the explosions that happen when the path of these two collide. Books are the order of the day. The delicate relationship between humans and animals is also explored.
Overall a very endearing story-line.
The author captures the events of a small community very accurately and successfully shows how close knit the lives of the members are. The story revolves around two women -- one power hungry, typically hell bent on making everyone do whatever she wants. The other is a compassionate woman - ready to extend a helping hand to anyone and everyone. The book showcases the explosions that happen when the path of these two collide. Books are the order of the day. The delicate relationship between humans and animals is also explored.
Overall a very endearing story-line.
September 17, 2012
It's clear why this tale of dyslexic Antigone (the daughter of two college research professors) and her fight against the women of Mercy, North Carolina, who take it upon themselves to safe the community and students by banning a selection of well beloved and respected books in the HS library was a finalist in the 2011 Midwest Book Awards.
The short work does a stellar job of making the characters as real and vivid as my own family members and neighbors. There are problems, real problems, addressed by real people. There are townspeople we don't much like, who are happy to walk all over others -- including Antigone, Ryder the inner city kid she takes in like her stray deer and the chef of her vegetarian restaurant, Antigone's husband, Sam, and a good handful of others.
These are characters I'll be thinking of for some time, wondering how they are faring and how their lives are unfolding.
Well done Ms Roberts. I'll be looking for Maud's House and other books by you.
The short work does a stellar job of making the characters as real and vivid as my own family members and neighbors. There are problems, real problems, addressed by real people. There are townspeople we don't much like, who are happy to walk all over others -- including Antigone, Ryder the inner city kid she takes in like her stray deer and the chef of her vegetarian restaurant, Antigone's husband, Sam, and a good handful of others.
These are characters I'll be thinking of for some time, wondering how they are faring and how their lives are unfolding.
Well done Ms Roberts. I'll be looking for Maud's House and other books by you.
December 27, 2011
It was a typical small town with it's problems. One of the problems was the Mercy Study Club. Local women who used financial power to accomplish things in town. The newest project on their list- books. In particular censoring what books the school library carries. It begins a fight this town may not survive. It's champion, Antigone Brown. Antigone goes to great lengths to save the books and the rights of the students.
Having grown up in a small town like this, I've seen these things happen and snowball out of control. I love seeing the light shined in the dark places of the small town's upper crust. The story is good and shows what one person can do to change things. Even if they are viewed as an outsider. I'm not a fan of the rambling. I think the story loses it's way at times and takes a bit to get back on track.
Having grown up in a small town like this, I've seen these things happen and snowball out of control. I love seeing the light shined in the dark places of the small town's upper crust. The story is good and shows what one person can do to change things. Even if they are viewed as an outsider. I'm not a fan of the rambling. I think the story loses it's way at times and takes a bit to get back on track.
September 3, 2012
When I first started reading Book of Mercy, I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. As a matter of fact, I was feeling frustrated because I had just put two really strange books I had downloaded aside and wasn't sure I was going to find anything worth sticking with. Thank goodness I chose Book of Mercy as my next read.
The reviews I've seen are right - there is absolutely nothing funny about censorship. There's also nothing funny about bullying (on any level - adult, child, physical, or emotional). There is something special about a woman who is willing to overcome her physical handicaps to care for others, grow a town, and set a stunning example for the way human beings should act - with compassion.
Book of Mercy is funny, well-written, and insightful. Read it!
The reviews I've seen are right - there is absolutely nothing funny about censorship. There's also nothing funny about bullying (on any level - adult, child, physical, or emotional). There is something special about a woman who is willing to overcome her physical handicaps to care for others, grow a town, and set a stunning example for the way human beings should act - with compassion.
Book of Mercy is funny, well-written, and insightful. Read it!
March 3, 2014
The story's about a small town where the social clique of women who lead it decide certain books are bad. Then they bully the librarian into banning them.
A dyslexic, pregnant woman takes issue. She wants her baby to be able to read any books that she as its mother, deems suitable. She does not want a committee telling her what's appropriate. For her baby. Or for her.
This isn't a ponderous tome moaning about the evils of censorship. It treats a touchy subject with a light hand and puts us in the heads of our heroine as well as the woman proposing the book banning.
While I suspect it won't change anyone's mind (pro or con) about censorship, it's an easy, understandable read.
A dyslexic, pregnant woman takes issue. She wants her baby to be able to read any books that she as its mother, deems suitable. She does not want a committee telling her what's appropriate. For her baby. Or for her.
This isn't a ponderous tome moaning about the evils of censorship. It treats a touchy subject with a light hand and puts us in the heads of our heroine as well as the woman proposing the book banning.
While I suspect it won't change anyone's mind (pro or con) about censorship, it's an easy, understandable read.
March 24, 2012
I loved this book. Author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartwarming tale about a serious subject. She nails the small-town atmosphere perfectly and all of her characters are completely believable - from the central few main characters, to the "club", the school board, the football coach, Ben, and the whole supporting cast. I was able to picture the farm, the deer, the houses, the bullies, and everything else almost like I was watching a movie. This is a wonderful book, wonderfully written. I will be looking for more from this author.
December 29, 2012
I loved this book! The author did a spectacular job with character development. Rarely do I read a book where I feel personally invested in each character in some way. Set in Mercy, North Carolina, this tale of book banning in a small town Southern community touches on so many more issues, including family relationships, homelessness, dyslexia, drug addiction, parenting, etc. I highly recommend this one!
August 31, 2013
The most enjoyable read this summer. The characters were well developed and interesting. The plot was filled with love, heartbreak, pain and passion. Censorship was the main theme of the book. For me swear words of any form ruin a novel, but surprisingly fit in to help tell the story in this novel about an inner city youth, a dyslexic mother to be and a town willing to fight for what they believe in both good and bad.
June 11, 2014
A bright, educated, compassionate woman takes in strays -- both human and animal. But she is dyslexic to such an extreme that she cannot read words on a page or a sign. So, how and why would she take on those who want to ban certain books in their small town in North Carolina? A very unusual story told well -- with some very unusual characters well-conceived and beautifully presented. A truly worthwhile read with substance and meaning. Well-edited.
January 16, 2012
Book banning is an important topic and usually one that makes most book-lovers burn with indignation, myself amoung them. (Don't tread on Harry Potter. Ever.) I thought the plot was good, and I loved the quirky characters, but the story seemed slightly rushed throughout the book.
April 11, 2012
A cute and interesting with a happy ending. Good read.
June 22, 2012
This was a great book. I enjoyed the character development and I would really like a sequel.
April 9, 2014
I loves this book. It is about facing your fears and weaknesses and carrying on regardless. it is about taking a stand for what you truly believe in no matter the opposition.
February 20, 2019
A fun, quick read about a serious subject - book banning and censorship. When a powerful women's civic group decides it is time to remove offensive books from the school library to protect the children of Mercy, North Carolina, a local citizen, Antigone Brown - who is barely keeping her own head above water - speaks out against them, risking everything she owns and everyone she loves.
At her website, Roberts says, "My books are about justice. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” So, my characters struggle with choices and with finding goodness and doing good when it is not always easy. We all want, most of all, inner peace and love. My wish for you is that you find both—and along the way, enjoy a good book or two." Book of Mercy is about justice and standing up for what is right, but it is also about power, bullying, tolerance, acceptance, love, and family with a dash of clairvoyance thrown in for good measure.
Roberts hasn't written much, but this one is a gem. I'm glad I read it. Should I read more of her work I would like to read Maud's House on which the well-reviewed 2016 film Maudie is based.
At her website, Roberts says, "My books are about justice. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” So, my characters struggle with choices and with finding goodness and doing good when it is not always easy. We all want, most of all, inner peace and love. My wish for you is that you find both—and along the way, enjoy a good book or two." Book of Mercy is about justice and standing up for what is right, but it is also about power, bullying, tolerance, acceptance, love, and family with a dash of clairvoyance thrown in for good measure.
Roberts hasn't written much, but this one is a gem. I'm glad I read it. Should I read more of her work I would like to read Maud's House on which the well-reviewed 2016 film Maudie is based.
April 3, 2019
This is a book about a woman who is dyslexic but not everyone knows since she does so many things. But when she gets upset she gets in her car and just drives not knowing where shes going. She got lost one time and ask this young black boy to help her find her way home . They got along well so she insisted he stay with her and her husband. She also just found out she was pregnant. Things were going on intown at the library this one lady wanted certain books removed from the library and gotten rid of Antigone the dyslexic lady said no. Freedom to have books. Everyone started dropping off books at her house so she decided to open her own library with all these books. Sam her husband started losing business then because of it. Antigone also had a deer farm whom some punk killed one of her deer. All this because of censoring books issue. Its show the problems that can happen over disagreements and also about how people need to get along.
May 26, 2020
I always enjoy reading a book that talks about books, libraries, and reading. This one explores the ideas of censorship and book banning, with the twist that the main character fighting the book ban is dyslexic. It started out slow, and I almost gave up on it. About 1/2 way through I was really hooked. The ending was a little disappointing, not because of any events or twists, but because the writing seemed to peter out. This book was between 4-5 stars, and if the ending had been stronger, I would have rated it four stars.
May 1, 2022
What a delightful read! Lovely story about a dyslexic woman with a heart of gold who takes on the "powers that be" when books are being banned in the library. Many times I found myself laughing out loud at quirky happenings or comments that were made. Join Antigone for the ride and hang on until the end. You may fall in love with characters as I did.
October 15, 2018
Really enjoyed this, reminded me of Anne Tyler or Fannie Flagg.
December 11, 2020
Bit of a beach read (re style), but fun reflection on resistance to southern library censorship.
February 25, 2016
This novel was a breath of fresh air, such a creative story and with so many captivating characters. The main Character Antigone suffers from severe Dyslexia, but she was also brought up by book lovers who instilled a love for books in her despite her frustrations with reading. She, Antigone is also a collector of strays whether they are animal or human and because of this we have a wonderful eclectic group of people, to read about. The story takes place in a small town in North Carolina, where certain members of a book group want to ban certain books from there school library. The author said that while she was writing the book, it lost its fire for awhile until her daughter came home from High School one day saying that they, the school was banning books, and the embers for her story were re-ignited, and what a fun and complex story she tells. It tackles everything from censorship to family values, to what is important in life. A great read.
February 15, 2016
I absolutely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a beautifully written life story with characters so real the reader feels she knows each and every one of them. It's a love story, but it's not a romance. It's the story of one woman who loves a man, her unborn child, a runaway, her neighbors, her town, and America's freedom. The story caught me at the start, and I devoured every single word and didn't want to put it down. I loved the fresh take on an old problem: censorship. I couldn't stop thinking about the issue and the freedom I enjoy as an American. Read this novel; you'll be glad you did!
November 23, 2015
Just ok book.
Easy reading, likeable characters, sometimes a little bit too charming to be believable. Main conflicting, the banning of books, it's solved in a way sort of easy and predictable. You can not hate this book, but it's hard to love it... with all the "craziness" of its characters they can't prevent to be a little cheesy as well. There's some sort of clairvoyant girl named Star, she I liked. Would have love to hear and know more of her.
Easy reading, likeable characters, sometimes a little bit too charming to be believable. Main conflicting, the banning of books, it's solved in a way sort of easy and predictable. You can not hate this book, but it's hard to love it... with all the "craziness" of its characters they can't prevent to be a little cheesy as well. There's some sort of clairvoyant girl named Star, she I liked. Would have love to hear and know more of her.
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