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The Shape of Mercy
"We understand what we want to understand."
Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with convention and her family's expectations by choosing a state college over Stanford and earning her own income over accepting her ample monthly allowance. She takes a part-time job from 83-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles, who asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.
Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped in the worldview of the day, unable to fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstition, and Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.
The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?
Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with convention and her family's expectations by choosing a state college over Stanford and earning her own income over accepting her ample monthly allowance. She takes a part-time job from 83-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles, who asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.
Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped in the worldview of the day, unable to fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstition, and Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.
The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2008
488 people are currently reading
8315 people want to read
About the author
Susan Meissner
33 books9,266 followersSusan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.
She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.
She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,447 reviews
June 24, 2019
..
“We understand what we want to understand.”
This is a hauntingly strange journey of discovery, discerning the depth of bias and belief from different perspectives.
Mercy was an echo from the past, a link to our origins and observer to those things about us that never seem to change.
The heroine evaluated people by their values and worth while thinking she uniquely did not. She comes to the conclusion through her personal actions that she is actually the same as her father after all. Her recent judgments of those around her shocked her. She had underestimated everyone and she was disappointed in herself.
After Lauren completed the transcription of the diary, she totally disappointed me with her disrespect of the ownership of the diary. She totally invaded the privacy of the owner, Abigail.
I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to those who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love if we choose. Because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering within us. Mercy showed us our true selves, the beautiful and the awful, the deep and the shallow, the marvelous and the mortal. She revealed it all and begged us to take heed.
Then, after the diary had been transcribed and other valuable lessons had been experienced, Lauren chose to take the time to make a difference in someone else's life, which she realized was a very rewarding experience.
This tale bounces back and forth through time and keeps the reader captivated with inquisitiveness. It is a clean and wholesome read that I would recommend wholeheartedly.
*NOTE: I read this through Kindle, however, I could not find that book usage through Goodreads.
“We understand what we want to understand.”
This is a hauntingly strange journey of discovery, discerning the depth of bias and belief from different perspectives.
Mercy was an echo from the past, a link to our origins and observer to those things about us that never seem to change.
The heroine evaluated people by their values and worth while thinking she uniquely did not. She comes to the conclusion through her personal actions that she is actually the same as her father after all. Her recent judgments of those around her shocked her. She had underestimated everyone and she was disappointed in herself.
After Lauren completed the transcription of the diary, she totally disappointed me with her disrespect of the ownership of the diary. She totally invaded the privacy of the owner, Abigail.
I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to those who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love if we choose. Because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering within us. Mercy showed us our true selves, the beautiful and the awful, the deep and the shallow, the marvelous and the mortal. She revealed it all and begged us to take heed.
Then, after the diary had been transcribed and other valuable lessons had been experienced, Lauren chose to take the time to make a difference in someone else's life, which she realized was a very rewarding experience.
This tale bounces back and forth through time and keeps the reader captivated with inquisitiveness. It is a clean and wholesome read that I would recommend wholeheartedly.
*NOTE: I read this through Kindle, however, I could not find that book usage through Goodreads.
November 27, 2022
Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner was a bit disappointing to me. First of all: One of my all time favorite books that dates back to high school lit is The Crucible (I even kept the book and 36 years later still have it). Watching the main character transcribe the “diary” was fascinating. I could have read that forever. However, I did not like the add-on. Then there is the main character Lauren. The author did not distinguish between the two times lines. It took the reader a minute to realize they switched again. Lauren is a rich kid who isn’t sure how she feels about others of lessor fortune. Her stereotypes really bothered me. Her part in the book never really fit. The book was entertaining and fast moving. I don’t think there was a lot of research. Read The Crucible and you have that part of the book.
January 1, 2019
The Salem Witch trials are such a sad and fascinating time in US History. Meissner blends a woman from that time period with a current day story. The novel is well told and kept me turning pages.
September 23, 2010
This book could have been much better than it was. There were pretty interesting themes that the author tried to explore--of privilege, of parental expectations, of sacrifice, and others--and there was great potential in a diary written by a victim of the Salem witch trial, which could have been fascinating and tragic.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be very shallow. The diary was probably the worst; the writing was bad, uninteresting, unrealistic, and, worst of all, didn't touch me at all. I never cared about Mercy the way I would have liked to, the way Lauren and Abigail do, the way I would have if I'd read an actual diary (or a well written fake). It was predictable and a lot of what was written in it is not stuff that a girl would write about in her own personal diary; it was just there to further along the witch trial story. Then, when she was actually accused and arrested, the entries kept going, as if she could really write in her diary in jail. And even worse, the love story, which according to the characters is what the diary is about, was completely unmoving.
As for the modern day story, it was better written and more fleshed out, but not enough. Again, it was shallow. No growth or achievement that the characters accomplished was actually built, it just seemed to happen. Lauren's circumstances seem unlikely--she is a rich girl making a stand against her rich background by going to a state school and living in a dorm with the same roommate for two years...what kind of stand is that? All her relationships, with her roommate, her parents, her cousins, her employer, are awkward and hard to understand, and seem to change from day to day. The mistakes and assumptions that Lauren feels terrible about making are predictable and boring, and the mistakes and assumptions that she doesn't really address (or that the author tries to show she was right about) did a disservice to the character and to those around her, and left me with a bad taste. Her love story, like Mercy's was unmoving.
The problems in Abigail's life, including her own past love story, were more interesting than those of Mercy and Lauren, but the character was so unreachable and unlikeable that I didn't actually care. Moreover, the situation between Lauren and Abigail was bizarre and unlikely, so I found it hard to believe that any of this would be happening, or to care.
I could have done without the religious aspect of the book (there was an awful lot about religion in the modern day story that not only did I not care for but--more importantly--didn't ring true), but that was actually one of the least problematic areas of the book.
Another huge problem was the writing. I found nothing special or interesting about the prose, about any turn of phrase or any character's way of speaking. It was just uninteresting. Something that personally bothered me was how snippets that were supposed to be pieces of writing--the diary and e-mail messages--were written as if they were spoken. In the middle of an e-mail from Raul to Lauren is an uncapitalized and unpunctuated interruption from Cole, and then Raul continues his e-mail. What? It's not being transmitted instantaneously. In real life anyone would simply have deleted the interruption. Mercy, in her diary, explains why she has to stop writing, and then later wonders if she has enough ink. In writing. She wastes ink by writing down her worries about not having enough ink (which it's ridiculous for her to have brought with her in the first place). This really made it hard for me to take the story seriously.
Overall, I found this to be a big disappointment. It was a quick read and was somewhat entertaining, but it just wasn't deep or good.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be very shallow. The diary was probably the worst; the writing was bad, uninteresting, unrealistic, and, worst of all, didn't touch me at all. I never cared about Mercy the way I would have liked to, the way Lauren and Abigail do, the way I would have if I'd read an actual diary (or a well written fake). It was predictable and a lot of what was written in it is not stuff that a girl would write about in her own personal diary; it was just there to further along the witch trial story. Then, when she was actually accused and arrested, the entries kept going, as if she could really write in her diary in jail. And even worse, the love story, which according to the characters is what the diary is about, was completely unmoving.
As for the modern day story, it was better written and more fleshed out, but not enough. Again, it was shallow. No growth or achievement that the characters accomplished was actually built, it just seemed to happen. Lauren's circumstances seem unlikely--she is a rich girl making a stand against her rich background by going to a state school and living in a dorm with the same roommate for two years...what kind of stand is that? All her relationships, with her roommate, her parents, her cousins, her employer, are awkward and hard to understand, and seem to change from day to day. The mistakes and assumptions that Lauren feels terrible about making are predictable and boring, and the mistakes and assumptions that she doesn't really address (or that the author tries to show she was right about) did a disservice to the character and to those around her, and left me with a bad taste. Her love story, like Mercy's was unmoving.
The problems in Abigail's life, including her own past love story, were more interesting than those of Mercy and Lauren, but the character was so unreachable and unlikeable that I didn't actually care. Moreover, the situation between Lauren and Abigail was bizarre and unlikely, so I found it hard to believe that any of this would be happening, or to care.
I could have done without the religious aspect of the book (there was an awful lot about religion in the modern day story that not only did I not care for but--more importantly--didn't ring true), but that was actually one of the least problematic areas of the book.
Another huge problem was the writing. I found nothing special or interesting about the prose, about any turn of phrase or any character's way of speaking. It was just uninteresting. Something that personally bothered me was how snippets that were supposed to be pieces of writing--the diary and e-mail messages--were written as if they were spoken. In the middle of an e-mail from Raul to Lauren is an uncapitalized and unpunctuated interruption from Cole, and then Raul continues his e-mail. What? It's not being transmitted instantaneously. In real life anyone would simply have deleted the interruption. Mercy, in her diary, explains why she has to stop writing, and then later wonders if she has enough ink. In writing. She wastes ink by writing down her worries about not having enough ink (which it's ridiculous for her to have brought with her in the first place). This really made it hard for me to take the story seriously.
Overall, I found this to be a big disappointment. It was a quick read and was somewhat entertaining, but it just wasn't deep or good.
May 1, 2020
“The frail letters on the first page were barely legible; they looked like whispers, if whispers had form.”
― Susan Meissner, The Shape of Mercy
I love that quote. If this book had a form, I have no doubt its form would be beautiful.
For me, this book is a five. It’s haunting and tragic and just so Marvelous and seamless in its writing.
This book is about Lauren and Abilgail, a journal and the Salem Witch trials. It moved from the present to the past and back again. I couldn’t put this book down.
Both ladies were interesting characters, the story was fascinating and I finished it in a night.
I loved reading the journal entries and I think the Historical aspects interested me more then what was happening in the present.
The book was obviously very well researched and eerie to read but hauntingly beautiful nonetheless.
I adored the character of Mercy. It's kind of difficult to read because you know what ultimately is going to happen to her but I could not tear my eyes away from the pages.
5 stars. A beautiful and well written book.
― Susan Meissner, The Shape of Mercy
I love that quote. If this book had a form, I have no doubt its form would be beautiful.
For me, this book is a five. It’s haunting and tragic and just so Marvelous and seamless in its writing.
This book is about Lauren and Abilgail, a journal and the Salem Witch trials. It moved from the present to the past and back again. I couldn’t put this book down.
Both ladies were interesting characters, the story was fascinating and I finished it in a night.
I loved reading the journal entries and I think the Historical aspects interested me more then what was happening in the present.
The book was obviously very well researched and eerie to read but hauntingly beautiful nonetheless.
I adored the character of Mercy. It's kind of difficult to read because you know what ultimately is going to happen to her but I could not tear my eyes away from the pages.
5 stars. A beautiful and well written book.
February 22, 2011
I think my main problem with this book is that I had a hard time relating to and liking the main character. I have to admit that I have never had the problem of that kind of wealth, but when she starts out the book claiming that we should feel sorry for her because of it, I just don't find myself that sympathetic. Also, she is always thinking about herself and thinking about everybody in terms of money and it doesn't make her particularly, likeable. I'm not saying I don't want characters to have faults, because I do, but I still need to like them.
I also have a problem with the idea of someone never moving on from a teenage romance. I just don't find it believable.
I loved the history of the Salem witch trials, but didn't find myself moved by the diary entries like Lauren was, and like I think I was supposed to be. I wanted much more about Mercy in order to be that sucked in.
Over all, I think there were some beautiful ideas broached, but not explored as deeply as I wanted them to be. It was just too hard to care enough about it all because not enough seemed at stake.
Oh, and at the beginning, there is a whole set up for the ideas of talking with God, and being persecuted for believing He talks back to you (a la Joan of Arc), which leads into the story of Mercy, but it is never referred to again-the rest of the book is not about God at all, it is about romantic love.
I also have a problem with the idea of someone never moving on from a teenage romance. I just don't find it believable.
I loved the history of the Salem witch trials, but didn't find myself moved by the diary entries like Lauren was, and like I think I was supposed to be. I wanted much more about Mercy in order to be that sucked in.
Over all, I think there were some beautiful ideas broached, but not explored as deeply as I wanted them to be. It was just too hard to care enough about it all because not enough seemed at stake.
Oh, and at the beginning, there is a whole set up for the ideas of talking with God, and being persecuted for believing He talks back to you (a la Joan of Arc), which leads into the story of Mercy, but it is never referred to again-the rest of the book is not about God at all, it is about romantic love.
May 9, 2021
I've heard so many people raving about Susan Meissner recently and I decided to give her a try. I was very disappointed by this book. The premise was fascinating! I loved the idea of a modern college student transcribing the diary of a girl living during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. However, I felt no connection to the protagonist whatsoever. In fact, I found her pretty annoying. I think that was the point, as there was meant to be character growth, but it didn't feel like legitimate growth either. At the end, she realizes that she's been selfish, but then goes on and on about how terrible she is until the love interest finally says, "It's not all about you, Lauren!"
Overall, while it was an easy read, I felt no emotional connection to any of them (especially the modern day characters). I found it hilarious how much the author detailed the clothes that Lauren and her roommate wore. It made the book feel dated. It was odd that the book is meant to take place in 2008 (and that's when the book was published), but it mentions the girls wearing bell bottoms, which were not in style at that point (it was full fledged skinny jeans by then).
I felt more of a connection to the Salem Witch Trial storyline than the modern day one (though I did like Abigail). However, there are so many issues with the way that that particular storyline panned out ....
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
I found it highly problematic that when Mercy commits suicide, it is seen as an act of bravery and mercy. Maybe it's because of my own history with self-harm and suicide, but I don't think an act of suicide deserves applause. I don't think there needs to be condemnation or hatred toward a character that commits suicide, but I truly struggled with it being portrayed as brave. She killed herself for love so the guy she loved wouldn't speak out against her execution and then be condemned. However, she had already written an anonymous letter saying that she had bewitched him, so they wouldn't have tried him for witchcraft if he had spoken out. They would've blamed it on Mercy, not John. So her reasoning is faulty. Perhaps that wouldn't have bothered me quite as much if this wasn't billed as a Christian book, but that makes the element of glorifying suicide that much worse. This book would've been a 2 or 3 star, but I don't think an author (especially a Christian one) should be romanticizing suicide and portraying it as an act of love and bravery.
Overall, while it was an easy read, I felt no emotional connection to any of them (especially the modern day characters). I found it hilarious how much the author detailed the clothes that Lauren and her roommate wore. It made the book feel dated. It was odd that the book is meant to take place in 2008 (and that's when the book was published), but it mentions the girls wearing bell bottoms, which were not in style at that point (it was full fledged skinny jeans by then).
I felt more of a connection to the Salem Witch Trial storyline than the modern day one (though I did like Abigail). However, there are so many issues with the way that that particular storyline panned out ....
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
I found it highly problematic that when Mercy commits suicide, it is seen as an act of bravery and mercy. Maybe it's because of my own history with self-harm and suicide, but I don't think an act of suicide deserves applause. I don't think there needs to be condemnation or hatred toward a character that commits suicide, but I truly struggled with it being portrayed as brave. She killed herself for love so the guy she loved wouldn't speak out against her execution and then be condemned. However, she had already written an anonymous letter saying that she had bewitched him, so they wouldn't have tried him for witchcraft if he had spoken out. They would've blamed it on Mercy, not John. So her reasoning is faulty. Perhaps that wouldn't have bothered me quite as much if this wasn't billed as a Christian book, but that makes the element of glorifying suicide that much worse. This book would've been a 2 or 3 star, but I don't think an author (especially a Christian one) should be romanticizing suicide and portraying it as an act of love and bravery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2015
This is more of a 2.5 for me; I randomly picked it up at the library one day and it was a quick read- but nothing I'd stay up all night reading. I thought the lead character was believable and relatable.
My only issue with the book was that I felt the author tried too hard to make a bigger issue out of things than what was really there. The moral of the story is not to judge people so quickly without knowing them, a lesson the main character learns several times throughout the book. However, I think some of the examples used in the book to show how Lauren often pre-judged people she knew were weak. In fact, some of the conclusions Lauren drew about situations seemed pretty natural to me and nothing to indicate her as “judgy.” The human brain is designed to take short cuts; in the case of her assuming Abigail dumped her lover because of money was a natural conclusion that even I assumed, and I'm far from rich. Class was a bigger issue back in Abigail's days, and it would have been a big deal for a young, rich society girl to marry a gardener’s son; it's the way things were.
Also, her assumptions about the cousin’s roommate (forgot his name) were pretty natural too. If you bump into someone in your home you don’t expect to be there who, at first glance, appeared to be wearing a uniform of sorts, I’d also assume he worked there as well. Actually, I made a lot of the same assumptions she did and I don’t come from her type of background.
I guess none of this is a big deal, but I think this bothered me so much because the author made such an effort to make this the moral of the book, and it came off as false and didn't really work for me.
My only issue with the book was that I felt the author tried too hard to make a bigger issue out of things than what was really there. The moral of the story is not to judge people so quickly without knowing them, a lesson the main character learns several times throughout the book. However, I think some of the examples used in the book to show how Lauren often pre-judged people she knew were weak. In fact, some of the conclusions Lauren drew about situations seemed pretty natural to me and nothing to indicate her as “judgy.” The human brain is designed to take short cuts; in the case of her assuming Abigail dumped her lover because of money was a natural conclusion that even I assumed, and I'm far from rich. Class was a bigger issue back in Abigail's days, and it would have been a big deal for a young, rich society girl to marry a gardener’s son; it's the way things were.
Also, her assumptions about the cousin’s roommate (forgot his name) were pretty natural too. If you bump into someone in your home you don’t expect to be there who, at first glance, appeared to be wearing a uniform of sorts, I’d also assume he worked there as well. Actually, I made a lot of the same assumptions she did and I don’t come from her type of background.
I guess none of this is a big deal, but I think this bothered me so much because the author made such an effort to make this the moral of the book, and it came off as false and didn't really work for me.
May 22, 2014
This book has so many aspects about books that I love:
1. Beautiful writing
2. Thought provoking characters (I'm a psychology nerd and love to analyze people.)
3. Historical Fiction (I love to feel like I am getting an insight into the past when I read.)
4. Modern day experiences (and love :)
5. References to some of my favorite books.
I so wish I would have read this before book club selections were made. It's a great book and reminds me of books by Kate Morton. I thought it was a religious book, but it is a fiction book with a little bit of a religious aspect, but it's really not that religious.
1. Beautiful writing
2. Thought provoking characters (I'm a psychology nerd and love to analyze people.)
3. Historical Fiction (I love to feel like I am getting an insight into the past when I read.)
4. Modern day experiences (and love :)
5. References to some of my favorite books.
I so wish I would have read this before book club selections were made. It's a great book and reminds me of books by Kate Morton. I thought it was a religious book, but it is a fiction book with a little bit of a religious aspect, but it's really not that religious.
October 26, 2019
A 3 to a 3.5 in my rating. This historical fiction book is based on witches in Salem. The book kept my interest and being that Halloween is right around the corned, the timing was perfect. A decent read .
August 12, 2015
*This is a review fresh post from one originally written in 2008.
This post has been updated, thanks to my new format with the
Ultimate Book Blogger Plugin on August 11, 2015.*
This is one of the most deeply moving novels that I have ever read, and without a doubt it is going on my favorites' shelf in my permanent library. The Shape of Mercy is a story that crosses generations and is both historical and contemporary. I can easily find myself relating to Mercy from early American history as well as Lauren from contemporary life. Life and love is an incredibly deep concept and is amazing how they affect our day to day lives and decisions. As human beings, no matter what century we live in, we care about what other people think (no matter how much we argue it) and live our lives in a small manner to fit into a specific place. The sociology of our day to day environment shapes us and often times it is to something that we do not like, but it is what it is and what we need to live with. Susan Meissner is an incredible organizer of words that fits together some beautiful poetry and prose to give the shape of the ideal of mercy. Through this book, I was taken into three different worlds and captivated. Life went on for me outside of this book, but the book never left my thoughts. Lauren dreamed of Mercy, and I dreamed of them all. Susan created a masterpiece that stays with you and makes you think. This is the first I have read from her, and I cannot wait to pick up something else equally as inspirational and convicting. I do not know how to go pick up another book after such an experience.
This review was originally posted on www.CreativeMadnessMama.com
November 19, 2018
There were several gripping themes throughout this book, a girl’s diary from the Salem witch trials who turns out to be innocent. An old lady who’s been holding on to this diary-almost keeping it a secret. I enjoyed the storyline more than I thought I would, and there was more of a moral to the story than some of her books. We can’t look down on others because of what they have or don’t have. Love people for who they are.
January 22, 2014
Great book. Loved the characters and the lessons it reinforces about stigmas and preconceived notions about people. Also that sometimes it takes an entire lifetime to learn our lessons and that when it happens in a lifetime consider it a blessing. Really loved Abigail....so human and so sad in her flaws.
Read
January 21, 2019Thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. It isn't time slip, but does incorporate a fictional diary from the Salem witch trial era that provided a parallel plot. Meissner succeeded in addressing a dark period of history without actually getting oppressively dark.
January 11, 2014
I am totally in awe of Susan Meissner. This is the first book of hers that I have read and it won't be the last. The way that she was able to capture the 1600's and also write in the present was truly magnificent. The characters are real. I felt as if I was with Mercy in Salem Village, and with Lauren in Santa Barbara. This book hits me on a personal level as well....In reading the book, and my own limited knowledge about the Salem Witch Trials hearing the behavior described that the men and women who were accused of being witches had; fits, tremors, twitching, etc. really makes me thankful that I wasn't born in that time period. I say that because that behavior is very close if not identical to Epilepsy a disorder that I have. It makes me wonder how many in Salem were accused of being witches who were MURDERED, and were actually sick. Since they didn't have the medical knowledge that we have today it was just easier to accuse and blame. This book will make you step back and make you think twice about making a quick judgement about someone, it will also show you Mercy in another light. I highly recommend this book, and I give it a lighthouse and shine a light on it for leading a path to God!
January 30, 2022
An amazing story within a story. The Salem witch hunts are central, but it's how the author takes this example of bias, judgement, and betrayal and shows us how prevalent it still is today. There is a clear message regarding stigma, and how dangerous it can be. I loved the twining together of past and present, and the growth and recognition that is shown in the characters. An excellent read I would highly recommend.
May 25, 2009
An incredible read. No wonder it won fiction of the year at the Medallion of Excellence (ECPA) awards.
March 21, 2025
This is one of my all time favorites. I learned so much about the Salem Witch trials. Both of the stories in this novel are really good.
November 23, 2017
I had this as an audio book. It was excellent. If someone is not a Christian, it would not matter. It is about love, life, forgiveness and accepting who you are. The subject matter of the Salem witch trials is no doubt depressing and sad. However, if you wait until the end, you might see how it all turns out to be a message of hope in a time of darkness.
January 10, 2009
About the book:
“We understand what we want to understand.”
Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with convention and her family’s expectations by choosing a state college over Stanford and earning her own income over accepting her ample monthly allowance. She takes a part-time job from 83-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles, who asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.
Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped in the worldview of the day, unable to fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstition, and Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy’s story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.
The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?
My review:
The Shape of Mercy is the kind of book you want to read more than once. There is so much in it to ponder! I adore books that leave me with a sense that I received something deeper than just a story by the end of the book. I love books that make me feel connected to the characters, too. We all tend to judge things based on first impression and we all have biases as the result of our upbringing and family/culture we were raised in. It's interesting to see how much Lauren's self-perception is based on something that isn't even true, and the same goes for her perception of others and what motivates them.
It's not easy to write a story that is in the past and the present where both areas hold equal interest for me. In many books I have a preference for the historical portion and tolerate the contemporary part of the story for the sake of the novel. On occasion I even find myself tempted to just skip or skim the modern parts and read the historical portion by itself. In The Shape of Mercy both time periods held my interest. It was a very well-balanced book. The tender romances developing in both eras also warmed my heart. This is an unforgettable tale about love gained and lost, and of needless tragedy and wasted years. It's also a story of inner beauty and hope that will conquer guilt and regret if we let God work in our lives for our own benefit. Excellent story and one I'd highly recommend to anyone.
The Shape of Mercy was published by Waterbrook/Random House and released in Sept. 2008.
March 18, 2011
I’ve reviewed quite a few books over the past few years. Some I’ve had a lot of fun reviewing, some were more sober endeavors. But I haven’t actually feared reviewing any of them.
Until now.
Why fear? Well, because of the two things I think people fear most: the unknown and failure. I don’t know how to best approach representing this incredible story, and, regardless of the approach I choose, I’m certain I’ll fail to do the book justice.
So, you’re going to have to work with me here. Please be patient.
The Story. Lauren Durough is a young well-to-do university student in covert rebellion against her heritage. Abigail Broyles is an elderly well-to-do retiree in covert rebellion against her legacy. Interposed between them is Mercy Hayworth, an innocent victim of the horrific 17th-century Salem witchcraft trials. Okay, so how does that work? At the marvelously skillful hand of author Susan Meissner, it works exceedingly well.
Abigail retains Lauren to transcribe Mercy’s diary, a precious family heirloom. Lauren is to approach her task wrapped in a cloak of ignorance; that is, she must promise not to research the events surrounding the trials until she’s completed the transcription. Mercy Hayworth must be allowed to speak for herself, unfettered by historiography. Also woven into this cloak, though, is the real reason Abigail has selected Lauren as the transcriptionist, as is the effect the words of a simple girl from a distant era will have on her own self-perception.
An intriguing cast of supporting characters push and pull at Lauren throughout the story, adding their own contemporary thematic hue to the faded brown ink of Mercy’s ancient journal. Through it all, Lauren will either mature into her future or collapse under her past. There’s no other option.
The Writing. As writers, we’re encouraged to keep our readers on the edge, to force that next page turn, anything to breathe new life into the tired cliché “I couldn’t put it down.” There are techniques to do that, such as ending scenes and chapters with mini-cliffhangers, dangling questions that simply must be answered now. And gadgets like that have their place.
But then there’s writing like Ms. Meissner’s.
You know quality prose when you’re not sure you want to turn the next page, but find yourself compelled to do so—not because of a dangling question, but because the titanium thread binding the storyline blurs the distinction between pages, and so you go on. You have to. And you will.
Intense and honest, humorous and poignant; I’ve yet to read a book that I’d recommend more highly than "The Shape of Mercy."
Until now.
Why fear? Well, because of the two things I think people fear most: the unknown and failure. I don’t know how to best approach representing this incredible story, and, regardless of the approach I choose, I’m certain I’ll fail to do the book justice.
So, you’re going to have to work with me here. Please be patient.
The Story. Lauren Durough is a young well-to-do university student in covert rebellion against her heritage. Abigail Broyles is an elderly well-to-do retiree in covert rebellion against her legacy. Interposed between them is Mercy Hayworth, an innocent victim of the horrific 17th-century Salem witchcraft trials. Okay, so how does that work? At the marvelously skillful hand of author Susan Meissner, it works exceedingly well.
Abigail retains Lauren to transcribe Mercy’s diary, a precious family heirloom. Lauren is to approach her task wrapped in a cloak of ignorance; that is, she must promise not to research the events surrounding the trials until she’s completed the transcription. Mercy Hayworth must be allowed to speak for herself, unfettered by historiography. Also woven into this cloak, though, is the real reason Abigail has selected Lauren as the transcriptionist, as is the effect the words of a simple girl from a distant era will have on her own self-perception.
An intriguing cast of supporting characters push and pull at Lauren throughout the story, adding their own contemporary thematic hue to the faded brown ink of Mercy’s ancient journal. Through it all, Lauren will either mature into her future or collapse under her past. There’s no other option.
The Writing. As writers, we’re encouraged to keep our readers on the edge, to force that next page turn, anything to breathe new life into the tired cliché “I couldn’t put it down.” There are techniques to do that, such as ending scenes and chapters with mini-cliffhangers, dangling questions that simply must be answered now. And gadgets like that have their place.
But then there’s writing like Ms. Meissner’s.
You know quality prose when you’re not sure you want to turn the next page, but find yourself compelled to do so—not because of a dangling question, but because the titanium thread binding the storyline blurs the distinction between pages, and so you go on. You have to. And you will.
Intense and honest, humorous and poignant; I’ve yet to read a book that I’d recommend more highly than "The Shape of Mercy."
July 14, 2016
This beautiful story about Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials, feels so real that it made me start researching Mercy and the witch trials. Mercy was a real person, but hers is not the only story here. We walk her path, through her diary, along with Lauren (Lars) Durough, the wealthy college student trying to prove that she does not need her family's money by working for the mysterious Abigail Boyles, Mercy's 83-year-old descendant. All of these lives will bring up questions about assumptions, choices, love, regret, and forgiveness. I really enjoyed this novel.
The weaving of the diary story with Lauren and Abigail's lives is interesting. The concept has great potential, but the author seemed to struggle at times to bring the past and the present into a cohesive story. Lauren's struggles in her personal life to quit judging people based on perception ties in nicely with what happened in Salem, and it really makes you stop and think about how you look at those around you--family, acquaintances, and most definitely strangers. While Lauren is likeable and her part of the story is undeniably relevant, ultimately it was Mercy's diary that kept me curious and connected. Abigail's story is important, but weak compared to Mercy's legacy.
"We understand what we want to understand"
The weaving of the diary story with Lauren and Abigail's lives is interesting. The concept has great potential, but the author seemed to struggle at times to bring the past and the present into a cohesive story. Lauren's struggles in her personal life to quit judging people based on perception ties in nicely with what happened in Salem, and it really makes you stop and think about how you look at those around you--family, acquaintances, and most definitely strangers. While Lauren is likeable and her part of the story is undeniably relevant, ultimately it was Mercy's diary that kept me curious and connected. Abigail's story is important, but weak compared to Mercy's legacy.
"We understand what we want to understand"
December 19, 2008
Lauren Durrough, the only daughter of a privileged family, is looking to find her own way in the world, at her own expense and without her father’s help. She takes a part-time job from Abigail, an eighty-three-year-old woman who needs the diary of her ancestor transcribed. The diary belonged to Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.
Lauren is captivated by Mercy, a sweet girl who lived alone with her father on a farm. Mercy’s mother and younger brother died when Mercy was younger and she bides her time taking care of her sick father and writing stories.
As the journal progresses and Mercy’s death draws near, Lauren learns more about herself and her employer, Abigail. All three women are connected in various ways, learning to fight for love, to forgive, and to thrive no matter what obstacle life might bring.
This book was absolutely amazing! Heart-wrenching, bittersweet, mysterious, and all together brilliant. Susan Meissner is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Her characters are alive, as human as anyone can be. The horror of what people must have gone through during the Salem witch trials was haunting, and the way Ms. Meissner wove Lauren’s journey with Mercy and Abigail’s sucked me in. So very well done. Highly recommended.
Lauren is captivated by Mercy, a sweet girl who lived alone with her father on a farm. Mercy’s mother and younger brother died when Mercy was younger and she bides her time taking care of her sick father and writing stories.
As the journal progresses and Mercy’s death draws near, Lauren learns more about herself and her employer, Abigail. All three women are connected in various ways, learning to fight for love, to forgive, and to thrive no matter what obstacle life might bring.
This book was absolutely amazing! Heart-wrenching, bittersweet, mysterious, and all together brilliant. Susan Meissner is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Her characters are alive, as human as anyone can be. The horror of what people must have gone through during the Salem witch trials was haunting, and the way Ms. Meissner wove Lauren’s journey with Mercy and Abigail’s sucked me in. So very well done. Highly recommended.
May 8, 2013
I really liked this book! Loved the symbolism throughout and the title has many hidden meanings. I have always been fascinated with the Salem witch trials and enjoyed the fictional stories woven between modern time and the past. There was a great overall moral theme to the book and much to think about.
One of my favorite quotes from the book was "I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to someone who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love, if we choose, because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering in us."
Another turning point in the book was this quote by Lauren the main character:
"I just wish... I wish I didn't judge people by what they have or don't have. I wish I could see people for who they are on the inside before I come to any conclusions."
My dad blinked slowly and then said... "Yes, that would be better than the other, but it still makes you their judge."
This book was one of the winners of the Readers Group Guild-great read!
One of my favorite quotes from the book was "I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to someone who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love, if we choose, because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering in us."
Another turning point in the book was this quote by Lauren the main character:
"I just wish... I wish I didn't judge people by what they have or don't have. I wish I could see people for who they are on the inside before I come to any conclusions."
My dad blinked slowly and then said... "Yes, that would be better than the other, but it still makes you their judge."
This book was one of the winners of the Readers Group Guild-great read!
January 15, 2020
I’m a big Susan Meissner fan so I wanted to like this book more than I did. I believe this is one of her earlier books which would explain why it’s not as polished as her later writings.
I loved the historical fiction concept of the Salem witch trials. This book bounces back and forth be ten now and the late 1600s as our main character transcribes a diary of a convicted witch. The concept is excellent, but I feel the book could have been so much more.
First, I just didn’t like the main character that much. I thought she was overly sweet and naive. I did like that she struggled with her privilege and the way it made her see others, and I liked that as she read further into the diary she questioned her own perspective and behavior more. But her character annoyed me at times.
I loved diving into the diary, however. And I wish we could have gone deeper. More Mercy story, less Lauren. And we didn’t need the Lauren love interest. That was just clutter.
So, overall an enjoyable read, but 3 stars.
Oh and I loved that the housekeeper/cook had my name. I don’t get that a lot so that was fun. :)
I loved the historical fiction concept of the Salem witch trials. This book bounces back and forth be ten now and the late 1600s as our main character transcribes a diary of a convicted witch. The concept is excellent, but I feel the book could have been so much more.
First, I just didn’t like the main character that much. I thought she was overly sweet and naive. I did like that she struggled with her privilege and the way it made her see others, and I liked that as she read further into the diary she questioned her own perspective and behavior more. But her character annoyed me at times.
I loved diving into the diary, however. And I wish we could have gone deeper. More Mercy story, less Lauren. And we didn’t need the Lauren love interest. That was just clutter.
So, overall an enjoyable read, but 3 stars.
Oh and I loved that the housekeeper/cook had my name. I don’t get that a lot so that was fun. :)
March 21, 2014
Fear begets fear...The Shape of Mercy is about 3 women and their stories told in different times. Mercy, a young woman accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch trials. Lauren a college student majoring in English hired by Abigail to transcribe Mercy diary. Abigail, a 90 year old who is a in simple terms a hard nut to crack. What are her reasons for the diary to be transcribed? Why now, what for and where does this request lead for each of these women. These are my favorite type of reads, where there is several stories going and you have intrigue, tears and a self-discovery of truth. How we assume others and the what we believe about ourselves.
Each why answered leads to another why and for each women the answeres lead to redemption for each of them. My heart was touched and moved and challenged by each of these women in their discovery of Mercy.
Each why answered leads to another why and for each women the answeres lead to redemption for each of them. My heart was touched and moved and challenged by each of these women in their discovery of Mercy.
July 22, 2021
I don’t think I’ve listened to a book as fast as this one. Trying to get as many books in as I can of hers before I meet her next month! Eeeek
I’ve never read anything about the Salem Witch Trials- this book was intriguing. The secondary plot runs parallel to the main plot and is cleverly done.
Much truth about prejudices and assumptions
“I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to someone who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love, if we choose, because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering in us.”
I’ve never read anything about the Salem Witch Trials- this book was intriguing. The secondary plot runs parallel to the main plot and is cleverly done.
Much truth about prejudices and assumptions
“I used to think mercy meant showing kindness to someone who didn't deserve it, as if only the recipient defined the act. The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver. Our flaws are obvious, yet we are loved and able to love, if we choose, because there is that bit of the divine still smoldering in us.”
May 17, 2019
Loved this book. Meissner goes between the past (during the Salem witch trials) and the present to show a fascinating look about how the past shapes the present and future.
February 24, 2016
Highly recommended. Definitely a keeper.
November 26, 2024
My goal is to read Susan Meissner books down to zero, so I heard about the Shape of Mercy which had to do with the Salem Witch Trials in the 1600’s I had to pick up the book immediately!! This book did not disappoint. My only complaint that knocked down my rating was the ending. It was rushed and there was so much left unsaid. Other than the ending, this book had me invested from beginning to ending. I highly recommend this book and I gave it 4 stars!! What Susan Meissner book will I be reading next???
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