The Mercy Step

by Marcia Hutchinson

Longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction

Named one of the best New Novelists for 2025 by The Observer .

Bradford, December 1962.

A precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world, torn from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb, to a chaotic household that seems to have no place for her. Her siblings do not understand her, her mother’s attention is given to the Church, and the entire family lives at the whims of her father’s quick temper.

Left to herself, Mercy finds solace in books, her imagination, and the quiet comfort of her faithful toy, Dolly. But escapism has its limits, and as the grip of family, faith and fear threatens to close in, Mercy learns she must act if she wants a different future; one where she is seen, heard, and her family set free.

The Mercy Step is a sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl’s quiet rebellion, and her refusal to be broken.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Audiobook, Coming Of Age, Historical, Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Novelist, former lawyer and fitness instructor.

Reviews

[BookOfCinz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharp, witty, fresh, powerful and un-put-down-able!

The Mery Step opens with the birth of Mercy, we are taken into her inner world from birth until she is a teenager. After birth, she it taken to a very chaotic home in London, she is her parents fifth child and yes, they end up having two more. This is during the Windrush era in London, and Mercy is trying to understand the world she is thrust into. She loves to read and has a lot of questions she has to get answers to! However, her parents are overworked, tired, and unprepared for being parents to so many children.

Mercy is very close to her mother, and witnesses firsthand the abuse from her father. She tries to understand “Big People Business” but feels left out.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I cannot remember the last time I felt so enamored by a character! I laughed; I cried and cheered for Mercy!
Please read this brilliant book!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, heart-wrenching, tender and witty, The Mercy Step is an outstanding tear-jerker of a novel.

Bradford, December 1962. It’s a freezing, snowy Winter’s day when Mercy makes her dramatic entrance into the world; leaving the calm solace of her mother’s womb for life with a large, chaotic family where she never feels like she fits in. As the thread that binds mother and daughter stretches ever thinner, Mercy struggles to be seen and heard in a house where her siblings don’t understand her, her mother is wrapped up in the church, and they all live in fear of her father’s violent outbursts. Searching for belonging, Mercy eventually discovers the magical escape of books. She finds solace in their pages, in her vivid imagination and conversations with her toy, Dolly. But books and imagination can only take you so far, and as life at home becomes increasingly dangerous, Mercy realises she must make a stand and finally make herself heard to give herself the chance of a better future.

Marcia Hutchinson has been named one of the best new novelists for 2025 by The Observer, and after reading this book I understand why. With this magnificent debut Hutchinson has proven herself to be a born storyteller, writing with wit, wisdom, humanity and heart. Acutely observed, authentic and uncompromising, it is a story that feels achingly raw, righteously angry, deeply human and evokes every emotion. IThis layered story explores themes such as toxic family, poverty, domestic abuse, racism, loss and immigration. And while it is one young girl’s story, it is also a story about the realities of life as a Black person in northern England in the 60s and 70s.

Precocious, feisty, bold and determined, Mercy is an unforgettable heroine. It is impossible not to love her and she has a permanent place in my heart. Her love of literature and learning made me feel connected to her and I smiled as she found an escape in books and her imagination. She and the other characters are richly drawn and real, making you care about them and feel invested in their lives. Mercy’s family is dysfunctional and toxic, her abusive father a constant malevolent presence and Mercy doesn’t understand why her mother stays with such a monster. Mummy is Mercy’s balm but she’s also a worry and Mercy feels like it is her job to look after Mummy, though she aches for a mother who looks after her needs instead. So many times I wanted to reach into this book and hold this young girl. Although her mother seems to try to do her best, Mercy deserved so much better I desperately wanted to save her.

A magnificent debut full of drama, humour, headache and hope, Mercy and her story will linger long after you close the final page. Unmissable.

[Onemorebook Podcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody writes a coming of age story like a Caribbean author!!! And this one proved why I am often intrigued by such books. I love the way in which authors use child narrators to explore heavy societal themes by blending an autobiographical element with lyrical prose & a somewhat psychological depth.

This books is set in 1960's Bradford where we meet Mercy, a young child trying to exist in a world that is far too big for her small body. Mercy in an authentic & unflinching voice tells us of her extremely close (almost obsessive) attachment that she has to her mother who she unfortunately has to share not only with her father & siblings but also with the church. This obsession starts even before she is born as we meet her while still in her mother’s womb, a safe space that she is angry to have been pushed out of (the description of her birth story is excellent).

What drew me to Mercy the most was her introspective, confessional tone that felt both personal but also universal. She was not only speaking for herself, but for me, for many of us. In her or through her words, readers are able to relate to her because she is able to express her anger, longing & rebellion, emotions that many of us are neither able nor allowed to show or express.

There are so many important themes that are addressed & critiqued in this book; Patriarchy & the tentacles that it has on our lives, self abandonment within relationships, gender inequality, DV, Racism, Christianity, community, Sexual violence, religious psychosis, education, books, libraries, access to 3rd spaces, class systems, mental health struggles, grief, loss, poverty; all this encompassed with life in the diaspora.

Despite all the above named themes that are heavy, I still found myself laughing while reading this book. In my language we say 'Lak chogo' which loosely translates to 'finding strength and hope amidst adversity’ which I believe the author phrases as 'If you don’t laugh you will cry' (don’t quote me on that because I listened to the audiobook). This book reminded me that life persists and offers joy even after sorrow, despite pain life continues….this was an absolute joy to read!

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has one of the most striking beginnings to a story I have ever read.

This coming-of-age story set in Bradford 1960s, starts with the protagonist narrating her own birth from her mother’s womb. There was such beauty in hearing the thoughts of a child who is yet to enter the world, and this narrative was refreshing and impressive and actually transported me to the cramped and confined conditions of the womb. There was some satire in this opening, and from this, I knew I was going to love the author’s writing.

Mercy is a young girl living with her parents and siblings in a chaotic family home with a concerning dynamic. Mercy is loveable, she is a rebellious, but respectful, and is a character to root for, especially as she finds solace in her education, reading and school.

I can’t express how much I loved this writing, the book is filled with heavy themes, but the writing is so delicate, that these themes did not feel overwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue in this story, especially from Mercy’s Jamaican parents which did make me giggle.

There were two poignant moments towards the end of the story that I resonated with and made me cheer out loud for Mercy. She really had a fighting and confident spirit.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MERCY STEP is a stellar debut novel and my favourite of the Women's Prize longlist so far. Set in 1960s and 70s England, the story follows Mercy, a young child of Jamaican immigrants to Britain who is a baby when the novel begins. We follow Mercy from birth util about age twelve and see her navigate some difficult issues, including sexual assault and an abusive father. Perhaps what makes this book stand out from the rest is Marcia Hutchinson's writing. She has a beautifully poetic voice, but she also believably tells the story from Mercy's perspective and we see her gain understanding and maturity gradually as the story unfolds. If this is her debut novel, who knows what great things the future holds for Marcia Hutchinson? Highly recommended!

[Heather Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that has left my brain firing and my soul contented.
I am a woman of Jamaican heritage and am grateful for this book being written.
At times stomach bubbling sickening, but feel the warmth of my people as well...but mostly hopeful and funny.
Marcia has been able to capture the fantasy and nonchalant painful realities of a young girl growing up in the North of England, not of this world but viewed as one of it, with funny 'wordisms' and emotions I relate to.
Read it knowing we are all the creators of our own worlds x

[Heather Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give it 6 stars if I could. The best book in a long time.
Gorgeous writing and incredible imagery. After finishing it I went back and started again immediately.
The prologue is something else.

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fierce, tender coming-of-age story.

Set in 1960s Bradford, England, The Mercy Step follows Mercy, a precocious and sharp-eyed young girl growing up in a household defined by chaos, domestic violence, instability, fear, and emotional neglect. The child of Caribbean immigrants with a volatile father, a mother pulled in too many directions, and a home that rarely feels safe, Mercy learns early on to retreat into books, imagination, and her own inner strength. But as she grows, so does her awareness that survival alone may not be enough - she wants something more. Something better. Following her on that journey is, simply put, a delight.

With this debut, Marcia Hutchinson more than earns her place among notable new voices. The novel is layered and emotionally rich, exploring toxic family dynamics, poverty, abuse, racism, and the realities of growing up Black in northern England in the 1960s and 70s with both wit and unflinching honesty.

At the heart of it all is Mercy herself: smart, bold, observant, stubborn, and deeply vulnerable. Her love of books and learning becomes both refuge and resistance, and those quieter moments where she disappears into stories or lets her imagination take over offer brief but meaningful reprieves from the harshness of her reality. It's impossible not to root for her, and she is the kind of character who will stay with you.

Mercy's family dynamics are rendered with painful authenticity. Her father looms large as a constant, threatening presence, while her relationship with her mother is far more complex - tender in moments, but also marked by absence, dependence, and the quiet burden Mercy carries far too young. That tension between love and disappointment, protection and neglect feels especially well observed.

Despite the weight of its themes, the novel never loses sight of humanity. Humor, resilience, and hope are woven throughout, preventing the story from becoming unrelentingly bleak.

The audiobook, narrated by the author herself, is a particular highlight. Marcia Hutchinson's performance adds an extra layer of intimacy and authenticity, as though the story is being told exactly as it was meant to be heard. It's a powerful choice that deepens the emotional impact and brings Mercy's voice into even sharper focus.

Unflinching, compassionate, and deeply affecting, The Mercy Step is a remarkable debut that leaves a lasting impression. Its place on the 2026 Women's Prize Longlist feels entirely deserved.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this in audio, read by Marcia Hutchinson herself, and there is something about hearing a story like this in the author’s own voice that makes it land differently.

The novel moves through some very dark terrain, but it does so entirely through Mercy, a young girl whose understanding of the world is still forming.
She doesn’t name what’s happening around her in adult terms.
Instead, she organizes herself around loyalty, around protecting her mother, around holding things together in the only way she knows how.

That perspective gives the book its power.
You’re inside the experience of a child who believes she is doing what is right, what is necessary, what is loving.

I also found myself so moved by the way Mercy relates to books and the library.
She imagines the librarian as the ‘mother of the books’, and something about that just touched me.
It’s such a small detail, but it reveals so much about how she understands care, safety, and belonging.
The library becomes a kind of refuge, a place where things are held and tended to in a way her world often isn’t.
I had the exact same thought as a little girl, which made this feel even more personal. That quiet knowing that books are alive in some way, and that someone must be caring for them.

I also loved where the book lands. There’s a quiet shift in Mercy by the end…an awareness that she can begin to form her own beliefs, separate from her mother, and be okay doing that. It comes in a subtle, almost internal way, but it felt significant.
Especially for a child who has been so deeply loyal, so oriented around protecting someone else.
There’s a sense that she can still love her mother and, at the same time, begin to belong to herself. There’s something here about devotion, about the roles we take on too early, and the quiet cost of that kind of love.

This absolutely deserves its place on the 2026 Women’s Prize longlist.
I can see exactly why it’s there.
Honestly, I am loving this entire longlist right now.

[Girish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy Steps by Martha Hutchinson is not an easy book to sit with—and I suspect that’s precisely the point.

There’s something uniquely difficult about encountering a brutal world through the eyes of a child. The same realities—violence, control, quiet cruelties—feel sharper, more unsettling. Maybe it’s because I’m a parent now, but the instinct to protect kept interrupting my reading. I didn’t just observe Mercy’s life; I kept wanting to step into the page and shield her from it.

Mercy, the third-born child, announces herself even before her arrival—with a voice that feels too big, too knowing. She is born into a home where power sits squarely with the man, where abuse is overt, where a boy child is treasured and the women orbit quietly, stripped of agency and self-worth. It’s a world that feels claustrophobic, and, unfortunately, real.

As Mercy grows, all her words are used to interpret and critique the adult world. A kid can see the wrongness of things. The innocence is replaced by a kind of weary awareness, an understanding of how things work, that feels far too early and far too heavy. And that shift is what makes the book so hard to digest. You don’t just witness her growing up—you feel what she’s losing along the way.

Hutchinson writes with a stark honesty that doesn’t soften the edges. There’s no attempt to romanticise suffering, no convenient moral cushioning.

I’ll admit, this was also a difficult read for me personally. I happened to be listening to parts of it around the time of an accident, and the association made returning to the book harder than I expected. It took some effort—and a fair bit of resolve—to finish it. In some ways, that experience intensified the themes of vulnerability and fragility that run through the novel.

This isn’t a book you “enjoy” in the conventional sense.

[Anika (Encyclopedia BritAnika) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because it was recently announced as a Women’s Prize book finalist and I’m glad I did!

It is so unique and unlike other things I’ve read recently. It is the story of Mercy, a girl born to Jamaican immigrant parents in England in the 60s, told from her perspective. From womb to about 13. FROM THE WOMB. We get her perspective in the womb! I was sold from the jump. And the author does such a good job keeping her voice and that child view. I was so impressed. Mercy is in a violent, unsafe, unstable home. There’s so much out against her but Mercy is so resilient. She sits on her step and she reads her book and she is going to survive and flourish no matter what. I want to hug Mercy, and no one does. I want to protect Mercy, which her parents never ever do. I want good things for Mercy, and she wants it for herself.

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author, via my library on Hoopla.

[Rita Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2026 Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist 6/6

This book is written in a voice that sometimes feels fresh and innovative early on, but I soon grew irritated by the constraint. As a coming of age story it ticks all the boxes for readers who relate to finding solace from a chaotic childhood in bookish ways. I like the backdrop of the Windrush generation, and the exploration of political and social issues pertaining to their difficult assimilation into the monoculture that was England of that time.

I'm not convinced this should be on the shortlist for the Women's Prize.

[leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was a grower in that the more i read it, the more i liked it. i related to mercy as a middle child who found solace in books and loved going to the library as a kid (à la matilda). however, there are a lot of coming of age books / bildungsromans in that same vein, so i’m not sure this is doing anything particularly new.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is a stunner. From the very first page, this story of a gifted Jamaican-British girl growing up in Bradford in the 60s and 70s had me hooked. Such an original voice - getting us into the head of a newborn and making us one with her through the cusp of adolescence.

Mercy has an abusive father and a mother who fails her in some crucial ways, she’s subject to sexual abuse and racism and yet this is a very hopeful book. It’s vivid and visceral, but also fizzing with the energy of childhood.

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author and it’s just wonderful. I think it’s so exciting to read a debut novel by a 60 something (see what I mean about hopeful!) and I would gladly read the sequel of what happens next in Mercy’s life.

[ritareadthat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great premise. A bit tedious though with some of the story feeling repetitive over the years she is growing up. I wanted more, but more what, I don't know.

[Jo Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a result of its shortlisting for the Women's Prize 2026.

Mercy is a great character. A 'black' Matilda. She comes from a family that don't seem to understand her. She loves to read. She has teachers that she admires and inspire her. She has a teacher that is frightening and physically abusive (Trunchbull?)

Overall, a good read.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Back to the 60s when parents and teachers alike thought it was ok to hit children. As with Kit de Waal’s book I will be interested to see how the small minority of white men who read the women’s prize longlist react to this. Marcia is obviously well respected by those who know her political work. It’s an accessible read/listen with relatable themes and set in a time older readers will remember. Lots of likable females but less male ones. I think the mother figure will divide opinion but the child’s voice is very realistic. Mercy is one of the most lovable characters I’ve read in a while. Like a few others on the women’s prize list it’s set outside London. I would like this to make the short list and think most groups would enjoy it.

[Loes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik twijfel een beetje tussen 3 en 4 sterren. Een goed coming-of-age boek met traumatische gebeurtenissen vanuit het oog van een kind. Het miste alleen een stukje coherentie of spanningsboog voor mij, maar misschien sluit dat juist aan bij het kindperspectief. I don’t knowwwwww?

[Poonam Krishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linear and simplistic. Surprised it made the Women’s Prize shortlist..

[Line Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know that feeling when you finish a book, and all you can do for several minutes afterward is hug it to your chest and stare into space? That's how I know I've found a new favorite book, and that's what happened after I finished The Mercy Step. I picked it up initially because it was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, and this slim slice-of-life novel about Mercy, an Afro-Caribbean girl growing up in Bradford, absolutely stole my heart. Mercy is an unforgettable character with a strong, clear voice, and I rooted for her all the way as we watch her grow up, fighting to save her mother and herself from her abusive father. In spite of the heavy themes, the tone of the novel is not dark, but sharp and witty and often very funny. I already know I will be rereading this book over and over for the rest of my life. Don't sleep on this little small-press gem!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Mercy is born to immigrant parents from Jamaica in 1962 Bradford. She’s the middle child of 5 currently living with her parents Odette and Sonny (although four older siblings were left behind in Jamaica). Living conditions are cramped, money is tight and her father is abusive towards his wife and their children. Mercy is such a vibrant character, she leaps off the page and into your heart. She feels like she doesn’t fit within her family – she’s clever, funny and loves books and learning. The book teems with humour and this is perfectly balanced with the difficulty of her family situation to create story that is simultaneously warm and painful. This book transported to me a time and place unknown to me and did a brilliant job of pulling me into that world, keeping me there for the duration of the book and leaving me wanting more. I’d love a sequel and to continue along with Mercy’s journey through life.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mercy Step is a story written from the viewpoint of a young child born in the UK to a couple who are a part of the Windrush Generation that immigrated here from Jamaica.
From the off, we are with Mercy, as she leaves her mother's womb, and beyond. Mercy is an astute child, held back in so many ways by her family's thinking. She is a product of immigrants but growing up in this Western workd where there are opportunities beyond the scope of her parents.
It is an emotional ride, I have to say. On one side, she has an abusive parent, and on the other, a parent who only wants the best for her 'pikney' but who cannot separate her Jamaican/church thinking from the world she is now living in.
It is tenderly told, tugging at the heartstrings.
TW for some child abuse and SA.

[Corina Sandu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a sequel because what do you mean this is where we stop? I’m obsessed with Mercy now. Give me her teenage years, her twenties, her bad decisions, her growth. I want the full life story, thank you very much

This is a very character-driven coming-of-age story, which means it moves slowly at times. If you’re here for action or plot twists, this is probably not your book.

I will die on this hill: it is extremely difficult for an adult writer to create an authentic child or teenage voice. But Mercy sneaks up on you.

At first, when she was a baby, I was so aware that she was an unreliable narrator. Even so, seeing the world through a child’s eyes was fascinating to read. The way she makes connections, perceives the family dynamic, her abusive father, the way her mother deals with the abuse… she made me feel all feelings.

There are some very hard themes in this book: child abuse, domestic violence, gender inequality, racism, religion, diaspora, all kinds of trauma. At times, it’s heartbreaking.

And yet, I still found myself laughing. Mercy’s inner voice is absolutely priceless and made this book such a joy to read. Despite everything life throws at her, she still finds joy. She is resilient. She gave me hope.

I can’t even pinpoint the exact moment I moved from observing Mercy to caring deeply about her, but by the end, I wanted more.

This is the third Women’s Prize nominee I’ve read and this one might actually give The Correspondent a run for its money. Curios to see if I still feel this way after I finish Flashlight.

[Anne Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through the 2026 Women ´s Prize shortlist and after finishing Rozie Kelly ´s Kingfisher which I very much enjoyed,
this Maria Hutchinson ´s The Mercy Step caught me by surprise. I am usually a great fan (nit a fan at all- a text from a child ’ s perspective and this book, it has child ’s persepective from the beginning to the end). But, this The Mercy Step, this was soooo goood and I sure know why this book is on this shortlist. The flow of the story, the liveliness of the characters, the coming- of -age type of a plot where the little Mercy is born (and even before that) up till her 11 the birthday was so well put together, the heartbreaking happenings for this little girl - I just could not wait for to have a change to listen to this. And yes, I am not the greatest audiobook/audiorversio listener since my mind ends up wondering but I quite often choose the audioversio in case there ´s the writer reading their text. And this one, the writer, that was an excellent choise to be reading this. She made the story alive!!! She was sooooo good and by her reading, her voice the whole book became as alive as if Brilliant writing, captivating story!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcia Hutchinson has been recognised as one of the best new novelists for 2025 by The Observer, and this is truly reflected in her debut novel, The Mercy Step.
Both disturbing and funny, the novel immerses us in the world of Mercy and her Windrush family, set against the backdrop of 1960s Bradford. From the harrowing moment of Mercy's traumatic birth, the narrative follows the next eleven years of her life in a helter-skelter of experience.
Despite the chaos and, at times, violence that define her surroundings, Mercy not only endures but thrives. Her resilience is evident from a young age; she is wise beyond her years, displaying a remarkable fighting spirit even as a toddler. Mercy's journey is both disturbing and funny.
It is a window into a significant chapter of British history, shown with unflinching honesty, capturing the realities faced by the Windrush generation.
The writing is rich, poetic, and unafraid to explore the gritty aspects of life. This blend of lyricism and realism grounds the story in a deeply human experience. The result is a beautiful and powerful coming-of-age novel that leaves a lasting impression.

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Mercy is born in December 1962 to a British-Caribbean family in Bradford.

Reluctant to leave her mother’s womb, Mercy is a misfit from the beginning. Precocious and intelligent, she must find coping methods to survive a toxic and often abusive family life, and to share her mother with her siblings and often violent father.

This is Mercy’s story as she learns to carve out her place in the world, finding solace in her imagination, books, knowledge and learning.

Mercy is perceptive and seeks to understand the world around her on her own terms. She is a compelling protagonist.

Her relationship to her parents is the most complicated dynamic in the book, as you can tell that her parents are just products of a cruel system skewed by being immigrants and in poverty. You don’t forgive them for their behaviour, but you can understand them better.

This is a powerful story told through the sometimes simple, sometimes complicated and tragic events of a young girl’s life.

Definitely another strong contender within the women’s prize longlist.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* - a Bookbar book of the month that I’ve not heard of and was a surprise arriving. Reading the blurb I felt like I was going to like it and the short, immersive chapters were really well written. I’m honestly only 3 chapters in and feel like this could be the book to get me out of my slump and bring me back to the fervent reading of before. Just love a book like this, idk if I’d have ever picked up a book like this before Bookbar but for some reason it’s reminding me of A Little Trickerie (underestimated how much the characters would stick with me), just something totally interesting, and the fact it’s about black lives in the north of the UK rather than America makes me love it more. Found myself not wanting to read so I could savour it and read it in big chunks. Just so so good, such a good coming of age story and learning to be your own person - I would ADORE if this was a series where we could follow Mercy’s whole life (I’m thinking like My Brilliant Friend) because it would just be so addictive.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortlisted for the 2026 Women’s prize for fiction, this is the story of Mercy. Told in the first person, we see Mercy’s life from her birth for eleven years, until she becomes an independent young woman. Her vivid imagination and her love of books and learning allow her to escape the fear and trauma of her family - a very poor Jamaican family living in England. Mercy’s parents migrated looking for a better life, leaving behind 2 daughters that they couldn’t afford to raise. Then they kept popping out girl after girl until finally a boy arrived and the mother had her tubes tied. Sonny, the father, is a gambler and a nasty drunk, who takes things out on the family - especially on his wife and Mercy.
When Mercy discovers that the public library is free, she spends every afternoon there (except Wednesdays when they are closed) and refers to the librarians as the book Mothers.
Mercy’s trials and tribulations at home and at school, her thoughts and growing maturity and independence are the themes of the book- which I found riveting. I hope it wins.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy and her mother are connected with a unique cord – an umbilical cord - which makes their relationship very special.

Mercy's story begins when she is in her mommy’s tummy. She is the child of Jamaican immigrants; their seventh child. She lives in England with her parents, two older sisters and a younger brother. Her other siblings are still in Jamaica.

Mercy tells us that her mommy and daddy do not always get along, as daddy easily gets angry and hits mommy. Mercy likes to sit on an apartment step and calls it her step. The Mercy Step is her view of life in an immigrant household in the 1980s.

As Mercy grows older and becomes more independent, moving further from her mother’s directions and wishes, she discovers that their unique cord stretches and becomes thinner and thinner.

I enjoyed The Mercy Step mostly because it is told from a different perspective, a childs. In adult books, we rarely hear the voice of child. The language and many of the thoughts are too mature for a child, but the author made me believe that they are from one. I also enjoyed the image of their unique cord stretching and thinning.

I listened to the audio book which was delightfully narrated by the author, Marcia Hutchinson.

The Mercy Step was longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction.