A Mercy by Toni Morrison (2008, Hardcover)

Toni Morrison makes you feel the emotions and situations of troubled characters who are caught and bound up in a world of brutality, danger, and beauty. The thoughts and language this Nobel Laureate gives to her characters are terrifying, beautifully explored, and unforgetable. Reading A MERCY is an immersion in a stange world which became both the history of the United States and the lingering reality for all people who journeyed to this country, as well as the heritage of their children. I am awed by the literay and moral power of this novel. How Toni Morrison merges the ravages of slavery, the threats of an undeveloped land - sickness of the body, soul and mind - and the enduring struggle for a better future is brilliant. In this short yet complex story, Dr. Morrison reasserts her place at the mountain top of American fiction. The review of this book by John Updike in the New Yorker magazine does not begin to do it justice. Read this novel: be prepared to feel amazed at its insight into the human condition. A MERCY is Literature at the pinnacle. I will have the privilege to hear Toni Morrison read from her new novel in Philadelphia on December 1. I can't wait! / Published in the United States on November 11, 2008. Reviewed by Linda J. Langham

I really liked the book for its great imagery and complex storyline. Toni morrison really made a great book only problem is that is can be extremly hard to follow since it is not in chronological order, at first i just got this book for a reading project but now i am keeping it for more than just that.

If you enjoyed BELOVED, then you will enjoy MERCY. Both books share Morrison's examination and struggle of African Americans during the days of slavery. Mercy, like Beloved is not a book that can be read through easily. I have read Beloved many times, and the more I read the novel the better I understand Morrison's objective/s in writing such a powerful book. I intend to read Mercy several times as well. Neither of the books are difficult to read, they are just powerful and Morrison's writing style is somewhat different than other writers. For instance, Morrison does not write a novel as Faulkner or Hemingway and so forth. This is not to say that do not appreciate Faulkner and Hemingway, but I am trying to say that Morrison will often travel back and forth as needed to keep the plot going.

This book Came within a few days, it was in great condition and i am Very Pleased with everything. also wrapped well for the shippign process. great book!

I had read about Toni Morrison in AARP so bought this book as it was highly recommended. To me it was hard to follow the characters, the plot, and time frames of characters. Unless you enjoy reading chapters twice to understand where you are at in the book I would not recommend this book. I DID get an insight of the sufferings and challenges of that era. I will pick it up again soon and re-read before re-listing on eBay. Also, if you buy from this eBay seller, don't expect feedback. I have asked twice to no avail. Thank you.

This was a good transaction. No qualms or problems with it. It cam when it was supposed to, and it wasn't late. It came early, in fact, and I am glad it did.

It was a greatly appreciated Christmas gift that the person I gave it to gave oit great reviews because she is a big Toni Morrison fan.

The book arrived in great condition, exceptional lead time. I'm not a literary giant, but I do read about 3 books a week. (History, biography, novels) This was Decembers pick for the book club I attend. I found "A Mercy" very difficult to read. I definitely found beauty, realism, irony and sadness in her story telling; I just felt as though separation/definition between characters and events were lacking. For me it was an experience, at times, of everything smearing together in a rambling heap. I wanted to read it because it was highly recommended, and on several book club lists. Personal reviews also give it great marks. For that reason, my conclusion is that it's probably just me...the writing style was not something I personally enjoyed.