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At God's Mercy
Poland, World War II. A desperate young Jewish woman sacrifices her life to save her baby twins from the terrible death that awaits them.
Decades later, in New York, Rabbi Jeremiah Neumann discovers the existence of his long lost twin. He rushes headlong to meet him – but is shocked to discover that his identical twin is a priest.
The two brothers travel to Poland to find out who they truly are. Page by page they uncover the terrible secret of their bloodcurdling heritage. A long-dormant evil is resurrected, and once again threatens to take the twins’ lives. Will they survive the new storm?
At God’s Mercy is a captivating book that is hard to put down. It will take you deep behind the frontiers of human atrocity, where cruelty meets courage, and faith meets fate. Its chilling storyline bites hard at religious establishment and raises hard questions regarding Judaism, Christianity, human nature, faith and existence.
156 pages, ebook
First published January 14, 2003
252 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 7, 2018
Touching
This book is not a feel good, happy read. It is slightly confronting but I doubt it would work any other way. While I didn't expect to enjoy it, I found that I couldn't put it down.
This book is not a feel good, happy read. It is slightly confronting but I doubt it would work any other way. While I didn't expect to enjoy it, I found that I couldn't put it down.
February 23, 2014
A novel about twin boys separated in childhood - one growing up to become a Jewish Rabbi and the other a Catholic priest - should have been a good story. But the story line seemed disconnected and choppy, often confusing and with inconsistencies. I thought, by the title, that it was a Christian novel; it was not, nor was it the suspenseful thriller it claimed to be. When I finished reading it I felt I could have put my time to better use elsewhere
March 7, 2014
Disappointing. This was a poorly written, disjointed mess. None of the characters were remotely likable. The ending was abrupt. I was glad when it was over.
February 23, 2014
AT GOD’S MERCY begins during the waning days of World War II as Helena, a Jewish woman in Poland, tried to flee the Nazi who was trying to kill her. Following a chase through the woods while carrying a basket holding her twin sons, the pursuer agreed to not kill them. She left the basket at the side of the road hoping babies would be rescued, then turned back to face her destiny.
Fifty years later, Jeremiah, a rabbi in the US, received a letter informing him that he had a twin brother. He got his name and went to find him. The brother, Isaiah, who lived nearby, also did not know that he was a twin, an identical one at that. Both boys had been adopted in the US but by different families. Isaiah was a priest.
The two men get to know each other while Isaiah meets the family he didn’t know he had: Jeremiah’s wife and four of his five daughters. Jeremiah does not want any contact with his eldest daughter, Eva, because she left the religious life, joined the military, and plans to marry a Christian.
The brothers decided to travel to Poland to learn what they could about their parents. Their search open windows long closed as they get closer to the truth. What they find is a stone wall as the people in the village deny that any Jews ever lived there. They also find anti-Semitism is still alive and well, partly for a surprising reason.
There are some interesting observations: In one early discussion between the brothers, Isaiah states, “We’re both far too comfortable solving other people’s problems.” Jeremiah responds, “Well, why not. It’s much easier than just solving your own problems.”
When one of his younger daughters questions her parents about Isaiah being a priest, Jeremiah says, “Christian, Muslim, Buddhist....what does it matter, he’s my twin! He’s your uncle.”
There are two phrases I particularly liked, referring to their first Shabbat evening dinner together, was “It was a fascinating meal seasoned with witty questions....” and he wondered if there were any original ‘lives’ since the days of the Bible. Everything humans do in life is to repeat the paths life already written, and perhaps provide nuances in its version or any other way.[sic]
The plot moves quickly and generally is logical. Dreams and flashbacks play important roles. There are several interesting twists. There are also some minor parts that do not follow the Orthodox Jewish custom which Jeremiah follows. For example, I was confused early on because Jeremiah goes home after work and has a dinner of cholent. In most households, that is the main dish for Shabbat afternoon so I thought the story began on a Friday night with a meal that would not have been eaten at that time.
Jeremiah says that Isaiah is “his only remaining blood relative.” He seems to have forgotten his five daughters.
Jeremiah is said to be reading the Bible at one point and refers to Genesis, the Song of Songs, Ruth, Kings, and Jeremiah. Only Genesis is in the Hebrew Bible. The others, particularly Ruth, are in supplementary books. I can’t believe than Isaiah would have been unaware of the deaths of 6,000,000 Jews during the Holocaust.
There is a description of an “imitation nurse” which unnecessarily focuses on her weight. She wondered why two religious men would come to the nursing home since no one had died. Don’t clergy visit residents who are alive?
On the whole, the book braided several stories into one mostly cohesive whole.
This book was a Free Books Amazon download.
Fifty years later, Jeremiah, a rabbi in the US, received a letter informing him that he had a twin brother. He got his name and went to find him. The brother, Isaiah, who lived nearby, also did not know that he was a twin, an identical one at that. Both boys had been adopted in the US but by different families. Isaiah was a priest.
The two men get to know each other while Isaiah meets the family he didn’t know he had: Jeremiah’s wife and four of his five daughters. Jeremiah does not want any contact with his eldest daughter, Eva, because she left the religious life, joined the military, and plans to marry a Christian.
The brothers decided to travel to Poland to learn what they could about their parents. Their search open windows long closed as they get closer to the truth. What they find is a stone wall as the people in the village deny that any Jews ever lived there. They also find anti-Semitism is still alive and well, partly for a surprising reason.
There are some interesting observations: In one early discussion between the brothers, Isaiah states, “We’re both far too comfortable solving other people’s problems.” Jeremiah responds, “Well, why not. It’s much easier than just solving your own problems.”
When one of his younger daughters questions her parents about Isaiah being a priest, Jeremiah says, “Christian, Muslim, Buddhist....what does it matter, he’s my twin! He’s your uncle.”
There are two phrases I particularly liked, referring to their first Shabbat evening dinner together, was “It was a fascinating meal seasoned with witty questions....” and he wondered if there were any original ‘lives’ since the days of the Bible. Everything humans do in life is to repeat the paths life already written, and perhaps provide nuances in its version or any other way.[sic]
The plot moves quickly and generally is logical. Dreams and flashbacks play important roles. There are several interesting twists. There are also some minor parts that do not follow the Orthodox Jewish custom which Jeremiah follows. For example, I was confused early on because Jeremiah goes home after work and has a dinner of cholent. In most households, that is the main dish for Shabbat afternoon so I thought the story began on a Friday night with a meal that would not have been eaten at that time.
Jeremiah says that Isaiah is “his only remaining blood relative.” He seems to have forgotten his five daughters.
Jeremiah is said to be reading the Bible at one point and refers to Genesis, the Song of Songs, Ruth, Kings, and Jeremiah. Only Genesis is in the Hebrew Bible. The others, particularly Ruth, are in supplementary books. I can’t believe than Isaiah would have been unaware of the deaths of 6,000,000 Jews during the Holocaust.
There is a description of an “imitation nurse” which unnecessarily focuses on her weight. She wondered why two religious men would come to the nursing home since no one had died. Don’t clergy visit residents who are alive?
On the whole, the book braided several stories into one mostly cohesive whole.
This book was a Free Books Amazon download.
November 4, 2016
Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBoom.
When I started listening to this I figured it would be pretty good. Not long into it, though, I started picking up on anti-Christian bias and strong pro-Jewish sentiment. As if the moral character of the main Jewish protagonist was all that great - this was someone who disowned his own daughter for the "horrible" offense of not thinking like him and choosing a non-Jewish man for her significant other. The characters overall were stereotypical and weak/one-dimensional, lacking any depth or connection with the reader. The overall plot would have been more interesting if it had been written better and if the characters were more interesting. And the ending ... I don't even know what to say about it, it was so poorly written and came out of nowhere for what - to make some sort of point? Well, the point was lost on me. The author said in the "Epilogue" (which, really should have been titled "Author's Note" instead) that the story wrote itself. With how weak this story is in writing and content, it does seem that way. I don't get the amount of four or five star reviews for this on Amazon, because they're not an accurate reflection of this overall quality of the book. The narration was about the same, not all that great - mostly during the exposition moments. When he was performing the character's voices, he wasn't too bad, but overall it just felt ... wooden.
Would I recommend this book? No, not really. Unless you like weak plots and weak or boring characters.
When I started listening to this I figured it would be pretty good. Not long into it, though, I started picking up on anti-Christian bias and strong pro-Jewish sentiment. As if the moral character of the main Jewish protagonist was all that great - this was someone who disowned his own daughter for the "horrible" offense of not thinking like him and choosing a non-Jewish man for her significant other. The characters overall were stereotypical and weak/one-dimensional, lacking any depth or connection with the reader. The overall plot would have been more interesting if it had been written better and if the characters were more interesting. And the ending ... I don't even know what to say about it, it was so poorly written and came out of nowhere for what - to make some sort of point? Well, the point was lost on me. The author said in the "Epilogue" (which, really should have been titled "Author's Note" instead) that the story wrote itself. With how weak this story is in writing and content, it does seem that way. I don't get the amount of four or five star reviews for this on Amazon, because they're not an accurate reflection of this overall quality of the book. The narration was about the same, not all that great - mostly during the exposition moments. When he was performing the character's voices, he wasn't too bad, but overall it just felt ... wooden.
Would I recommend this book? No, not really. Unless you like weak plots and weak or boring characters.
May 9, 2016
This is the first book by this author I have read and it was very good. I found myself wanting to read every chance I got. At first, I thought it was just going to be another WWII book, but it had so many different twists and turns. The book opens with a girl running through the woods with a basket containing twins. She knows she can't get away, but wants her sons to survive. She leaves the basket beside a road and is killed by her pursuer.
The book then switches to a scene with a Rabbi with 5 daughters getting a letter asking him to be in a study of identical twins separated at birth. This is the first he knew anything about being a twin. He sets out to find his twin and finds it is a Roman Catholic priest. That could sound comical, but it is not. The brothers feel a need to go back to Poland and find out about their mother. They find their way to an old Polish village, dark, falling down, and hostile. From then on the plot becomes more and more sinister.
The conclusion, while not predictable, forms a complete circle. Despite the dark plot, the book is inspiring if not wholly satisfying. Given the plot, it is hard for the book to be anything else and it has the ring of truth.
, the
i
s+t++plot+
The book then switches to a scene with a Rabbi with 5 daughters getting a letter asking him to be in a study of identical twins separated at birth. This is the first he knew anything about being a twin. He sets out to find his twin and finds it is a Roman Catholic priest. That could sound comical, but it is not. The brothers feel a need to go back to Poland and find out about their mother. They find their way to an old Polish village, dark, falling down, and hostile. From then on the plot becomes more and more sinister.
The conclusion, while not predictable, forms a complete circle. Despite the dark plot, the book is inspiring if not wholly satisfying. Given the plot, it is hard for the book to be anything else and it has the ring of truth.
, the
i
s+t++plot+
March 26, 2014
This is an unforgettable story of twin boys separated as babies and raised by different families. It is a tale of heartache and family relationships. It is also about tragedy involving the loss of millions of people, the Jews, during the war. This author weaves his story to entwine all of the above to create an unforgettable tale that will tug at your heart strings.
Although this is a short story, there is much detail and a full, rich storyline that is well written. The characters are so well defined that the reader feels their pain and suffering as they go through each scenario. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time to come. I look forward to more from this talented author.
Although this is a short story, there is much detail and a full, rich storyline that is well written. The characters are so well defined that the reader feels their pain and suffering as they go through each scenario. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time to come. I look forward to more from this talented author.
February 20, 2014
Very well written, enjoyable and very moving story. I usually steer clear of overly 'religious' books - where the family all sit down and say prayers and put their trust in God to protect them from all and sundry, but this was clearly different. I loved it, the clever way the author moved us to Poland, the simple family rituals, the honesty of the emotions. I particularly like the way the author was brave enough to write two older men as the MCs. A refreshing change. A gritty and realistic story. And one I will read again.
March 24, 2014
Wow. What a story. Took me places in my mind that will probably stay there for a good long while yet. This is by no means light reading, and I would have enjoyed more motivation behind Eva, more of a story, more of a little flesh, so to speak. However, the whole tale grabbed me with the humanity, the humility, the family dynamics, the warmth and love, and the cruelty of human against human. Not to mention the unexpected end.
May 17, 2018
Boring. I think the real story here should have had much more depth and less BS conversation between strangers. It's simply not logical or even theoretically possible that two strangers, based on nothing more than a chance meeting in a church will discover their history appears to make them brothers. Twins, no less. Sure. Happens to me all the time.
The Holocaust was possibly the worst tragedy to have occurred in WW2 Europe. Of course, later in the war, the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor was a tragedy of immense proportion, but the loss of life was not comparable to that of the Holocaust. Having said that, this novel ignorantly chooses to focus only on the tiniest of details, which all takes place in a tiny Polish village. It's just not believable, and for that reason, I quickly lost interest. The characters are vague and one-sided. At one point, I just wanted to line up all the bad guys (MOST of the characters) and smack the crap out of them. This book treats the worst crime of that entire timeframe as an afterthought. I finished it, including the self-effacing authorial apology, but it was a struggle to find a single moral truth or expression of care.
The Holocaust was possibly the worst tragedy to have occurred in WW2 Europe. Of course, later in the war, the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor was a tragedy of immense proportion, but the loss of life was not comparable to that of the Holocaust. Having said that, this novel ignorantly chooses to focus only on the tiniest of details, which all takes place in a tiny Polish village. It's just not believable, and for that reason, I quickly lost interest. The characters are vague and one-sided. At one point, I just wanted to line up all the bad guys (MOST of the characters) and smack the crap out of them. This book treats the worst crime of that entire timeframe as an afterthought. I finished it, including the self-effacing authorial apology, but it was a struggle to find a single moral truth or expression of care.
July 1, 2020
A Real Lesson
I could not put it down. I cried. I cried for so many reasons I'm in my 60's and my parents taught me about the Nazis and Hitler and their evil. I don't understand such hate that a group of people have for another. This story makes me see the children in my country today who repeat the same behavior of the Nazis, just as that small group of boys who were Polish Nazis and could not tell the difference of a Christian or Jew. The fact they are identical twins send home the truth; human beings are just human beings. Jew or Christian matters nothing. We are all just people capable of choosing love and acceptance over hatred and division.
I could not put it down. I cried. I cried for so many reasons I'm in my 60's and my parents taught me about the Nazis and Hitler and their evil. I don't understand such hate that a group of people have for another. This story makes me see the children in my country today who repeat the same behavior of the Nazis, just as that small group of boys who were Polish Nazis and could not tell the difference of a Christian or Jew. The fact they are identical twins send home the truth; human beings are just human beings. Jew or Christian matters nothing. We are all just people capable of choosing love and acceptance over hatred and division.
June 19, 2017
At the end of World War II in Poland a mother is trying to save her twin boys from someone trying to kill them. She leaves them a basket on edge of the road. They are found by American soldiers and one brings them to the United States where they were adopted separately. One becomes a Catholic priest and the other a Rabbi. They finally meet 50 years later and each are having dreams of past they cannot figure out. Also the Rabbi's estranged daughter is having similar dreams. The brothers go to Poland.
October 14, 2017
Awful
Way way WAY too much coincidence or ESP...brothers just happen to walk into a tavern an there happens to be a guy there that just happens to be their father who murdered their mother and the brothers happen to find her cemetery and happen to find her jewel box and the murderer happens to show up right then as does a daughter of one of the brothers - who was in another country and through ESP found them in the cemetery in another country in the middle of the night for no particular reason then happens to shoot the murderer? This is way too far out even for fiction.
Way way WAY too much coincidence or ESP...brothers just happen to walk into a tavern an there happens to be a guy there that just happens to be their father who murdered their mother and the brothers happen to find her cemetery and happen to find her jewel box and the murderer happens to show up right then as does a daughter of one of the brothers - who was in another country and through ESP found them in the cemetery in another country in the middle of the night for no particular reason then happens to shoot the murderer? This is way too far out even for fiction.
February 23, 2018
Suspend credibility
Well written and interesting. But, the author asks us to stretch our credibility beyond that of fiction. We are, after all, in the in the 21st century. Discovering your long-lost twin in late adulthood; finding the murderer of your mother after 60 years; believing that these young Polish hooligans carry as much hatred as their grandparents? A bit too much.
Well written and interesting. But, the author asks us to stretch our credibility beyond that of fiction. We are, after all, in the in the 21st century. Discovering your long-lost twin in late adulthood; finding the murderer of your mother after 60 years; believing that these young Polish hooligans carry as much hatred as their grandparents? A bit too much.
October 21, 2018
Broke my heart
I don’t get angry or cry often reading a book. This one did it for me. Sent me in an emotional roller coaster, one that didn’t stop and only got worse at the end. Still I couldn’t put it down. Fully grasped the atrocities and ugliness of the worse time of the human man in WW2. What a sad but great story and what an ending.
I don’t get angry or cry often reading a book. This one did it for me. Sent me in an emotional roller coaster, one that didn’t stop and only got worse at the end. Still I couldn’t put it down. Fully grasped the atrocities and ugliness of the worse time of the human man in WW2. What a sad but great story and what an ending.
February 18, 2019
This was a very different story and it was different. Twins separated for more than 50 years to reunite and to find that their lives were polar opposites. The interwoven story of a father and estranged daughter who can finally find peace plus brothers coming together to find their true story. Interesting, sad and thoughtful.
October 17, 2020
This one makes you want to keep reading
This book drawers the reader in with it's opposite 2 main characters. It show how our religious prejudices can effect how we view history and our small worlds.
Deals with hatered that many do not want to admit still exists today. Even they all this family is all that matters, no matter how or what religion you are raised with
This book drawers the reader in with it's opposite 2 main characters. It show how our religious prejudices can effect how we view history and our small worlds.
Deals with hatered that many do not want to admit still exists today. Even they all this family is all that matters, no matter how or what religion you are raised with
June 21, 2020
Historic. Heartbreaking. Human.
Excellent. Great family story embracing both the Jewish and Christian worlds with grace and love. Rings true to both sides of these religions. I loved the story.
Excellent. Great family story embracing both the Jewish and Christian worlds with grace and love. Rings true to both sides of these religions. I loved the story.
October 9, 2020
Twisted
This book was different from the very beginning. It took me to a different place than I expected. When I thought I had it figured out , it took a new turn. Good book but unsatisfying ending.
This book was different from the very beginning. It took me to a different place than I expected. When I thought I had it figured out , it took a new turn. Good book but unsatisfying ending.
June 19, 2017
Not sure I should have even given this two stars. Not only was it implausible, but the writer had a real issue with Polish people. I know bad stuff went on in the war, and some was believable as it did happen, but this? Well, it went sour towards the end.
July 11, 2017
A tough read. But one that was very necessary. Very captivating story. I wished it ended differently.
September 15, 2017
A Rabbi finds out that he has a twin brother. He goes to see the brother and finds out he is a Priest. The two brothers go to Poland to find out about themselves.
February 7, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 4, 2018
At Gods Mercy
This was a hard novel to read filled with such sadness and sometimes anger. It was a read of history that should never be repeated.
This was a hard novel to read filled with such sadness and sometimes anger. It was a read of history that should never be repeated.
December 30, 2018
A hard book to read
It's so sad, but shows what it must been like to live as a New after WW II. God Bless all who faced the horrors.
It's so sad, but shows what it must been like to live as a New after WW II. God Bless all who faced the horrors.
Read
August 31, 2019I almost didn't read this book because of bad words used. but I read on anyways and found a very interesting story. It was so sad at the end!!!
April 10, 2020
Heartwrenching
I couldn't test my self away. It was hard to read because my heart aches with every word. Thank you for writing it.
I couldn't test my self away. It was hard to read because my heart aches with every word. Thank you for writing it.
May 8, 2020
Beautifully plotted and written. Read it in 2 days!
June 17, 2020
This started a bit slow, but got better. I'm a bit confused about Eva's role in the book, and her "visions." Seemed to just be plugged in there somehow. But an interesting story.
November 17, 2024
Terrible read. Characters not developed enough for me to actually feel anything for them. Had such promise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews