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A Plague of Mercies
A lethal plague sweeps the globe. Millions have died. Survivors are confined to their homes.
Gabriel passes his time in a small New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. During the plodding solitude of the lockdown, he observes several strangers in their nearby apartments. As he watches them struggle to survive a world at risk of extinction, he wonders about their lives—where they’re from, what they value, how they’re coping with a deadly contagion. All alone, he develops a vague yet important connection to these people, an affection for those who are struggling to survive isolation, fear and looming death.
Told in powerful, spellbinding free verse, Gabriel's observations grow deeper and more elaborate as the endless days pass. But when he and a woman from across the street begin to watch each other from afar, his imagination begins to collide with the bleak reality of the times.
Praise for A Plague of Mercies
"... a captivatingly unconventional love story ... brilliantly observant poetry that captures a dark moment in our recent history." —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Praise for Adam Pelzman's The Boy and the Lake
"Pelzman excels at creating an intensely atmospheric setting and revealing how it shapes his characters' identities and worldviews … The narrative is full of rich, descriptive language … a well-developed vintage setting and classic but thought-provoking coming-of-age theme." —Kirkus Reviews
Runner up for 2021 Selfies Book Awards U.S.
Praise for Adam Pelzman's Troika (A Cuban Russian American Love Story)
"Riveting drama and sensuous prose make for an unforgettable love story … [a] beautifully rendered debut." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Pelzman's talent and vision are formidable …" —Publishers Weekly
"… transcendent, magnetic, intoxicating …" —Bookreporter
EXCERPT
There is a woman who lives in a building in New York City,
on the Upper West Side.
A man just a few years older lives in a building across the street.
These two people live at the same elevation,
the same height,
one hundred feet above the pavement,
above the crust of the earth.
They can see into each other’s apartments.
Every night before the woman gets into bed
she puts on a threadbare gray shirt.
The shirt is long and sleeveless and extends down to her knees.
She turns off the ceiling light
and then turns on a nightlight near her bed.
The light casts an amber glow reminiscent of a campfire.
The man in the other apartment wonders if the nightlight
is the woman’s response to a fear of the dark,
to a threat real or imagined,
an antidote of sorts.
After she turns on the nightlight
she looks briefly through her window.
Perhaps she is reflecting on another day passed.
Perhaps she is considering the quality of her life,
or the quantity that remains.
Perhaps she is scanning the dark street for signs of life,
for hope in any of its many forms.
Gabriel passes his time in a small New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. During the plodding solitude of the lockdown, he observes several strangers in their nearby apartments. As he watches them struggle to survive a world at risk of extinction, he wonders about their lives—where they’re from, what they value, how they’re coping with a deadly contagion. All alone, he develops a vague yet important connection to these people, an affection for those who are struggling to survive isolation, fear and looming death.
Told in powerful, spellbinding free verse, Gabriel's observations grow deeper and more elaborate as the endless days pass. But when he and a woman from across the street begin to watch each other from afar, his imagination begins to collide with the bleak reality of the times.
Praise for A Plague of Mercies
"... a captivatingly unconventional love story ... brilliantly observant poetry that captures a dark moment in our recent history." —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Praise for Adam Pelzman's The Boy and the Lake
"Pelzman excels at creating an intensely atmospheric setting and revealing how it shapes his characters' identities and worldviews … The narrative is full of rich, descriptive language … a well-developed vintage setting and classic but thought-provoking coming-of-age theme." —Kirkus Reviews
Runner up for 2021 Selfies Book Awards U.S.
Praise for Adam Pelzman's Troika (A Cuban Russian American Love Story)
"Riveting drama and sensuous prose make for an unforgettable love story … [a] beautifully rendered debut." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Pelzman's talent and vision are formidable …" —Publishers Weekly
"… transcendent, magnetic, intoxicating …" —Bookreporter
EXCERPT
There is a woman who lives in a building in New York City,
on the Upper West Side.
A man just a few years older lives in a building across the street.
These two people live at the same elevation,
the same height,
one hundred feet above the pavement,
above the crust of the earth.
They can see into each other’s apartments.
Every night before the woman gets into bed
she puts on a threadbare gray shirt.
The shirt is long and sleeveless and extends down to her knees.
She turns off the ceiling light
and then turns on a nightlight near her bed.
The light casts an amber glow reminiscent of a campfire.
The man in the other apartment wonders if the nightlight
is the woman’s response to a fear of the dark,
to a threat real or imagined,
an antidote of sorts.
After she turns on the nightlight
she looks briefly through her window.
Perhaps she is reflecting on another day passed.
Perhaps she is considering the quality of her life,
or the quantity that remains.
Perhaps she is scanning the dark street for signs of life,
for hope in any of its many forms.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2023
19 people are currently reading
6488 people want to read
About the author
Adam Pelzman
5 books106 followersAdam Pelzman was born in Seattle, raised in northern New Jersey, and has spent most of his life in New York City. He studied Russian literature at the University of Pennsylvania and went to law school at UCLA. His first novel, Troika, was published by Penguin (Amy Einhorn Books) and later republished by Jackson Heights Press as A Cuban Russian American Love Story. He is also the author of The Papaya King (which Kirkus Reviews described as "entrancing" and "deeply memorable") and The Boy and the Lake (which is set in New Jersey during the late 1960s). His newest novel is A Plague of Mercies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 31, 2023
We are invited to see the view from Gabriel's window. He has thoughts and stories from the neighbors he watches. He's a people watcher, not a weirdo!
There's the woman in the building across from him who starts her day by opening the blinds, the lonely old man who lives underneath her, a socialite who always needs a buzz around her, an older couple.
We don't know how much of this is true because he doesn't know all of them but it's fun to hear him play The Sims with the people around him and it's top tier pandemic fiction with a dose of existential dread.
Gabriel finds comfort in the comfort of others and something is coming to his world that will put that to the test.
I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. This was a very uniquely structured book. It was thoughtful, clever, and interesting.
There's the woman in the building across from him who starts her day by opening the blinds, the lonely old man who lives underneath her, a socialite who always needs a buzz around her, an older couple.
We don't know how much of this is true because he doesn't know all of them but it's fun to hear him play The Sims with the people around him and it's top tier pandemic fiction with a dose of existential dread.
Gabriel finds comfort in the comfort of others and something is coming to his world that will put that to the test.
I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. This was a very uniquely structured book. It was thoughtful, clever, and interesting.
June 9, 2023
I think this story would make a great one man play it is about Gabriel who watches his neighbors across the way through his window. There is Sofia the single professional, the 2 30 year-old men who are newlyweds, the socialite an old man and an elderly couple throughout the book we hear Gabriel’s thoughts whether made up or factual about what he thinks of the people he watches and when the plague hits we get to hear how it affects and or diminishes their life. Gabriel does get lonely but his very vivid and vast imagination keeps him company and the reader entertained. His imagination is what for the most part, fuels The narrative and his pontifications keeps it even more interesting.. This is a thinkers book and a great read I thoroughly enjoyed it and although we only get to hear Gabriel‘s point of you that was just something about it that I do not want to look away not like in a car wreck situation but in a thoughtful thought-provoking standard that you know you want to hear the rest of. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It always amazes me when someone comes out with a book that seems to be original and awesome at the same time and I do believe this author has definitely done that. I received this book from NetGalley and Jackson Heights press but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes because I am blind and dictate my review.
May 16, 2023
A lethal plague sweeps the globe. Millions have died. Survivors are confined to their homes.
Gabriel, a recovering alcoholic and voyeur, passes his time in a small New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. During lockdown, he watches strangers struggle to survive a world at risk of extinction. All alone, he develops a vague connection to these people, an affection for those who are struggling to survive isolation, fear and looming death.
Gabriel's observations grow deeper as the endless days pass. But when he and a woman from across the street begin to watch each other from afar, his imagination begins to collide with the bleak reality of the times.
Told in free verse, a first for me, I personally struggled with this writing style and found the story quite melancholic. However, I can imagine many other readers finding poignancy and beauty within these pages.
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz.Net for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6.7.2023
Gabriel, a recovering alcoholic and voyeur, passes his time in a small New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. During lockdown, he watches strangers struggle to survive a world at risk of extinction. All alone, he develops a vague connection to these people, an affection for those who are struggling to survive isolation, fear and looming death.
Gabriel's observations grow deeper as the endless days pass. But when he and a woman from across the street begin to watch each other from afar, his imagination begins to collide with the bleak reality of the times.
Told in free verse, a first for me, I personally struggled with this writing style and found the story quite melancholic. However, I can imagine many other readers finding poignancy and beauty within these pages.
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz.Net for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6.7.2023
August 14, 2023
A Plague of Mercies, by Adam Pelzman
Thank you to BookSirens for this advance review copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this book written in free verse style. We get a birds eye view with Gabriel in his New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. Coping with a lockdown because of a deadly contagion, Gabriel observes various people in an apartment building across from his, as well as what is happening on the streets.
It captures a dark moment in all of our recent pasts. It is an unforgettable love story told in a most extraordinary and beautiful way. It is a story of survival, loneliness and reflections of past experiences. I look forward to reading more of Adam Pelzman’s books.
Thank you to BookSirens for this advance review copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this book written in free verse style. We get a birds eye view with Gabriel in his New York apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. Coping with a lockdown because of a deadly contagion, Gabriel observes various people in an apartment building across from his, as well as what is happening on the streets.
It captures a dark moment in all of our recent pasts. It is an unforgettable love story told in a most extraordinary and beautiful way. It is a story of survival, loneliness and reflections of past experiences. I look forward to reading more of Adam Pelzman’s books.
July 26, 2023
The writing in Plague of Mercies was something I've never come across. The entire book was written in a single narrative, observatory prose form and it took a few pages to get used to. The distinct writing worked for the plot because it was through the eyes of a man who was lonely and needed to feel a connection to the outside world by watching all his neighbors from the vantage point of his apartment. There wasn't a highlight or climatic plot but Plague of Mercies was still a cathartic read as someone who lived through the Covid pandemic.
On a deeper level, the book was also a reflection of the ebb and flow of life and how some people push through but others fall through. The one thing I thought was unrealistic was the ability to connect with someone who watches you from their window. Although the narrator, Gabriel's intention were completely harmless, I think the majority of folks get turned off by peeping tom, prying eyes or stalker behavior.
On a deeper level, the book was also a reflection of the ebb and flow of life and how some people push through but others fall through. The one thing I thought was unrealistic was the ability to connect with someone who watches you from their window. Although the narrator, Gabriel's intention were completely harmless, I think the majority of folks get turned off by peeping tom, prying eyes or stalker behavior.
June 20, 2023
This is more of a narrative poem, if I had to describe it as such. The prose and structure are poetic, but there is definitely a story being told, and a great one at that. This story, and the struggles of its characters, will resonate with anyone who experienced the COVID 19 pandemic, as will Gabriel's musings on time, and the return of the world to (*shudder*) "the new normal." The author made this book exactly as long as it should have been - it was succinct, but robust. There were times I teared up, which is what pushes this one to five stars for me. I would recommend this one for anyone who wants a quick, but significant and satisfying read. I'll probably re-read this one when a few more years have passed.
November 9, 2023
This book was great! A very quick read but captivating from the beginning! It was “rear window” but in the modern day! (Kinda) beautifully written prose that had me in near tears and laughing out loud. ❤️
May 31, 2023
A PLAGUE OF MERCIES by Adam Pelzman follows designer/inventor Gabriel before, during and after a worldwide lockdown in the face of a pandemic, a contagion that is slowly tearing its’ inhabitants apart.
Told from free verse, third person objective perspective, through the eyes and thoughts of Gabriel, A PLAGUE OF MERCIES is a voyeur into the lives of several people during the height of ‘the plague’. From his New York apartment, Gabriel is witness to the small, self contained units in the apartment across the street. In the city of millions, behind the drapes of his apartment, Gabriel watches as the lives of seven people unravel and unfold during a crisis that has all but shut down the world. From the gay couple, physicians on the front line of the epidemic hoping to adopt a child,to Sophie, the young single woman of whom Gabriel watches her every move, to the socialite that struggles without the affirmations of her friends and popularity, and the elderly couple struggling with age and disease, Gabriel ‘spies’ and waits, narrating about the what ifs and whys, the who and how, personally connecting with each without every actually having met.
Think ‘REAR WINDOW’ ™, A PLAGUE OF MERCIES follows one man as he lives vicariously through the comings and goings of seven people he has never met. Death will take some, while others leave for short periods of time, all the while Gabriel thrives through the philosophical and imagined connections he makes without ever having left his New York apartment. The premise is an intricate yet timely and romanticized take on the imaginings of one man’s experiences during ‘the plague’.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from free verse, third person objective perspective, through the eyes and thoughts of Gabriel, A PLAGUE OF MERCIES is a voyeur into the lives of several people during the height of ‘the plague’. From his New York apartment, Gabriel is witness to the small, self contained units in the apartment across the street. In the city of millions, behind the drapes of his apartment, Gabriel watches as the lives of seven people unravel and unfold during a crisis that has all but shut down the world. From the gay couple, physicians on the front line of the epidemic hoping to adopt a child,to Sophie, the young single woman of whom Gabriel watches her every move, to the socialite that struggles without the affirmations of her friends and popularity, and the elderly couple struggling with age and disease, Gabriel ‘spies’ and waits, narrating about the what ifs and whys, the who and how, personally connecting with each without every actually having met.
Think ‘REAR WINDOW’ ™, A PLAGUE OF MERCIES follows one man as he lives vicariously through the comings and goings of seven people he has never met. Death will take some, while others leave for short periods of time, all the while Gabriel thrives through the philosophical and imagined connections he makes without ever having left his New York apartment. The premise is an intricate yet timely and romanticized take on the imaginings of one man’s experiences during ‘the plague’.
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 20, 2023
Just shy few years after the colossal pandemic that hit the entire world, the after effects of COVID is still etched in my brain. I usually do away from reading books that has themes ike this but Plague of Mercies is both therapeutic and a treat to read.
Plague of Mercies is a hauntingly poignant novel that delves into the depths of human connection and resilience in the face of an apocalyptic plague. Set in a world where a deadly contagion has ravaged humanity, the story revolves around Gabriel, a man confined to his small New York apartment during a relentless lockdown
In the midst of the desolate solitude, Gabriel becomes an observer of his neighbors' lives, each battling their own demons and trying to navigate the bleak landscape of isolation, fear, and imminent death. Through the author's evocative prose, we are drawn into Gabriel's musings, as he wonders about their origins, their aspirations, and their coping mechanisms.
What makes Plague of Mercies truly exceptional is the subtle yet powerful thread of compassion that weaves through the narrative. Gabriel's isolated existence morphs into a shared experience as he develops a profound, albeit intangible, connection with these strangers. Their struggles and triumphs become his own, and readers are left with a deepened appreciation for the fragile yet resilient nature of the human spirit.
Plague of Mercies is a hauntingly poignant novel that delves into the depths of human connection and resilience in the face of an apocalyptic plague. Set in a world where a deadly contagion has ravaged humanity, the story revolves around Gabriel, a man confined to his small New York apartment during a relentless lockdown
In the midst of the desolate solitude, Gabriel becomes an observer of his neighbors' lives, each battling their own demons and trying to navigate the bleak landscape of isolation, fear, and imminent death. Through the author's evocative prose, we are drawn into Gabriel's musings, as he wonders about their origins, their aspirations, and their coping mechanisms.
What makes Plague of Mercies truly exceptional is the subtle yet powerful thread of compassion that weaves through the narrative. Gabriel's isolated existence morphs into a shared experience as he develops a profound, albeit intangible, connection with these strangers. Their struggles and triumphs become his own, and readers are left with a deepened appreciation for the fragile yet resilient nature of the human spirit.
May 19, 2023
I cannot recall ever reading a book like this one. I'll admit, the free verse was unusual and certainly a choice the author made, but it was so strange that it took only pages to get pulled into it and "forget" that this wasn't a standard fiction novel.
As I read, I kept remembering some things I've just accepted about the COVID-19 pandemic--I remember seeing publisher, agents, and even reviewers online speaking out against the idea of pandemic-related fiction. I can see their point, that maybe it's "too soon" for some of us. I think this book did a really good job of simply making that awful time a part of the setting without focusing on it in any way. This book isn't about death and disease... it's about struggling to survive and stay sane when you seemingly have only yourself for company.
While it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure, I think it's definitely something people should at least try. While it could certainly broaden people's tastes in fiction writing styles, I think a lot of readers are going to find some long-awaited peace from what all of us just went through in some way.
I received this book via NetGalley.
As I read, I kept remembering some things I've just accepted about the COVID-19 pandemic--I remember seeing publisher, agents, and even reviewers online speaking out against the idea of pandemic-related fiction. I can see their point, that maybe it's "too soon" for some of us. I think this book did a really good job of simply making that awful time a part of the setting without focusing on it in any way. This book isn't about death and disease... it's about struggling to survive and stay sane when you seemingly have only yourself for company.
While it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure, I think it's definitely something people should at least try. While it could certainly broaden people's tastes in fiction writing styles, I think a lot of readers are going to find some long-awaited peace from what all of us just went through in some way.
I received this book via NetGalley.
July 10, 2023
Read from May 25th, 2023 to July 10th, 2023. Written on July 10th, 2023.
Took me a long, long time but I was finally able to finish this amazing piece of poetry by Adam Pelzman. I will be honest, I'm always a bit reticent about reading books or watching tv series/movies that depict the pandemic that we went through since it wasn't that long ago that it happened, but this book is so perfect in the way it talks about it because we experience the past, present and the future of the pandemic through the lens of this troubled character as he sees his neighbours who he was never met before and know's nothing about except what he sees from his window.
The writing is so simple yet attractive, the enumerations work so well and the parentheses throughout the story really give it a more solid foundation for the reader. The way the story evolves and changes, the heartbreaks and the glimpses of hope, of possibility really make this an amazing piece of literary fiction.
And it may be fiction, but this could be the story of someone, somewhere. And I love to imagine that.
(Free ARC from NetGalley and Jackson Heights Press that I chose to review after reading)
Took me a long, long time but I was finally able to finish this amazing piece of poetry by Adam Pelzman. I will be honest, I'm always a bit reticent about reading books or watching tv series/movies that depict the pandemic that we went through since it wasn't that long ago that it happened, but this book is so perfect in the way it talks about it because we experience the past, present and the future of the pandemic through the lens of this troubled character as he sees his neighbours who he was never met before and know's nothing about except what he sees from his window.
The writing is so simple yet attractive, the enumerations work so well and the parentheses throughout the story really give it a more solid foundation for the reader. The way the story evolves and changes, the heartbreaks and the glimpses of hope, of possibility really make this an amazing piece of literary fiction.
And it may be fiction, but this could be the story of someone, somewhere. And I love to imagine that.
(Free ARC from NetGalley and Jackson Heights Press that I chose to review after reading)
August 12, 2023
A Plague of Mercies is a beautifully crafted novel that captivated me from the start. Not typically a reader of verse, free or otherwise, I found, within a dozen or so pages, a flow, or a rhythm to the writing, which fit the story perfectly – like taking a stroll at an easy pace, taking in the sights and sounds around me.
Who hasn’t looked out upon the homes or apartments around them and wondered what stories are being lived out behind the windows and doors of their neighbors? Far from being creepy, Gabriel is a dreamer – a creative storyteller, who paints a story in his mind of the lives that go on around him, assigning names, attributes, and quirks to the people he observes, while he trudges his own path through a time of uncertainty. He curates his characters with concern, empathy, and respect.
Far from being depressing, a Plague of Mercies is, for me, a book of hope and resiliency. In the face of an unknown, deadly pandemic, its characters are human and relatable … each walking through uncertainty and facing it with grace.
I enjoyed a Plague of Mercies as much as any book I’ve read in the last five years.
Who hasn’t looked out upon the homes or apartments around them and wondered what stories are being lived out behind the windows and doors of their neighbors? Far from being creepy, Gabriel is a dreamer – a creative storyteller, who paints a story in his mind of the lives that go on around him, assigning names, attributes, and quirks to the people he observes, while he trudges his own path through a time of uncertainty. He curates his characters with concern, empathy, and respect.
Far from being depressing, a Plague of Mercies is, for me, a book of hope and resiliency. In the face of an unknown, deadly pandemic, its characters are human and relatable … each walking through uncertainty and facing it with grace.
I enjoyed a Plague of Mercies as much as any book I’ve read in the last five years.
August 5, 2023
Told as a narrative poem we read the thoughts of Gabriel, a recovered alcoholic who passes the time looking thru his window in his Upper West Side apartment in Manhattan, mostly during the time of the pandemic. Those of us who lived thru this time in the same neighborhood as Gabriel feel completely identified with him, the situations he describes and the utter hopelessness we, as him, felt during this time. From the long lines to buy essentials, the stores and restaurants closed, the 7 pm clapping, the terror of seeing and hearing only the ambulances on the street, and the connections we felt with the people in the buildings across from ours.
Adam Pelzman has written a very original book that brings us back to a time we mostly want to forget but at the same time gives us hope with the new additions in the apartments across the street and new relationships forming, that tells us that life goes on and things will be okay.
Adam Pelzman has written a very original book that brings us back to a time we mostly want to forget but at the same time gives us hope with the new additions in the apartments across the street and new relationships forming, that tells us that life goes on and things will be okay.
September 26, 2025
I like this book. It takes place before, during and after the COVID-19 plague. One man in New York city in one of many high rises there observes tenants in the building opposite his building, but not in a creepy way. He makes up stories about who they are, what their life is like. Always happy lives for his window people. He views, not watches them.
COVID hits and he tells the story of the changes in the city and in those he views. He recognizes their sadness as he has sadness as well. Some live, some die, some he doesn't know what happens to them during this time.
After the plague leaves and people get back to "normal" he reaches out to one tenant in particular and they strike up a quiet friendship. He makes changes in his life and his friend stays.
You may not understand this if you didn't experience the COVID years, but I found it insightful, thoughtful and there is hope and potential as Gabriel would say.
COVID hits and he tells the story of the changes in the city and in those he views. He recognizes their sadness as he has sadness as well. Some live, some die, some he doesn't know what happens to them during this time.
After the plague leaves and people get back to "normal" he reaches out to one tenant in particular and they strike up a quiet friendship. He makes changes in his life and his friend stays.
You may not understand this if you didn't experience the COVID years, but I found it insightful, thoughtful and there is hope and potential as Gabriel would say.
June 16, 2023
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
I love reading “Lyrical Novels,” shows the writing abilities of an author. 50% of my liking (this work) was done by Camus’ quote (from his famous work, “The Plague”) at the onset of the novel.
“Brilliant work” would be an understatement for A Plague of Mercies. I knew what I had signed up for—existential fiction, inspired by Camus. And I got just what I’d needed. If the future generation needs to know how it feels to be mired in a deadly pandemic, this title should be picked up first.
The mundane details of the families (and individuals) mentioned in the novel make the narrative more realistic. Again, “brilliant work.”
I love reading “Lyrical Novels,” shows the writing abilities of an author. 50% of my liking (this work) was done by Camus’ quote (from his famous work, “The Plague”) at the onset of the novel.
“Brilliant work” would be an understatement for A Plague of Mercies. I knew what I had signed up for—existential fiction, inspired by Camus. And I got just what I’d needed. If the future generation needs to know how it feels to be mired in a deadly pandemic, this title should be picked up first.
The mundane details of the families (and individuals) mentioned in the novel make the narrative more realistic. Again, “brilliant work.”
June 30, 2023
This was a deftly woven series of vignettes about people living through the pandemic. COVID19 has affected us all, but its effect seems more concentrated and tragic with these characters who live alone or in pairs in NYC apartments. They are stacked tightly together in one building where they could easily help each other, but yet they become even more disconnected during the “plague.” I read this in two sittings because it’s hard to put down. Now, I’ll be looking for more books by Adam Pelzman.
December 28, 2023
Gabriel is stuck in his New York flat and takes this time to observe his neighbours. The book is written in a stream of consciousness from the third person, providing readers with an extremely visual description of the characters and their routines. As a result, Gabriel witnesses the change in his neighbours and the bursts of activities such as the arrival of EMTs and a neighbour getting sick. This is a rollercoaster of a read.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
August 9, 2023
The skill and thought that has to go into a novel written in verse just blows my mind. I loved the flow of this, it can take a bit to get used to, but once you understand it you can appreciate the beauty.
This story was engrossing, it completely pulled me in.
Great flow and attention to detail through the writing. I enjoyed the characters and the setting as well.
Great read, you will be blown away.
This story was engrossing, it completely pulled me in.
Great flow and attention to detail through the writing. I enjoyed the characters and the setting as well.
Great read, you will be blown away.
August 12, 2023
I do enjoy free verse stories and this was a good one. I was completely pulled into the story, and I could feel the main character's loneliness and the hopelessness he carried inside. I'm sure many can indeed identify with Gabriel's feelings, just as many lives have changed over the past few years here in the real world. Great writing, very enjoyable, and a book that makes you think. I'm sure I will be reading this one again.
May 26, 2023
Delicate and intricate, A PLAGUE OF MERCIES is a generous, careful, care-filled book, overflowing with grief, and also with grace. Set in the early days of the pandemic in New York City, this novel-in-verse is both a wrenching and resonant meditation on loneliness and loss, and a gripping page-turner that gestures, reaches, toward hope and toward possibility.
July 8, 2023
A Plague of Mercies is a beautiful novel written in free verse. Every word and every break is carefully chosen and crafted. You will find that you want to take your time and dissolve everything slowly, pause deliberately and circle back to pick up nuances that you missed before. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful. A gem of a book that I highly recommend.
July 9, 2023
A Must Read
Great book about one man during the pandemic. He watches his neighbors in the building next to his (he is not creepy, just a people watcher). Since he doesn’t know them he creates his own stories about who they are and their pasts as we find out about their lives in the present. The book is a microcosm of life in NYC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Great book about one man during the pandemic. He watches his neighbors in the building next to his (he is not creepy, just a people watcher). Since he doesn’t know them he creates his own stories about who they are and their pasts as we find out about their lives in the present. The book is a microcosm of life in NYC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 24, 2023
What a read, Adam’s attention to detail in his writing while bringing us a book that flows in verse so expertly was impressive.
Wholly unique and entertaining. I couldn’t get enough of the accurate, beautiful and emotional style that he applied to his writings.
Powerful themes and so much more. Must read!
Wholly unique and entertaining. I couldn’t get enough of the accurate, beautiful and emotional style that he applied to his writings.
Powerful themes and so much more. Must read!
September 11, 2023
This one took me a fat minute to finish and I definitely have mixed feelings (I think those two things coincide with each other), but it was definitely an interesting read (especially for book club to finally discuss, sorry for the delay yall..) Don't know whether or not I'll try more pandemic fiction in the future..
October 2, 2023
A surprising gem. An Eloquent journey. A shimmer of stream of consciousness accented with small pieces of outside information. The detail and the self-consciousness of the narrator drew me into the micro drama within the larger world events of this time. I found this compelling, powerful evocative and melancholy. The ending surprised me. I enjoyed the experience of this novel.
December 1, 2023
I loved everything about this book and was immediately drawn into the lives of Gabriel and his “friends” in the apartment across the street. It’s a tale about loneliness, fear, uncertainty and grief, and it’s a story of empathy, compassion and hope. I related to all of it. Beautifully crafted in free verse style, A Plague of Mercies is as unique as it is profound and compelling.
February 1, 2024
This was such an original and cleverly written book. The characters are introduced through Gabriel’s eyes and imagination and you feel empathy for them all by the books conclusion. We all lived through Covid, though experiencing it in different ways. This is how it felt from the perspective of a city dweller. Our book group had lively discussion after reading Plague of Mercies!
July 10, 2023
A couple, a woman, an older man, and others live across the street from Gabriel's building. Through his windows, his inquisitive nature makes him a silent observer. However, it's in their solitary moments and recurring events that intricately shape their lives that he catches glimpses. Using his unique perspective, he can capture many poignant moments, provoking contemplation and understanding.
Aside from reflecting on their lives, Gabriel also considers his own. In reminiscing about his commonalities with these people, he mentions his former wife with a sense of nostalgia rather than referring to her as an ex-wife.
My overall impression of this book is overwhelmingly positive. The carefully chosen words created a poetic landscape within the pages that enchanted me as an observer.
One of the characters touched my heart, and tears welled in my eyes. A poignant moment involved an elderly couple, where the wife displayed unwavering devotion to her husband as he battled dementia. It was evident how deeply cared she was as she calmly placed the gardening shears aside and gently blew on her husband's tea, preventing his mouth from being scorched. Every aspect of their story was a heartfelt demonstration of the power of love. Thus, this feeling has a profound impact on lives and relationships.
Amid the reading, I compared it to two brilliant films, "Rear Window" and "Amélie," for some details. Gabriel remembers the protagonist as he enjoys watching people with curiosity and intrigue unfold. As Amélie, his imagination infuses a creative spirit.
Finally, the author made an excellent must-read that must be read multiple times.
Worth a try.
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aside from reflecting on their lives, Gabriel also considers his own. In reminiscing about his commonalities with these people, he mentions his former wife with a sense of nostalgia rather than referring to her as an ex-wife.
My overall impression of this book is overwhelmingly positive. The carefully chosen words created a poetic landscape within the pages that enchanted me as an observer.
One of the characters touched my heart, and tears welled in my eyes. A poignant moment involved an elderly couple, where the wife displayed unwavering devotion to her husband as he battled dementia. It was evident how deeply cared she was as she calmly placed the gardening shears aside and gently blew on her husband's tea, preventing his mouth from being scorched. Every aspect of their story was a heartfelt demonstration of the power of love. Thus, this feeling has a profound impact on lives and relationships.
Amid the reading, I compared it to two brilliant films, "Rear Window" and "Amélie," for some details. Gabriel remembers the protagonist as he enjoys watching people with curiosity and intrigue unfold. As Amélie, his imagination infuses a creative spirit.
Finally, the author made an excellent must-read that must be read multiple times.
Worth a try.
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2023
This book is absolute perfection. A Plague of Mercies is beautifully written, the verse format really resonates.
A mystery with thrills and surprises along the way. I loved the characterization and drama.
A mystery with thrills and surprises along the way. I loved the characterization and drama.
April 18, 2024
This was a surprisingly interesting read, I’ve been trying to avoid books centered around COVID but I won a free copy of this book with the GoodReads giveaway. The writing style, and perspective of the main character really allowed me to see the world through his eyes.
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