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Little Mercies: A Novel
Coming soon! Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf will be available Jan 23, 2024.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 31, 2014
573 people are currently reading
19658 people want to read
About the author
Heather Gudenkauf
20 books9,760 followersHeather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Overnight Guest and her most recent thriller Everyone is Watching. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks. Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 25 countries and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Her books have been featured on many Best Of roundups including lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, Apple Books, GoodReads, and more. Her eleventh novel, The Perfect Hosts will be released on November 4, 2025. Heather lives in Iowa with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,802 reviews
May 24, 2020
4 stars - I really liked this novel! This is the first book I have read by Heather Gudenkauf and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. The story is told from two perspectives - children's advocate/social worker, mother of three, Ellen and ten-year-old Jenny. Both characters perspectives were equally interesting to me - I was drawn into their lives right from the start. It was an intense, highly emotional story that pulled at my heartstrings.
I was on edge while reading Ellen's story, my mouth hanging open in shock as I felt I personally witnessed the tragedy that happened to her - I felt so involved in the story that I wanted to jump into her life and somehow save the horrific situation.
Jenny was a ten-year-old girl, abandoned by her mother at an early age and left under the care of her alcoholic, neglectful father. My heart broke for her many times as she lived through things that no one should ever have to endure.
One of the main themes in this novel is the struggle that women (and men) have creating a work/life balance. The terrible tragedy that occurred in this book was a direct result of a mother being pulled in too many directions - putting the majority of her focus on work and losing focus on her family.
Reading this novel made me reflect on my own life and feel thankful for my current situation. I am so grateful and happy with my decision to give up my career and be a stay at home mom. It wasn't an easy decision, but one that I am thankful I made. I know many people might not agree with this or may be offended by it, but it's just my opinion and I certainly don't think negatively of mothers who keep their careers while parenting young children. Some mothers (and fathers) don't have a choice, so I feel very fortunate and appreciative that my situation allows me to stay at home with my children. For a lot of women (and men), I think it is challenging to juggle a high-pressure career and parenthood. It is next to impossible to give 100% of yourself to your job while at the same time giving 100% to your family - one or the other usually suffers as this book shows in detail. I admire the people who seem to truly pull it off - it's not an easy feat.
Another theme in this book is the strength of the mother/child bond. This was also one of the main themes in the novel "The Kindness of Strangers" by Katrina Kittle which I recently read. It is proven that a child is willing to endlessly forgive neglectful and abusive situations imposed on them by their mother if it means they can stay with them. The love that a child has for their mother is irrepressible - they will continuously excuse and protect their mother. I am baffled and fascinated by this notion that children will choose to remain in a harmful situation if it means they can stay with their mother - such power a mother holds! These abused, innocent children can come up with endless excuses to justify the neglectful behaviours and constantly "hope" their mother will change for the better. It's simply heartbreaking.
The writing of this story was 5 stars for me - I will definitely be reading more of Gudenkauf's books! What prompted me to drop one star was some of Ellen's choices toward the end of the novel as well as some "convenient" situations that occurred at the end. The terrible tragedy that Ellen endured at the start of the book was due to making the mistake of putting too much focus on work instead of family. Yet toward the end of the novel, she once again chooses work over family when she decides to skip the important meeting with her lawyer to instead help a neglected child. While I commend her on her empathy for this child, she is once again putting her own family at risk - did she not learn anything from her huge mistake? I was very upset and frustrated with her and I lost some sympathy for her at that point. The ending also had a couple very "convenient" situations which took away from this being a 5 star read. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
I was on edge while reading Ellen's story, my mouth hanging open in shock as I felt I personally witnessed the tragedy that happened to her - I felt so involved in the story that I wanted to jump into her life and somehow save the horrific situation.
Jenny was a ten-year-old girl, abandoned by her mother at an early age and left under the care of her alcoholic, neglectful father. My heart broke for her many times as she lived through things that no one should ever have to endure.
One of the main themes in this novel is the struggle that women (and men) have creating a work/life balance. The terrible tragedy that occurred in this book was a direct result of a mother being pulled in too many directions - putting the majority of her focus on work and losing focus on her family.
Reading this novel made me reflect on my own life and feel thankful for my current situation. I am so grateful and happy with my decision to give up my career and be a stay at home mom. It wasn't an easy decision, but one that I am thankful I made. I know many people might not agree with this or may be offended by it, but it's just my opinion and I certainly don't think negatively of mothers who keep their careers while parenting young children. Some mothers (and fathers) don't have a choice, so I feel very fortunate and appreciative that my situation allows me to stay at home with my children. For a lot of women (and men), I think it is challenging to juggle a high-pressure career and parenthood. It is next to impossible to give 100% of yourself to your job while at the same time giving 100% to your family - one or the other usually suffers as this book shows in detail. I admire the people who seem to truly pull it off - it's not an easy feat.
Another theme in this book is the strength of the mother/child bond. This was also one of the main themes in the novel "The Kindness of Strangers" by Katrina Kittle which I recently read. It is proven that a child is willing to endlessly forgive neglectful and abusive situations imposed on them by their mother if it means they can stay with them. The love that a child has for their mother is irrepressible - they will continuously excuse and protect their mother. I am baffled and fascinated by this notion that children will choose to remain in a harmful situation if it means they can stay with their mother - such power a mother holds! These abused, innocent children can come up with endless excuses to justify the neglectful behaviours and constantly "hope" their mother will change for the better. It's simply heartbreaking.
The writing of this story was 5 stars for me - I will definitely be reading more of Gudenkauf's books! What prompted me to drop one star was some of Ellen's choices toward the end of the novel as well as some "convenient" situations that occurred at the end. The terrible tragedy that Ellen endured at the start of the book was due to making the mistake of putting too much focus on work instead of family. Yet toward the end of the novel, she once again chooses work over family when she decides to skip the important meeting with her lawyer to instead help a neglected child. While I commend her on her empathy for this child, she is once again putting her own family at risk - did she not learn anything from her huge mistake? I was very upset and frustrated with her and I lost some sympathy for her at that point. The ending also had a couple very "convenient" situations which took away from this being a 5 star read. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
Quite honestly, Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf is one of the BEST, emotionally charged books I've ever read!!
*Audiobook* Narrators
Kate Rudd ~ 5★'s
Tanya Eby Sirois ~ 5★'s
Ellen Moore is a seasond social worker.
She's seen it all. All the unfathomable autrosities of abuse and neglect that children endure in her thirteen years on the job.
One scorching summer morning Ellen and her husband, Adam, wake up late. They rush to get dressed, getting their children up, fed, and into the car in order to get to the events that they are very late for. Adam is off to his coaching practice, Ellen to a meeting at work. On the short drive to the office Ellen gets a frantic call from a child in her care that her mother is fighting with an abusive ex-boyfriend whom she has a restraining order against. Ellen shifts priorities in an instant from the meeting to children's lives. She calls the police then tells the child she's coming, right now, and to hold tight. Once there, the children's welfare is taking all her concentration, as is always the case, when there is a commotion behind them in the street, shouts, breaking glass. When Ellen finally turns, she sees that it's her van window that's been broken and then....
Horrified, she sees her 11 month old infant, Avery, limp, a tint of blue around her mouth is pulled out of the van door. Why was Avery in the van? Ellen, frantically searches her mind for some clue, some recollection of putting her baby in the van. She comes up with nothing. She did not put Avery in her car seat. She is absolutely certain about that.
Disbelievingly she realizes that Avery has been in the sweltering van for 45 minutes. Ellen, a seasond social worker who's job it is to protect children from every unthinkable situation, has been so focused on the children assigned to her care, that she has left her own baby to broil in the hot van. Now, Ellen is at the mercy of the very system she works for, and her life is about to become a living hell. And that's if Avery survives.
10 year old, Jenny Baird has been living with her father full time ever since her mother's boyfriend used her as a punching bag at the age of four. Now, once again, her father has lost his job and they will be taking a bus to a new town where he assures her that he will be working with a friend's construction business. Jenny is finding seats on the bus while her father chats with a women he's never met. This, being nothing new, Jenny dutifully chooses seats and waits for him to join her. Then, through the bus window, she see's some men approach her father and just as suddenly, the police are there. Frozen, she watches the scene unfold, unable to move or make a sound. Then, almost without thinking, Jenny decides to remain on the bus, leaving her father behind. When she arrives, she discovers that she's in the place on the envelope her maternal grandmother sent her over six years before. On her own, she begins her journey to find her grandmother, whom she's never met.
Inexplicably, Ellen and Jenny's paths cross and become entwined. Neither want anything to do with the other. Each is at the most desperate time of their lives, caught up together in the spinning wheels of the system. Does life have even a few little mercies left for Ellen or Jenny?
I took the time to absorb the emotional responses I was left with once the last word was spoken before writing my review. Firstly, because I had to get past the WOW! Just WOW! that my mind was screaming and secondly, I couldn't write with the tears that were filling my eyes and running down my cheeks.
To put it into perspective, I don't usually cry easily when it comes to reading. And so, here are my thoughts.
Little Mercies is a gut wrenching, heart crushing story that moved me more than any book I've read in a very long time. Heather Gudenkauf's writing is as beautiful as the story is cruel, laden with emotions that are physically palpable. She paints two stories so real that I could literally feel the fear, the weight of reality that Ellen and Jenny were experiencing as the story unfolds.
I highly recommend this book! Especially in the audiobook format. I just sat, doing nothing else, thinking nothing else, while the book played. I was transfixed, held hostage, completely and hoplessly unable to stop listening as narrators Kate Rudd & Tanya Eby Sirois expertly transformed Heather Gudenkauf's words into a thick series of emotions from every range of the spectrum.
Little Mercies will stick firmly in my mind and heart for a very long time. I mean that in the very best way! Absolutely Irresistible!
*************************************
I'm going to start a including a ★ rating for the narrative part of each audiobook as the narration component counts for at least 50% of the success of an audiobook, IMHO.
This will accompanie each audiobook I listen to so that once you become familiar with it you'll only need to look at my ratings and comments for the narrator(s) of the book. It will be at the bottom of my review and above the **** dividing line.
I hope this adds an improved consistency in my ratings and reviews of beloved audiobooks!
*** Owl,s *Audiobook* scoring....
For me, there are two factors concerning the narration performance of an audiobook that are the most important.
First, the tone and sound of the narrator's voice as they transform the author's written words into sound, changing the visual book into an audible replica that's a pleasure to listen to.
Second, the narrator's story-telling shouldn't distract the listener from the book.
ie a grating or harshness to thier voice that sets your teeth on edge is not going to make the grade.
I listen for a smooth, free-flowing, natural quality in the cadence of their voice, genuine emotion should easily pull the reader into feeling whatever emotion(s) the author has intended the reader to feel. A narrator should be able to effortlessly and precisely evoke the emotion(s) the author has intended for his/her readers to experience.
Choppy, emotionless, &/or flat is not acceptable. Further, if a listener would benefit more by doing the reading him or her selves it defeates the purpose of an audiobook entirely.
Any degree of a poor narrational performance is absolutely unfair to the author on so many levels!
Of course this is all subjective and I'll rate is as honestly as I can. =o)
*Audiobook* Narrators
Kate Rudd ~ 5★'s
Tanya Eby Sirois ~ 5★'s
Ellen Moore is a seasond social worker.
She's seen it all. All the unfathomable autrosities of abuse and neglect that children endure in her thirteen years on the job.
One scorching summer morning Ellen and her husband, Adam, wake up late. They rush to get dressed, getting their children up, fed, and into the car in order to get to the events that they are very late for. Adam is off to his coaching practice, Ellen to a meeting at work. On the short drive to the office Ellen gets a frantic call from a child in her care that her mother is fighting with an abusive ex-boyfriend whom she has a restraining order against. Ellen shifts priorities in an instant from the meeting to children's lives. She calls the police then tells the child she's coming, right now, and to hold tight. Once there, the children's welfare is taking all her concentration, as is always the case, when there is a commotion behind them in the street, shouts, breaking glass. When Ellen finally turns, she sees that it's her van window that's been broken and then....
Horrified, she sees her 11 month old infant, Avery, limp, a tint of blue around her mouth is pulled out of the van door. Why was Avery in the van? Ellen, frantically searches her mind for some clue, some recollection of putting her baby in the van. She comes up with nothing. She did not put Avery in her car seat. She is absolutely certain about that.
Disbelievingly she realizes that Avery has been in the sweltering van for 45 minutes. Ellen, a seasond social worker who's job it is to protect children from every unthinkable situation, has been so focused on the children assigned to her care, that she has left her own baby to broil in the hot van. Now, Ellen is at the mercy of the very system she works for, and her life is about to become a living hell. And that's if Avery survives.
10 year old, Jenny Baird has been living with her father full time ever since her mother's boyfriend used her as a punching bag at the age of four. Now, once again, her father has lost his job and they will be taking a bus to a new town where he assures her that he will be working with a friend's construction business. Jenny is finding seats on the bus while her father chats with a women he's never met. This, being nothing new, Jenny dutifully chooses seats and waits for him to join her. Then, through the bus window, she see's some men approach her father and just as suddenly, the police are there. Frozen, she watches the scene unfold, unable to move or make a sound. Then, almost without thinking, Jenny decides to remain on the bus, leaving her father behind. When she arrives, she discovers that she's in the place on the envelope her maternal grandmother sent her over six years before. On her own, she begins her journey to find her grandmother, whom she's never met.
Inexplicably, Ellen and Jenny's paths cross and become entwined. Neither want anything to do with the other. Each is at the most desperate time of their lives, caught up together in the spinning wheels of the system. Does life have even a few little mercies left for Ellen or Jenny?
I took the time to absorb the emotional responses I was left with once the last word was spoken before writing my review. Firstly, because I had to get past the WOW! Just WOW! that my mind was screaming and secondly, I couldn't write with the tears that were filling my eyes and running down my cheeks.
To put it into perspective, I don't usually cry easily when it comes to reading. And so, here are my thoughts.
Little Mercies is a gut wrenching, heart crushing story that moved me more than any book I've read in a very long time. Heather Gudenkauf's writing is as beautiful as the story is cruel, laden with emotions that are physically palpable. She paints two stories so real that I could literally feel the fear, the weight of reality that Ellen and Jenny were experiencing as the story unfolds.
I highly recommend this book! Especially in the audiobook format. I just sat, doing nothing else, thinking nothing else, while the book played. I was transfixed, held hostage, completely and hoplessly unable to stop listening as narrators Kate Rudd & Tanya Eby Sirois expertly transformed Heather Gudenkauf's words into a thick series of emotions from every range of the spectrum.
Little Mercies will stick firmly in my mind and heart for a very long time. I mean that in the very best way! Absolutely Irresistible!
*************************************
I'm going to start a including a ★ rating for the narrative part of each audiobook as the narration component counts for at least 50% of the success of an audiobook, IMHO.
This will accompanie each audiobook I listen to so that once you become familiar with it you'll only need to look at my ratings and comments for the narrator(s) of the book. It will be at the bottom of my review and above the **** dividing line.
I hope this adds an improved consistency in my ratings and reviews of beloved audiobooks!
*** Owl,s *Audiobook* scoring....
For me, there are two factors concerning the narration performance of an audiobook that are the most important.
First, the tone and sound of the narrator's voice as they transform the author's written words into sound, changing the visual book into an audible replica that's a pleasure to listen to.
Second, the narrator's story-telling shouldn't distract the listener from the book.
ie a grating or harshness to thier voice that sets your teeth on edge is not going to make the grade.
I listen for a smooth, free-flowing, natural quality in the cadence of their voice, genuine emotion should easily pull the reader into feeling whatever emotion(s) the author has intended the reader to feel. A narrator should be able to effortlessly and precisely evoke the emotion(s) the author has intended for his/her readers to experience.
Choppy, emotionless, &/or flat is not acceptable. Further, if a listener would benefit more by doing the reading him or her selves it defeates the purpose of an audiobook entirely.
Any degree of a poor narrational performance is absolutely unfair to the author on so many levels!
Of course this is all subjective and I'll rate is as honestly as I can. =o)
November 21, 2021
Iowa resident Ellen Moore is a loving wife, good mother, and dedicated social worker. In the course of her job Ellen has dealt with dysfunctional families, removed children from abusive/neglectful homes, and sometimes brought parents and children back together.
Nevertheless, the system sometimes failed and Ellen is haunted by cases where children suffered terrible deaths.
Then one morning, the unthinkable occurs. Ellen and her husband Adam, running late and harried, fail to communicate.
As a result Ellen inadvertently leaves her baby daughter Avery in a steaming car. This type of accident could literally happen to almost anybody but - in the eyes of the law and the public - Ellen is instantly dubbed a criminally neglectful parent.
A parallel story line involves ten-year-old Jenny, who was deserted by her mother years ago and now lives with her alcoholic, petty thief father who can't keep a job. Jenny's dad plans to move them from Nebraska to Iowa for new employment but gets arrested at the bus station, resulting in Jenny making the trip alone.
As fate would have it Jenny ends up in the Iowa town where Ellen lives.
The book alternates between two narrators: Jenny and Ellen. Jenny is a brave and savvy ten-year-old and manages well during her bus trip, a solo meal in a pancake restaurant, and a detour to look for a relative.
Luckily Jenny meets a kindly waitress named Maudene who takes her in and helps her.
Meanwhile, Ellen is in a state of high anxiety, in danger of losing her family and her job.
Though Ellen's plight does elicit sympathy I found myself getting annoyed with her constant complaints about her situation.
As the story proceeds Jenny's and Ellen's parallel story lines merge resulting in a learning experience for everyone. In the end this is a book about families: how parents and children affect each other's lives.
I found the premise of the book - a social worker accused of mistreating a child - intriguing and I was interested to follow Ellen's experiences with family, friends, and the law. Jenny's tale was also compelling but less believable. At every step it seemed like Jenny had a fairy godmother looking out for her, which felt unrealistic. Still, the book tackles a sensitive subject in a sympathetic fashion and is worth reading.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
July 15, 2017
The early morning rush was nothing new for dedicated social worker Ellen Moore – Adam, her husband and their three children all went in different directions most days, so leaving Adam at home with the children while she rushed off to work, knowing she was going to be late yet again, was normal. But Ellen had a phone call from the young daughter of a client and her immediate response was to change directions and head for the house, hoping desperately that she wasn’t too late.
The heat was blistering – the air heavy and relentless; but Ellen and the police did their best under bad circumstances. It was only the disturbance behind them; the smashing and yelling of frantic voices, which alerted Ellen to a problem. And her life changed and shattered in that instant.
Jenny Briard was ten years old and her love for her irresponsible father was real. But when they were separated and Jenny was on her own in a bus heading away from him, she wasn’t sure what to do. Older than her years through necessity, she was usually smart enough to keep herself safe and hidden – when she encountered the kindness of a waitress, it meant everything to Jenny, but could she trust her?
Little Mercies is another brilliant psychological thriller by Heather Gudenkauf – every book I’ve read by this author has been to the same standard – high! Gripping and intense; the plot is one that sadly, could and has happened on many occasions. The emotional tension; the heartache; the guilt and trauma – it’s all there. I have no hesitation in recommending Little Mercies highly.
The heat was blistering – the air heavy and relentless; but Ellen and the police did their best under bad circumstances. It was only the disturbance behind them; the smashing and yelling of frantic voices, which alerted Ellen to a problem. And her life changed and shattered in that instant.
Jenny Briard was ten years old and her love for her irresponsible father was real. But when they were separated and Jenny was on her own in a bus heading away from him, she wasn’t sure what to do. Older than her years through necessity, she was usually smart enough to keep herself safe and hidden – when she encountered the kindness of a waitress, it meant everything to Jenny, but could she trust her?
Little Mercies is another brilliant psychological thriller by Heather Gudenkauf – every book I’ve read by this author has been to the same standard – high! Gripping and intense; the plot is one that sadly, could and has happened on many occasions. The emotional tension; the heartache; the guilt and trauma – it’s all there. I have no hesitation in recommending Little Mercies highly.
June 1, 2020
Heather Gudenkauf will be joining us in The Behind the Pages group for a Spoiler-free Q & A June 2, 2020 @3:00pm EST to talk about her books and her writing process.
You can find the Q & A here to ask Heather a question or leave her a comment
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Little Mercies is a compelling, gut-wrenching, beautifully written story that explores a gut-wrenching situations and the emotions that comes with it. The story explores the child welfare system and the vulnerabilities of children from two perspectives, social worker Ellen and 10-year old Jenny.
Heather Gudenkauf skillfully put me in the shoes of our main character, social worker Ellen who has a lot on her plate with family and her caseload of vulnerable children. She shows us another side to the coin and explores the vulnerabilities of a parent here with Ellen.
Heather gave me a lot to think about here with the story and I thought it was a perfect one for now as she also brings hope with " the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good from the terrible" Little Mercies makes for a great group read and there is a few things to think about and discuss. I highly recommend it!
You can find the Q & A here to ask Heather a question or leave her a comment
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Little Mercies is a compelling, gut-wrenching, beautifully written story that explores a gut-wrenching situations and the emotions that comes with it. The story explores the child welfare system and the vulnerabilities of children from two perspectives, social worker Ellen and 10-year old Jenny.
Heather Gudenkauf skillfully put me in the shoes of our main character, social worker Ellen who has a lot on her plate with family and her caseload of vulnerable children. She shows us another side to the coin and explores the vulnerabilities of a parent here with Ellen.
Heather gave me a lot to think about here with the story and I thought it was a perfect one for now as she also brings hope with " the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good from the terrible" Little Mercies makes for a great group read and there is a few things to think about and discuss. I highly recommend it!
November 30, 2016
Working as a social worker, Ellen Moore has experienced more than her fair share of child abuse cases. And being a wife and mother herself, Ellen notices that most days she is exhausted not only physically, but also mentally. On a stifling hot summers day, Ellen is distracted and what happens next will turn her life upside down.
Ellen is trying to deal with her own problems when her path crosses with ten year old Jenny Briard. Jenny has been living rough with her father since her mother left them. Her father has no sense of responsibility what's so ever and they find themselves sleeping in various friends' houses or cheap accommodation. But then one day Jenny finds she is totally on her own with nowhere to go. With only a few dollars to her name she finds herself on the streets and this is where she meets Ellen.
But getting involved with a social worker is the last thing Jenny wants or needs, or is it? It seems Ellen and Jenny paths were intended to cross, but will they be able to help each other?
Little Mercies was a brilliant read and I thoroughly loved it. Highly recommended.
Ellen is trying to deal with her own problems when her path crosses with ten year old Jenny Briard. Jenny has been living rough with her father since her mother left them. Her father has no sense of responsibility what's so ever and they find themselves sleeping in various friends' houses or cheap accommodation. But then one day Jenny finds she is totally on her own with nowhere to go. With only a few dollars to her name she finds herself on the streets and this is where she meets Ellen.
But getting involved with a social worker is the last thing Jenny wants or needs, or is it? It seems Ellen and Jenny paths were intended to cross, but will they be able to help each other?
Little Mercies was a brilliant read and I thoroughly loved it. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2014
A book that serves as a caution to the many of us out there, working and raising families. How very easy it is to let something slip, how one mistake can have a serious outcome, quickly spiraling out of control. Also the look a the hard job of being a social worker, and the many terrible things that happen in families.
I love this author because her books are usually so different, quirky and surprising. This book was much more predictable, I pretty much guessed everything that would happen. That is not to say that this is not readable, it was, I read it avidly. The subject was a hard one and the author handled it well, but I guess I expected more, waited for some sort of surprise. This tugs at your heart strings but it is apparent that this is what the author tried to do. So a good read, but with a few reservations.
ARC from NetGalley.
I love this author because her books are usually so different, quirky and surprising. This book was much more predictable, I pretty much guessed everything that would happen. That is not to say that this is not readable, it was, I read it avidly. The subject was a hard one and the author handled it well, but I guess I expected more, waited for some sort of surprise. This tugs at your heart strings but it is apparent that this is what the author tried to do. So a good read, but with a few reservations.
ARC from NetGalley.
April 13, 2017
Ellen Moore is a seasoned social worker for the Department of Human Services who has had to make many tough, unpopular calls regarding the children she oversees. When she finds herself on the other side following tragic circumstances, Ellen has the opportunity to experience the impact of some of her past decisions. Meanwhile, 10-year old Jenny Briard suddenly finds herself alone in a strange city after being separated from her father. Her world collides with Ellen's and Jenny cannot believe her fortune as a social worker is the last person she wants in her life.
The story takes a hard turn early on and I got hooked. I could feel Ellen's pain and agony, Jenny's fear and trepidation. It was heart wrenching at times, frustrating at others when confronted with the bureaucracies of the system. The alternating points of view really worked for me as I knew they'd ultimately intersect but didn't know when or how. I liked the writing style, sparse for pace but detailed when outlining the characters and conveying the emotions of the moment. This is my first book by the author and I'll be looking for more of her titles.
The story takes a hard turn early on and I got hooked. I could feel Ellen's pain and agony, Jenny's fear and trepidation. It was heart wrenching at times, frustrating at others when confronted with the bureaucracies of the system. The alternating points of view really worked for me as I knew they'd ultimately intersect but didn't know when or how. I liked the writing style, sparse for pace but detailed when outlining the characters and conveying the emotions of the moment. This is my first book by the author and I'll be looking for more of her titles.
May 17, 2016
As someone who holds a Bachelors in Social Work, and is currently working on a Masters, I was VERY excited to read Little Mercies. I was pumped to read a book about a Social Worker, a self proclaimed advocate for children.
I was extremely disappointed.
I should start by saying that I've read one of Gudenkauf's other books, and I was less than impressed. I remember little about the book other than the fact that I didn't like it. So when I realized who had written Little Mercies, I was already in the car, on a roadtrip, with nothing else to read. That being said, I wanted to give the book a shot. I read it in one shot, in the car, which is lucky because if I had come home I probably would have just put it down.
This book paints social workers in a VERY negative light. The main character had little to no good things to say about her job, instead focusing on the horrible, horrible things she had seen. I was waiting for the book to go into anything to show that this person felt she made a difference but it never did.
Not only did I find the book unbelievable, but there was no mention or nod to the Social Work Code of Ethics. I would think, if you were researching for a book about Social Workers that you would stop at the Code first. It's essential to know and understand this code before one works. And frankly, the character was a chatter about her clients. Social Workers do not speak about one client with another, and this one did.
Not only that, but the characters were underdeveloped and secondary characters were used and then tossed into the wind. The cop who had feelings for the main character? Who knows what happens to him. He was just there to get her out of jail quicker. Her mom? Only useful in regards to the little girl when she wasn't being interrogated by her daughter. The main character? I just....can't.
This sounds horrible, and I can't believe I'm actually writing it down, but I wished about halfway through that it was a Jodi Picoult book. Picoult would have fleshed the characters out, she would have done more research in regards to SW. She never would just thrown that ending out.
Not only that, but the ending was simply too easy and unbelievable. Drama for drama's sake, and THEN the child Jenny had a nice clean ending. No. Absolutely not.
I'm not saying Social Workers are perfect or above others. I'm not saying Social Workers do not see their share of HORRIBLE things that make them question the world around them. I'm saying that Gudenkauf took what she wanted from Social Workers (which she had every write to do as her story deemed fit) and it was ABSOLUTELY NOT a full picture of the profession.
I was extremely disappointed.
I should start by saying that I've read one of Gudenkauf's other books, and I was less than impressed. I remember little about the book other than the fact that I didn't like it. So when I realized who had written Little Mercies, I was already in the car, on a roadtrip, with nothing else to read. That being said, I wanted to give the book a shot. I read it in one shot, in the car, which is lucky because if I had come home I probably would have just put it down.
This book paints social workers in a VERY negative light. The main character had little to no good things to say about her job, instead focusing on the horrible, horrible things she had seen. I was waiting for the book to go into anything to show that this person felt she made a difference but it never did.
Not only did I find the book unbelievable, but there was no mention or nod to the Social Work Code of Ethics. I would think, if you were researching for a book about Social Workers that you would stop at the Code first. It's essential to know and understand this code before one works. And frankly, the character was a chatter about her clients. Social Workers do not speak about one client with another, and this one did.
Not only that, but the characters were underdeveloped and secondary characters were used and then tossed into the wind. The cop who had feelings for the main character? Who knows what happens to him. He was just there to get her out of jail quicker. Her mom? Only useful in regards to the little girl when she wasn't being interrogated by her daughter. The main character? I just....can't.
This sounds horrible, and I can't believe I'm actually writing it down, but I wished about halfway through that it was a Jodi Picoult book. Picoult would have fleshed the characters out, she would have done more research in regards to SW. She never would just thrown that ending out.
Not only that, but the ending was simply too easy and unbelievable. Drama for drama's sake, and THEN the child Jenny had a nice clean ending. No. Absolutely not.
I'm not saying Social Workers are perfect or above others. I'm not saying Social Workers do not see their share of HORRIBLE things that make them question the world around them. I'm saying that Gudenkauf took what she wanted from Social Workers (which she had every write to do as her story deemed fit) and it was ABSOLUTELY NOT a full picture of the profession.
Read
April 21, 2020The Hook - You never know what one might pick up when the power goes out. I was in the middle of a digital book when bam, out when the lights. I started looking at the at least one hundred, if not more, unread books on my physical book shelves and somehow chose Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf. I think it was Publisher's Weekly's blurp and their starred review that hooked me. ”A tale so chillingly real, it could have come from the latest headlines.”
The Line - ”Jenny also wanted to tell her father, but wasn't quite sure how to put it into words, that the very worst kind of hurt was the kind that wasn't there yet, but you knew was slowing creeping toward you.”
The Sinker - What happens when a social worker who handles cases of neglect and abuse of children, finds herself arrested for child endangerment of her infant daughter.? Why? It is a case that could, well truly, has its reality in our world.
Certainly not a happy story for a day of severed storms shadowed by Covid-19 but a compelling one just the same. If truth be told I liked it but thought the rap up was a bit rushed and a little too pat.
The Line - ”Jenny also wanted to tell her father, but wasn't quite sure how to put it into words, that the very worst kind of hurt was the kind that wasn't there yet, but you knew was slowing creeping toward you.”
The Sinker - What happens when a social worker who handles cases of neglect and abuse of children, finds herself arrested for child endangerment of her infant daughter.? Why? It is a case that could, well truly, has its reality in our world.
Certainly not a happy story for a day of severed storms shadowed by Covid-19 but a compelling one just the same. If truth be told I liked it but thought the rap up was a bit rushed and a little too pat.
July 5, 2015
This was a great story that had me second thinking how I look at and judge others. The story focuses on Ellen who through a series of unplanned events ends up leaving her child in the car on a hot day. Is this a crime worthy of prosecution and punishment or a terrible mistake? Ellen is a social worker and has taken children away from their parents, now the tables have been turned and she is the one being investigated.
I finished reading this book in Mid-July. Just last week a story hit our local news about a mother whose child died from heat exhaustion after being accidentally left in a car. The 20th child to die in the U.S. this year. I can honestly say I reacted with much more compassion and empathy than I might have because of reading this book. I recognize how easily such an accident can occur.
After reading this book I read a really good article on forgetting a child in the backseat of a car in the Washington Post. It's worth reading for those who are interested.
Little Mercies is a page turning story that held my interest. Recommended to those who enjoy Women's Fiction/Literary Fiction/Family Drama type stories.
Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend
Content: some language
Source: Netgalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2014
Heather Gudenkauf has proven, once again, that she is a master storyteller.
She writes a gripping story about a horrific incident that happens, all too often, in society today.
Ellen a dedicated and hard working social worker juggles her marriage, raising three children and her demanding career. On a daily basis she witnesses the horrors inflicted upon children and does her best to remove them from that enviroment.
One day something happens, a moments distraction, which threatens the life of her child and everything she has worked for.
There is the equally heart-breaking ordeal of 10 yr old Jenny who has experienced both love and abuse in her short life.
The author alternates chapters between Ellen and Jenny until their stories intertwine.
A beautiful tale of healing and atonement, family bonds and all-powerful love, it makes one grateful for any little mercy.
"You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that come from the terrible."
She writes a gripping story about a horrific incident that happens, all too often, in society today.
Ellen a dedicated and hard working social worker juggles her marriage, raising three children and her demanding career. On a daily basis she witnesses the horrors inflicted upon children and does her best to remove them from that enviroment.
One day something happens, a moments distraction, which threatens the life of her child and everything she has worked for.
There is the equally heart-breaking ordeal of 10 yr old Jenny who has experienced both love and abuse in her short life.
The author alternates chapters between Ellen and Jenny until their stories intertwine.
A beautiful tale of healing and atonement, family bonds and all-powerful love, it makes one grateful for any little mercy.
"You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that come from the terrible."
January 11, 2018
Ellen Moore is haunted by the case of young Madalyn Olmstead. Although it was never proved, she believes James Olmstead killed her and got away with it. In her job as a social worker Ellen has seen numerous cases of the horrors inflicted on children. She has three children of her own, the youngest being Avery. One frantic morning after getting up late, Ellen says goodbye to her family and sets off for work on a blistering hot day. A short time later, she receives a desperate phone call from a young client that change her plans. This sets off a chain of events that has serious repercussions for her and her family.
Meanwhile, ten year old Jenny Briard, ends up in a situation she has no idea how to handle as she sees her father arrested while she is on a bus heading out of town. Since her mother left them years before, Jenny and her father have been living a life of too often being on the move. But this is the first time Jenny has been left to fend for herself. Her great fear is if social services find out she is on her own she will be sent to a foster home. And then Jenny meets Maudene who seeks only to help her.
I was sucked into this story from the first page and found it to be a compelling read. I was up till the early hours of the morning because I literally could not put the book down. I had to know what happened. Yes, there are a few things that are a bit co-incidental but to be honest I didn’t care because by then I was thoroughly involved with these characters. It is based on a story we hear about too often in the news, but this novel sets up plausible reasons behind the events.
I have read a couple of other books by this author and thought it would be a great read. I was not disappointed. Any book that can have me as emotionally involved as this one did, will be a winner as far as I am concerned. I could not turn the pages fast enough. My first gripping five star read of 2018.
Meanwhile, ten year old Jenny Briard, ends up in a situation she has no idea how to handle as she sees her father arrested while she is on a bus heading out of town. Since her mother left them years before, Jenny and her father have been living a life of too often being on the move. But this is the first time Jenny has been left to fend for herself. Her great fear is if social services find out she is on her own she will be sent to a foster home. And then Jenny meets Maudene who seeks only to help her.
I was sucked into this story from the first page and found it to be a compelling read. I was up till the early hours of the morning because I literally could not put the book down. I had to know what happened. Yes, there are a few things that are a bit co-incidental but to be honest I didn’t care because by then I was thoroughly involved with these characters. It is based on a story we hear about too often in the news, but this novel sets up plausible reasons behind the events.
I have read a couple of other books by this author and thought it would be a great read. I was not disappointed. Any book that can have me as emotionally involved as this one did, will be a winner as far as I am concerned. I could not turn the pages fast enough. My first gripping five star read of 2018.
January 12, 2019
The book covers some important topics such as motherhood, social workers, child abuse and personal feelings from the point of view of those involved The book covers the actions and feelings of the main characters by giving each a voice and the story moves from character to character as the story unfolds. Well worth a read and the author deals with the very deepest of emotions such as fear, loss and even hope... not only from an abused child's point of view but from a social worker who also has to deal with loss.
October 12, 2015
(304 pages in my copy before all the extra stuff at the back)
Flipping back and forth with the rating but I will say 2.5 stars... it didn't blow me out of the water but it wasn't horrible either...
Don't know what to say about this, on one hand it kept me turning the pages but on the other the main character Ellen annoyed me at times. I felt for her and her family but her inner thinking made it hard to have sympathy for her at times.
(Her mother and Adam, good-hearted people)
Jenny's story felt more authentic on the other hand, poor little girl... I wanted to give her a big hug and bake her some cookies. Her dad seemed like a decent guy who made bad choices. The twist with her mother and father was unexpected and scary when I think of what could have happened.
When the scene in the car happened, I had a feeling what was coming next but I'm glad I was wrong about one aspect of it.
Both endings felt wrapped up too neatly and cleanly. Don't get me wrong, I was happy for both parties in a sense but it felt like a bit of letdown after such a tension-filled ride.
Not my favorite of hers but not the worst either. She is a wonderful storyteller and I will be reading more of hers (got two lined up already:) ). I would advise starting with the prequel before this 'little lies' (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...) to get introduced to Ellen, Joe, Adam, and everyone.
Happy reading!
Here are two wonderful reviews of the book:
Rose's review here
Sara D's review here
Flipping back and forth with the rating but I will say 2.5 stars... it didn't blow me out of the water but it wasn't horrible either...
Don't know what to say about this, on one hand it kept me turning the pages but on the other the main character Ellen annoyed me at times. I felt for her and her family but her inner thinking made it hard to have sympathy for her at times.
(Her mother and Adam, good-hearted people)
Jenny's story felt more authentic on the other hand, poor little girl... I wanted to give her a big hug and bake her some cookies. Her dad seemed like a decent guy who made bad choices. The twist with her mother and father was unexpected and scary when I think of what could have happened.
When the scene in the car happened, I had a feeling what was coming next but I'm glad I was wrong about one aspect of it.
Both endings felt wrapped up too neatly and cleanly. Don't get me wrong, I was happy for both parties in a sense but it felt like a bit of letdown after such a tension-filled ride.
Not my favorite of hers but not the worst either. She is a wonderful storyteller and I will be reading more of hers (got two lined up already:) ). I would advise starting with the prequel before this 'little lies' (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...) to get introduced to Ellen, Joe, Adam, and everyone.
Happy reading!
Here are two wonderful reviews of the book:
Rose's review here
Sara D's review here
January 7, 2015
3-4 still thinking.
I have mixed thoughts about this one. I like Gudenkaufs style, quick and to the point writing, with very realistic characters. She tackles some tough subjects and shows the reader that horrible things do happen to good people. This story was no different. Usually her books lead the reader to a twist, but this time the "oh my" moment started off the story.
Though I liked both the characters of Ellen and Jenny and also liked the chapters being told from different viewpoints until their individual stories merged....I had a few issues with some "realities" of this. Not to spoil anything....but I don't think Jenny would have gotten as far as she did by herself...I think the authorities would have been waiting for her at the end of her bus ride. I also had some problems with no one contacting the authorities regarding her, just inviting her to "join the family". I realize that there were a lot of other things going on but I just didn't buy that. The 3rd thing that bothered me was with Ellen already being in big trouble, I didn't believe she would go after Ellen on her own (OK, she had her Mother along, but still)
Gudenkauf has a knack for taking a story right out of the headlines, making those involved into "real" people and telling their side of the story. I finished this with a lot of conflicting thoughts....things happen, bad things happen...and quite often to very good people. I may not be so quick to judge in the future.
I have mixed thoughts about this one. I like Gudenkaufs style, quick and to the point writing, with very realistic characters. She tackles some tough subjects and shows the reader that horrible things do happen to good people. This story was no different. Usually her books lead the reader to a twist, but this time the "oh my" moment started off the story.
Though I liked both the characters of Ellen and Jenny and also liked the chapters being told from different viewpoints until their individual stories merged....I had a few issues with some "realities" of this. Not to spoil anything....but I don't think Jenny would have gotten as far as she did by herself...I think the authorities would have been waiting for her at the end of her bus ride. I also had some problems with no one contacting the authorities regarding her, just inviting her to "join the family". I realize that there were a lot of other things going on but I just didn't buy that. The 3rd thing that bothered me was with Ellen already being in big trouble, I didn't believe she would go after Ellen on her own (OK, she had her Mother along, but still)
Gudenkauf has a knack for taking a story right out of the headlines, making those involved into "real" people and telling their side of the story. I finished this with a lot of conflicting thoughts....things happen, bad things happen...and quite often to very good people. I may not be so quick to judge in the future.
March 25, 2014
I just loved this book! I found it to be both gripping and emotionally moving, especially as a mother myself; I was in tears by the end of the book. Heather Gudenkauf does an amazing job exploring various mother/child relationships throughout LITTLE MERCIES - both good ones and bad - and explores the effect one huge mishap in parenting (something which, in all honesty, could happen to any of us, making it all the more terrifying) has on our protagonist Ellen Moore and her family. I'm so honored to have received an early copy of LITTLE MERCIES, and am looking forward to the prequel, LITTLE LIES, a novella which will be released May 1st. Be sure to check them both out! Yet another winner from Heather Gudenkauf!
July 25, 2017
I devoured this book. I couldn't put it down, not even for a second. This grabbed me from page one and didn't let me go until the very last page. This would be a great choice for book club. The book alternated back and forth between Jenny and Ellen. Jenny, an eleven year old girl who longed for nothing more than a family to call her own. Ellen, a fiercely passionate social worker with a husband and three young children. One day, boom. Tragedy strikes. All of a sudden, Ellen's perfectly managed world suddenly becomes completely and utterly unmanageable. This is a tour de force. I can't wait to read more of this author's work.
July 17, 2014
A social worker charged with child negligence? A ten-year old left alone? What do Ellen and Jenny have in common?
The common thread has built a beautifully written story by Ms. Gudenkauf. It deals with social services from the adult and the child's side and what can easily happen both good and bad.
You will feel Ellen's pain as she deals with an accident she herself as a social worker deals with every day but with a situation she never thought she would have to personally deal with.
You will want to hug Jenny and take her home with you. How could a ten-year old have to deal with so much?
I was a bit worried LITTLE MERCIES was going to be too intense for me when I first started reading, but the author's writing style is so amazing along with the storyline that you don't want to stop. You "must" continue to see how things turn out.
LITTLE MERCIES allows the reader into the world of social services and lives of children that most of us don't know about and don't have to live through.
LITTLE MERCIES is a book that tears your heart apart, but has wonderful lessons about life and things to think about. The meaning of the book's title is explained as you read, and I enjoyed the meaning because it is so true. I started looking for "little mercies" in my own life.
I would put LITTLE MERCIES on your must read list. It is a book that will take you to a world people actually live through and make you glad you do not, but it will also make you realize that family is the most important element we have, and we should count our blessings.
My rating is a HUGE 5/5.
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
Another great book written by Heather Gudenkauf!
I started reading her novel, when I came upon the "one small mistake [that] can have a life-altering consequence" (around page 50) and I almost put the book down. I just didn't think I could go on. Especially since this "mistake" is currently monopolizing our own headlines today! I thought, Do I really want to read about this? Then I said, Just one more page.....
The author's books are so emotionally charged and engaging that I was pulled right into the story and couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
I'm going to go and see when her next book is due out! Lol
I started reading her novel, when I came upon the "one small mistake [that] can have a life-altering consequence" (around page 50) and I almost put the book down. I just didn't think I could go on. Especially since this "mistake" is currently monopolizing our own headlines today! I thought, Do I really want to read about this? Then I said, Just one more page.....
The author's books are so emotionally charged and engaging that I was pulled right into the story and couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
I'm going to go and see when her next book is due out! Lol
September 16, 2024
I couldn't put this one down. Any mom can relate to this book. It made me hug my kids a little tighter.
November 7, 2015
Another reviewer on Goodreads said, "Little Mercies is a light read about a heavy topic." I couldn't agree more. What an emotional train wreck—at least the audio version felt as such. Narrated by Kate Rudd and Tanya Eby, whoever read the part of Ellen had the voice of sadness, heartbreak, and desperation down to a tee. On a brighter note, the Jenny character added some light-heartedness to the story.
The subject matter in this book is a tough pill to swallow, so if you're sensitive to certain topics, reader beware. I felt sad for the children and devastated for Ellen. The writing is lukewarm, and the characters lack depth, but with so many controversial topics, book clubs will have a lot of talk about.
Heather Gudenkauf is fast becoming a 'go to' author for many bookworms who enjoy women's fiction or contemporary fiction. Not so much for me. Little Mercies is my third go at the writer, and I've yet to give a rating above three stars. I might try The Weight of Silence.
The subject matter in this book is a tough pill to swallow, so if you're sensitive to certain topics, reader beware. I felt sad for the children and devastated for Ellen. The writing is lukewarm, and the characters lack depth, but with so many controversial topics, book clubs will have a lot of talk about.
Heather Gudenkauf is fast becoming a 'go to' author for many bookworms who enjoy women's fiction or contemporary fiction. Not so much for me. Little Mercies is my third go at the writer, and I've yet to give a rating above three stars. I might try The Weight of Silence.
October 5, 2014
This is probably the most difficult review I've had to write about a book in a while, because I'm very conflicted about what my sentiments are regarding the novel. This was well-written and intimate in terms of the narrative itself showing the thoughts and sentiments of the characters. I applaud Gudenkauf for taking an unflinching look at a series of tough subject matters that came together through the course of the novel, which will become apparent as I talk about the subject matter of this book. Before I do that, I'll say this: I really liked reading Jenny's perspective in this novel. I felt for her through the course of the novel and while her story still had dangling threads left untied, the ending of her respective story left me satisfied.
On the contrary, I did not like Ellen's perspective through the novel at all. It made me so angry, I had to restrain myself from throwing my e-reader against the wall. Much of my sentiments isn't only focused on what Ellen did, it was her thoughts throughout the novel and how convenient everything seemed to work out for her. While I know I was supposed to feel sympathy for her situation given the themes and transpired events in the novel, her narrative left me cold because I saw her as nothing but a privileged, selfish brat who never learned a darned thing by the end of the novel. It was like she got off scott free from her responsibilities/actions by the end of the novel and I'm wondering "How dare she say these things?"
I'll start at the beginning: Ellen is a social worker who's worked difficult cases in the past involving removing children from difficult homes and situations. The tables turn when during one tense, busy morning of miscommunication, and an event where Ellen is on the job trying to save the lives of the children she's in charge of, her own daughter ends up nearly losing her life. Ellen's husband had left their 1 year old, Avery, in the backseat of the car, for Ellen to take to daycare. Ellen - overwhelmed and nodding though she didn't completely understand her husband's actions - didn't realize Avery was still in the backseat, drove to her job, and left Avery in the backseat of a hot car.
The little girl reached a temp of 105, and strangers had to break into the van to get her out. Ellen only realizes this after the fact and completely freaks out. Her horrified reaction is understandable, her pain palpable, her guilt unimaginable for what the situation should lend. It's a parent's worst nightmare. While I'm not a parent myself, I've worked with kids in the past. When a child is in danger or subject to something like this, especially on the part of a parent realizing something they did directly led to the event, it's hard to take in. That parent would go through the motions, especially in the duration of seeing whether their child will pull through or not. Not to mention dealing with the consequences.
But I couldn't forgive some of Ellen's internal reactions. She made it all about herself. "Why did this happen to me?" "I'm not one of THOSE people." "I'm a social worker." It's such a privileged, prejudicial attitude in this situation. If this book meant to clarify the roles of awesome things that social workers do for children as well as the irony of the situation Ellen faces with respect to her role in this tragedy, I think Ellen's privileged attitude towards her occupation and the situation really shortchanged the portrayal. Severely.
First off, this event did not happen to Ellen, it happened to her DAUGHTER, Avery. It was Ellen's responsibility - though an unfortunate accident - in terms of the life or death balance that Avery fought within. Avery is the victim here. As much as I realize that Ellen is a flawed character, the fact she kept evoking her employment as a social worker was one thing that annoyed the heck out of me. Like it was some badge of honor that put her above and beyond anyone else, that it was something that gave her an automatic pass for being able to see her daughter in the hospital, rather than being restricted and accused for child neglect/abuse. While I had sympathy for Ellen in terms of having to face the judgment of her husband, her children, her family and his family, as well as her own internal battles of guilt and longing for her child - that sympathy pretty much left after the series of conveniences that fell in her lap as well as her petty gripes through the whole thing.
Examples: Her friend Joe, who just so happened to be a police officer she'd collaborated with as a social worker, says there's a warrant out for her arrest, but in some ways it was like he said "Oh, but don't worry, I made a deal and you can turn yourself in by 6:00 tomorrow, so I don't have to handcuff you."
Her connections pretty much gave her the hook-up for convenience. Privilege.
She calls a former DA rival, who automatically takes her case for the high-profile battle in the media the incident brought. Privilege.
She complains to her mother about being strip-searched - which is humiliating, true, on top of the worry she has over her child, but the way she complains over it, as if she's above it all? Privilege.
Granted, there are times when irony rears its head, and so called "smaller people" (this isn't mentioned in the novel, but there are tones suggesting this given Ellen's occupation) speak up and do things for Ellen that she doesn't expect, even when she's done some difficult things to them in the past, such as taken away their children in a difficult home environment. I would've probably had more sympathy if truly every person in Ellen's life turned against her, and she'd taken strides to truly fight for her child as well as own up to her wrongdoing, rather than just using her position as a crutch to justify the fact that this was all just a "terrible mistake" and saying "I'm not THAT parent," essentially eliminating herself from pretty much every other person who might've been in this particular situation. It is not allieviated by the fact that she labels herself as being "THAT" person later on, the labeling just makes it worse.
It was such a B.S. way to put it, really. Even passive. It made a series of difficult questions of what if form in my mind as I was reading this on the note of privilege for what the situation presented:
What if she wasn't a social worker, and didn't have the connections she had to "help" her along in this case?
What if she were poor?
What if she were a POC?
What if her husband hadn't been as understanding as he was?
What if her case hadn't had the media coverage it had?
What if she weren't able to afford a decent attorney?
A lot of what if's could've changed the scope, perspective and even outcome of this situation, and while Gudenkauf explores some "what ifs" from Ellen's perspective, it didn't feel like nearly enough or even with substantiated weight to give Ellen's struggle meaning. So it was very hard to feel for her.
Worse, towards the end of the novel, when Ellen's reflecting on Jenny's situation, there's a measure where Ellen's highly judgmental of Jenny's mother's actions, which seems contradictory given the weight of what she went through with people judging her apart from the circumstances that led up to that event. And I found this line especially ironic:
"I'm not so arrogant as to believe that my daughter's recovery was due to my reentry into her life..."
But yet there's arrogance there, in more ways than one and before that point. *sighs*
On the other hand, Jenny's story was a good one, and probably a good part of why I give this novel 3 stars, almost shifting up to 3.5 stars. Jenny's a young girl whose father is an alcoholic and struggles to keep employment. He's not a perfect father, but he tries to take care of Jenny the best he can, especially since he has custody of his child and wants nothing to do with Jenny's mother, even after their divorce. The reason for this was that Jenny used to live with her mother and her mother's boyfriend. Jenny was subject to constant abuse at the hands of her mother's boyfriend, with pictures of bruises to prove such.
Jenny plans to take the bus with her father to move to yet another city, but things change when her father's jumped by shady associates whom he interacts with. Cops try to intervene, but they end up arresting Jenny's father, and Jenny ends up trapped on departing bus, leaving her father behind.
There's a bit of converging storylines as Jenny ends up in the watchful care of Ellen's mother and family. I won't spoil how the storylines come together and what transpires, but Jenny's voice and situation are more honest and identifiable than Ellen's was. I felt for the little girl and felt her hurt, betrayal, and confusion in some tough situations. She's young (I think the narrative said she would be entering 5th grade. It's also insinuated that she struggles as a student), and so the narrative seems to adapt to her voice in the third person versus Ellen's first person account, but I did feel like some moments made Jenny seem like she was younger than what she was. Nonetheless, I liked reading that part of the narrative and it felt more intimate and jarring than Ellen's tale did in places.
I will say that "Little Mercies" kept me reading through all the way to the end, but there were moments I think pulled me in and put me off at the same time. It's dramatic, sometimes a bit hard to swallow in palpable realistic settings, but I did find value in it. I will look to see what Gudenkauf writes next because I find her narratives compelling for the writing and intimacy it wields, even if there are places that could be explored better or with less stumbles along the way.
Overall score: 3/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin.
On the contrary, I did not like Ellen's perspective through the novel at all. It made me so angry, I had to restrain myself from throwing my e-reader against the wall. Much of my sentiments isn't only focused on what Ellen did, it was her thoughts throughout the novel and how convenient everything seemed to work out for her. While I know I was supposed to feel sympathy for her situation given the themes and transpired events in the novel, her narrative left me cold because I saw her as nothing but a privileged, selfish brat who never learned a darned thing by the end of the novel. It was like she got off scott free from her responsibilities/actions by the end of the novel and I'm wondering "How dare she say these things?"
I'll start at the beginning: Ellen is a social worker who's worked difficult cases in the past involving removing children from difficult homes and situations. The tables turn when during one tense, busy morning of miscommunication, and an event where Ellen is on the job trying to save the lives of the children she's in charge of, her own daughter ends up nearly losing her life. Ellen's husband had left their 1 year old, Avery, in the backseat of the car, for Ellen to take to daycare. Ellen - overwhelmed and nodding though she didn't completely understand her husband's actions - didn't realize Avery was still in the backseat, drove to her job, and left Avery in the backseat of a hot car.
The little girl reached a temp of 105, and strangers had to break into the van to get her out. Ellen only realizes this after the fact and completely freaks out. Her horrified reaction is understandable, her pain palpable, her guilt unimaginable for what the situation should lend. It's a parent's worst nightmare. While I'm not a parent myself, I've worked with kids in the past. When a child is in danger or subject to something like this, especially on the part of a parent realizing something they did directly led to the event, it's hard to take in. That parent would go through the motions, especially in the duration of seeing whether their child will pull through or not. Not to mention dealing with the consequences.
But I couldn't forgive some of Ellen's internal reactions. She made it all about herself. "Why did this happen to me?" "I'm not one of THOSE people." "I'm a social worker." It's such a privileged, prejudicial attitude in this situation. If this book meant to clarify the roles of awesome things that social workers do for children as well as the irony of the situation Ellen faces with respect to her role in this tragedy, I think Ellen's privileged attitude towards her occupation and the situation really shortchanged the portrayal. Severely.
First off, this event did not happen to Ellen, it happened to her DAUGHTER, Avery. It was Ellen's responsibility - though an unfortunate accident - in terms of the life or death balance that Avery fought within. Avery is the victim here. As much as I realize that Ellen is a flawed character, the fact she kept evoking her employment as a social worker was one thing that annoyed the heck out of me. Like it was some badge of honor that put her above and beyond anyone else, that it was something that gave her an automatic pass for being able to see her daughter in the hospital, rather than being restricted and accused for child neglect/abuse. While I had sympathy for Ellen in terms of having to face the judgment of her husband, her children, her family and his family, as well as her own internal battles of guilt and longing for her child - that sympathy pretty much left after the series of conveniences that fell in her lap as well as her petty gripes through the whole thing.
Examples: Her friend Joe, who just so happened to be a police officer she'd collaborated with as a social worker, says there's a warrant out for her arrest, but in some ways it was like he said "Oh, but don't worry, I made a deal and you can turn yourself in by 6:00 tomorrow, so I don't have to handcuff you."
Her connections pretty much gave her the hook-up for convenience. Privilege.
She calls a former DA rival, who automatically takes her case for the high-profile battle in the media the incident brought. Privilege.
She complains to her mother about being strip-searched - which is humiliating, true, on top of the worry she has over her child, but the way she complains over it, as if she's above it all? Privilege.
Granted, there are times when irony rears its head, and so called "smaller people" (this isn't mentioned in the novel, but there are tones suggesting this given Ellen's occupation) speak up and do things for Ellen that she doesn't expect, even when she's done some difficult things to them in the past, such as taken away their children in a difficult home environment. I would've probably had more sympathy if truly every person in Ellen's life turned against her, and she'd taken strides to truly fight for her child as well as own up to her wrongdoing, rather than just using her position as a crutch to justify the fact that this was all just a "terrible mistake" and saying "I'm not THAT parent," essentially eliminating herself from pretty much every other person who might've been in this particular situation. It is not allieviated by the fact that she labels herself as being "THAT" person later on, the labeling just makes it worse.
It was such a B.S. way to put it, really. Even passive. It made a series of difficult questions of what if form in my mind as I was reading this on the note of privilege for what the situation presented:
What if she wasn't a social worker, and didn't have the connections she had to "help" her along in this case?
What if she were poor?
What if she were a POC?
What if her husband hadn't been as understanding as he was?
What if her case hadn't had the media coverage it had?
What if she weren't able to afford a decent attorney?
A lot of what if's could've changed the scope, perspective and even outcome of this situation, and while Gudenkauf explores some "what ifs" from Ellen's perspective, it didn't feel like nearly enough or even with substantiated weight to give Ellen's struggle meaning. So it was very hard to feel for her.
Worse, towards the end of the novel, when Ellen's reflecting on Jenny's situation, there's a measure where Ellen's highly judgmental of Jenny's mother's actions, which seems contradictory given the weight of what she went through with people judging her apart from the circumstances that led up to that event. And I found this line especially ironic:
"I'm not so arrogant as to believe that my daughter's recovery was due to my reentry into her life..."
But yet there's arrogance there, in more ways than one and before that point. *sighs*
On the other hand, Jenny's story was a good one, and probably a good part of why I give this novel 3 stars, almost shifting up to 3.5 stars. Jenny's a young girl whose father is an alcoholic and struggles to keep employment. He's not a perfect father, but he tries to take care of Jenny the best he can, especially since he has custody of his child and wants nothing to do with Jenny's mother, even after their divorce. The reason for this was that Jenny used to live with her mother and her mother's boyfriend. Jenny was subject to constant abuse at the hands of her mother's boyfriend, with pictures of bruises to prove such.
Jenny plans to take the bus with her father to move to yet another city, but things change when her father's jumped by shady associates whom he interacts with. Cops try to intervene, but they end up arresting Jenny's father, and Jenny ends up trapped on departing bus, leaving her father behind.
There's a bit of converging storylines as Jenny ends up in the watchful care of Ellen's mother and family. I won't spoil how the storylines come together and what transpires, but Jenny's voice and situation are more honest and identifiable than Ellen's was. I felt for the little girl and felt her hurt, betrayal, and confusion in some tough situations. She's young (I think the narrative said she would be entering 5th grade. It's also insinuated that she struggles as a student), and so the narrative seems to adapt to her voice in the third person versus Ellen's first person account, but I did feel like some moments made Jenny seem like she was younger than what she was. Nonetheless, I liked reading that part of the narrative and it felt more intimate and jarring than Ellen's tale did in places.
I will say that "Little Mercies" kept me reading through all the way to the end, but there were moments I think pulled me in and put me off at the same time. It's dramatic, sometimes a bit hard to swallow in palpable realistic settings, but I did find value in it. I will look to see what Gudenkauf writes next because I find her narratives compelling for the writing and intimacy it wields, even if there are places that could be explored better or with less stumbles along the way.
Overall score: 3/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin.
February 24, 2015
Heather Gudenkaufs books just get better and better, this one's amazing. She creates complex characters with such competence I can't believe they aren't real people.
The story is told from two perspectives, that of Ellen the social worker, her busy personal life as a devoted Mother of 3, whose frantic personal life competes for her time with her beloved career of child care social worker to which she is completely dedicated. Any woman who has juggled home life and career will relate to her sometimes haphazard approach to the breakfast time mayhem as she hurtles out of the door to a job which can frequently contain life and death decisions.
Hardly surprising then that mistakes can be made - but one genuine oversight puts her in a dreadful position she has seen clients in and threatens her role as a mother and her position as social worker I can't imagine how awful this must have been yet I felt every second along with her.
Contrast Ellens mature voice with that of a bewildered yet feisty young girl, Jenny whose situation of sudden homelessness brings her into the periphery of Ellens life and into the care of Maudene and suddenly the two similarly chaotic lives coincide.
Often feisty young heroines can be a touch annoying, twee or over cute, but Jenny is just right, I loved her, she has had a pretty haphazard upbringing, her Mum abandoning her and left in the care of her hapless yet nevertheless loving Dad who sadly has difficulty enough looking after himself let alone caring properly for a little girl yet she maintains a hopeful optimism which is frequently dashed and an innocence, slightly tarnished but not yet jaded enough to make her cynical.
The story makes you face one of those terrifying "what ifs" which you really never want to contemplate ... how would you cope if everything you loved was at risk of slipping away from you and it was all your fault? How could you live with yourself and what would you do?
There are lots of secondary characters I'd love to know more about - Joe the cop Ellens devoted, platonic friend, and the lovely Maudene too, and I'd so love a hint of what happens afterwards and how the main characters get on in the years following these tragic events.
I read the book avidly 'til late at night and absorbed every word, it was like taking part in an unfolding tragedy I could do nothing about but cheer from the sidelines and hold my breath when things got to their very worst. Fabulous writing from an author who is now one of my very favourites, this book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Diane ChamberlainDiane Chamberlains writing.
A huge thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for supplying me with an advance copy to review, what a privilege and pleasure it was.
The story is told from two perspectives, that of Ellen the social worker, her busy personal life as a devoted Mother of 3, whose frantic personal life competes for her time with her beloved career of child care social worker to which she is completely dedicated. Any woman who has juggled home life and career will relate to her sometimes haphazard approach to the breakfast time mayhem as she hurtles out of the door to a job which can frequently contain life and death decisions.
Hardly surprising then that mistakes can be made - but one genuine oversight puts her in a dreadful position she has seen clients in and threatens her role as a mother and her position as social worker I can't imagine how awful this must have been yet I felt every second along with her.
Contrast Ellens mature voice with that of a bewildered yet feisty young girl, Jenny whose situation of sudden homelessness brings her into the periphery of Ellens life and into the care of Maudene and suddenly the two similarly chaotic lives coincide.
Often feisty young heroines can be a touch annoying, twee or over cute, but Jenny is just right, I loved her, she has had a pretty haphazard upbringing, her Mum abandoning her and left in the care of her hapless yet nevertheless loving Dad who sadly has difficulty enough looking after himself let alone caring properly for a little girl yet she maintains a hopeful optimism which is frequently dashed and an innocence, slightly tarnished but not yet jaded enough to make her cynical.
The story makes you face one of those terrifying "what ifs" which you really never want to contemplate ... how would you cope if everything you loved was at risk of slipping away from you and it was all your fault? How could you live with yourself and what would you do?
There are lots of secondary characters I'd love to know more about - Joe the cop Ellens devoted, platonic friend, and the lovely Maudene too, and I'd so love a hint of what happens afterwards and how the main characters get on in the years following these tragic events.
I read the book avidly 'til late at night and absorbed every word, it was like taking part in an unfolding tragedy I could do nothing about but cheer from the sidelines and hold my breath when things got to their very worst. Fabulous writing from an author who is now one of my very favourites, this book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Diane ChamberlainDiane Chamberlains writing.
A huge thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for supplying me with an advance copy to review, what a privilege and pleasure it was.
May 28, 2014
A complex, heartbreaking, wonderful story of people whose lives and stories intertwine in completely unexpected ways. I was drawn in from the very beginning by the eloquent language, by the too-clear images of the children Ellen cares for and their emotionally shattered states, and by the real horror and disbelief of the new situation: a terrible, horrible mistake that could happen to anyone. She suffers one blow after another, beginning to fear the experience she's only seen from the other side. We ride the rollercoaster with both Ellen and Jenny, praying that a glimmer of hope is not misplaced and that reason will win, all while fearing the likelihood of harsh reality and tragic statistics.
For most people something is unthinkable: protecting, watching or staying with a child abuser. Children, even abused children, love their parents and fear the unknown, and social workers have to deal with these warped relationships daily, a thankless task which can tear families apart in the short term in the hopes of saving the children and giving them hope and a future. What's clear to anyone working in social services or with foster children is that people, all people, are human and therefore fallible, that mistakes can be made anywhere by anyone, and that our response is what's important: helping rather than pointing the finger of blame. Little Mercies clearly shows this, the difficult choices made by everyone, and the challenges faced by people at various points in "the system".
It was difficult for me to put this down to sleep (and I read far longer than I should). I felt I would be abandoning Jenny and Ellen there, in the middle of a crisis, even as they discovered for themselves the importance of friends and family, calling on people they never expected to really respond. Those small kindnesses, whether help from friends or compassion from a stranger, are the little mercies that get us through difficult times.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For most people something is unthinkable: protecting, watching or staying with a child abuser. Children, even abused children, love their parents and fear the unknown, and social workers have to deal with these warped relationships daily, a thankless task which can tear families apart in the short term in the hopes of saving the children and giving them hope and a future. What's clear to anyone working in social services or with foster children is that people, all people, are human and therefore fallible, that mistakes can be made anywhere by anyone, and that our response is what's important: helping rather than pointing the finger of blame. Little Mercies clearly shows this, the difficult choices made by everyone, and the challenges faced by people at various points in "the system".
It was difficult for me to put this down to sleep (and I read far longer than I should). I felt I would be abandoning Jenny and Ellen there, in the middle of a crisis, even as they discovered for themselves the importance of friends and family, calling on people they never expected to really respond. Those small kindnesses, whether help from friends or compassion from a stranger, are the little mercies that get us through difficult times.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2014
Oh my, oh my. Well done Heather! Little Mercies is an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride told through alternating POVs “…of a guilt–ridden mother and innocent but determined child.” (Little Mercies: A Conversation with Heather Gudenkauf).
The story line is very realistic. When Ellen (a mother and social worker) suddenly finds her life altered, I found myself thinking/asking questions. What would I have done? This could happen to me, a family member, a friend, or my next door neighbor. Little Mercies will make you reflect and be grateful for the time you have with your loved ones.
This book also has an amazing secondary character: Maudene, Ellen’s loving and thoughtful mother, who gives unselfishly. Love her! The world needs more Maudenes.
Definitely a must summertime read. I’m giving it 4★s!
Favorite quote: "You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that come from the terrible."
The story line is very realistic. When Ellen (a mother and social worker) suddenly finds her life altered, I found myself thinking/asking questions. What would I have done? This could happen to me, a family member, a friend, or my next door neighbor. Little Mercies will make you reflect and be grateful for the time you have with your loved ones.
This book also has an amazing secondary character: Maudene, Ellen’s loving and thoughtful mother, who gives unselfishly. Love her! The world needs more Maudenes.
Definitely a must summertime read. I’m giving it 4★s!
Favorite quote: "You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that come from the terrible."
September 12, 2014
Motherhood is a procession of goodbyes. Some bittersweet and filled with promise and hope, some gradual, a gentle prying away of your fingers from something precious, some more violent, unexpected.
A quick, easy but sometimes upsetting read. The story jumps between Ellen Moore, a social worker and Jenny, an abused 10 year old. If you are a Jodi Picoult fan, you'll enjoy this. My only critisism is that the story could have been fleshed out more with an ending that wasn't so perfect. All in all still a very nice beach read.
September 19, 2018
Probably not really my kind of book. However well enough written to be a decent read. I'm aiming to try more of this author's books when I can.
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July 11, 2022Psychological Fiction / Family Drama
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Narrated by: Kate Rudd, Tanya Eby
Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
LITTLE MERCIES is a story about a social worker Ellen who She can only hope and pray for her daughter's full recovery but at the same time she knows that her actions have serious consequences for their lives and her career. We also meet a runaway girl Jenny (10) who is trying to find her grandmother and meets a sweet older woman Maudene who try to help the runaway girl as best as she can.
How Ellen and Jenny's stories work out and how they will intertwine...read, and find out.
Wow, this story was emotional, intense, heartbreaking, but also hopeful and thought-provoking. This story reminded us how difficult it is to juggle a stressful job, motherhood, marriage and worry about your elderly parent. It is scary to imagine how easily your life can transform when you do not pay attention and even someone with lots of experience can put her child in very serious danger.
Author's writing was good, I could feel all the emotions the characters went through...the guilt, trauma, desperation, worry, helplessness, love and hope. Ellen and Jenny were both interesting characters, yet, I also enjoyed to meet Maudene.
I think this story will stay with many parents for a long time. Hopefully they will be more careful and can better recognize different dangers. It is better to be careful now, so that problems do not occur later on!
This story also reminded us that there are many shortcomings in the social system, and the social workers are under lots of pressure but little support...
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all have our moments. We all have those times when we turn our backs, close our eyes, become unguarded...We'll get through this. You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that comes from the terrible."
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Narrated by: Kate Rudd, Tanya Eby
Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
LITTLE MERCIES is a story about a social worker Ellen who She can only hope and pray for her daughter's full recovery but at the same time she knows that her actions have serious consequences for their lives and her career. We also meet a runaway girl Jenny (10) who is trying to find her grandmother and meets a sweet older woman Maudene who try to help the runaway girl as best as she can.
How Ellen and Jenny's stories work out and how they will intertwine...read, and find out.
Wow, this story was emotional, intense, heartbreaking, but also hopeful and thought-provoking. This story reminded us how difficult it is to juggle a stressful job, motherhood, marriage and worry about your elderly parent. It is scary to imagine how easily your life can transform when you do not pay attention and even someone with lots of experience can put her child in very serious danger.
Author's writing was good, I could feel all the emotions the characters went through...the guilt, trauma, desperation, worry, helplessness, love and hope. Ellen and Jenny were both interesting characters, yet, I also enjoyed to meet Maudene.
I think this story will stay with many parents for a long time. Hopefully they will be more careful and can better recognize different dangers. It is better to be careful now, so that problems do not occur later on!
This story also reminded us that there are many shortcomings in the social system, and the social workers are under lots of pressure but little support...
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all have our moments. We all have those times when we turn our backs, close our eyes, become unguarded...We'll get through this. You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that comes from the terrible."
November 4, 2014
Ellen Moore is a social worker in the middle of a crisis, when the unthinkable happens to her own child. Meanwhile, a ten year old little girl ends up on a bus riding hundreds of miles away from the only unstable family she knows.
These two stories run alongside until finally they come crashing together. There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming . This book read fast and kept me interested, but I wanted it to go deeper, to really pull me into the characters, but it never too me there.
These two stories run alongside until finally they come crashing together. There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming . This book read fast and kept me interested, but I wanted it to go deeper, to really pull me into the characters, but it never too me there.
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