Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Inspired by real historical events, The Mercies is a breathtaking story of love, fear and obsession, and the strength and courage of women.

The Mercies

After the men in an Arctic Norwegian town are wiped out, the women must survive a sinister threat in this "perfectly told" 1600s parable of "a world gone mad" (Adriana Trigiani). Finnmark, Norway, 1617. Twenty-year-old Maren Magnusdatter stands on the craggy coast, watching the sea break into a sudden and reckless storm. Forty fishermen, including her brother and father, are drowned and left broken on the rocks below. With the menfolk wiped out, the women of the tiny Arctic town of Vardø must fend for themselves. Three years later, a stranger arrives on their shore. Absalom Cornet comes from Scotland, where he burned witches in the northern isles. He brings with him his young Norwegian wife, Ursa, who is both heady with her husband's authority and terrified by it. In Vardø, and in Maren, Ursa sees something she has never seen before: independent women. But Absalom sees only a place untouched by God, and flooded with a mighty evil. As Maren and Ursa are drawn to one another in ways that surprise them both, the island begins to close in on them, with Absalom's iron rule threatening Vardø's very existence. Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials, The Mercies is a story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization.

cedar winslow

She does not send her mind flying away. She is only her body, and Maren's hand upon her, and in her, and she could weep with the kindness of it, the ache of it. She did not know, she thinks: she did not know it could be like this.

The secret doesn't gnaw at her. Rather she feels strengthened by it, forged into something glittering and rare. 

There is no blessing so complete as bread.

"God provides," says Toril, though the ache in Maren's arm tells her it was not God but they who brought this catch home. 

After the men in an Arctic Norwegian town are wiped out, the women must survive a sinister threat in this "perfectly told" 1600s parable of "a world gone mad" (Adriana Trigiani). Finnmark, Norway, 1617. Twenty-year-old Maren Magnusdatter stands on the craggy coast, watching the sea break into a sudden and reckless storm. Forty fishermen, including her brother and father, are drowned and left broken on the rocks below. With the menfolk wiped out, the women of the tiny Arctic town of Vardø must fend for themselves. Three years later, a stranger arrives on their shore. Absalom Cornet comes from Scotland, where he burned witches in the northern isles. He brings with him his young Norwegian wife, Ursa, who is both heady with her husband's authority and terrified by it. In Vardø, and in Maren, Ursa sees something she has never seen before: independent women. But Absalom sees only a place untouched by God, and flooded with a mighty evil. As Maren and Ursa are drawn to one another in ways that surprise them both, the island begins to close in on them, with Absalom's iron rule threatening Vardø's very existence. Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials, The Mercies is a story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization. One of the Best Books of the Year USA Today Good Housekeeping

Jasper

Everything is made blurred and grey by the weather, and the commissioner's wife has set an uneasiness rocking inside her, though she can't name why. She feels she must know her. The yellow dress ghosts through Maren's daydreams: she had become obsessed with recalling it. How soft and giving the woven fabric was against her wrist as she pulled tight the coat, how bright it was, how much was gathered into its loose pleats, enough to wrap three people. The woman's sweet breath, her fingernails pale and delicate.

Francine Corry

On Christmas Eve, 1617 the women of Vardo, Norway, an island in the far north watched in horror as their husbands, fathers and sons fishing boats all sank in a storm. The women all tumble into a shared grief in the aftermath. But in such a catastrophe, some feel the need to lay blame and the powers that be seem willing to assist them.

Maren Magnusdotter, was there to watch in horror as she lost her father, brother and fiance in a finger-snap. She balances in a new world to fight for survival, to protect her sister-in-law who is a Sami and appease her mother in her newly found righteous religion. A commissioner has been summoned to search for witches and persecute the Sami who are pagan and suspect.

I have been wanting to read this since seeing it on the upcoming releases last year and with it landing on the best of lists for 2020, I knew it was time to move it up on my tbr. I am always happy to find my first 5 star early in the new year.

I hope it is a good sign.

Kendall McClain

There was not a moment of this book that was not painful. My prof fully made this out to be a romance and we read twilight and Bridget jones before this, so boy was I unprepared. I am currently very distressed after that ending. The only historical fiction narratives I actually enjoy are repressed lesbians so this was good and I do love a beautifully written heart wrenching story but wtf

Julie Burszan 

I want to say this book started as a slow burn, but that 
seems insensitive given the subject matter. 

This book is really good and I am devastated after finishing it.

Oooof this one got me good. Kiran Millwood Gargraves constructs a stunning atmosphere. Her writing invokes the chill of the coldest winter, and the warmth of the most tender touch. Her descriptions of smells place the reader right in the setting, immersing them in the penetrating cold of the Norwegian winter. Great book. 

Lisa Lindquist 

I was a WRECK as soon as I finished this book. This is a slow burn book. The story picks up little by little and completely sucks you into the cold desolate environment where the story takes place. 

I don't want to spoil the book. I think it's best going into it not knowing too much. But my gosh the slow burn Sapphic romance was to die for. <3 I could feel my heart in my throat. It's kind of like those subtle Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie) scenes that just kind of tear into you. 

However, I was also filled with such a simmering rage the entire time because the romance is a subplot and the main story is the witch trials that took place. And oh, was I pissed at every single man and woman that accused innocent people of being a witch. God, my blood BOILED. 

Gisela Ayala 

I was a WRECK as soon as I finished this book. This is a slow burn book. The story picks up little by little and completely sucks you into the cold desolate environment where the story takes place. 

I don't want to spoil the book. I think it's best going into it not knowing too much. But my gosh the slow burn Sapphic romance was to die for. <3 I could feel my heart in my throat. It's kind of like those subtle Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie) scenes that just kind of tear into you. 

However, I was also filled with such a simmering rage the entire time because the romance is a subplot and the main story is the witch trials that took place. And oh, was I pissed at every single man and woman that accused innocent people of being a witch. God, my blood BOILED. 

Allegra Mejri

A gripping novel inspired by a real-life witch hunt . . . Beautiful and chilling' Madeline Miller, author of CirceOn Christmas Eve, 1617, the sea around the remote Norwegian island of Vardø is thrown into a reckless storm. As Maren Magnusdatter watches, forty fishermen, including her father and brother, are lost to the waves, the menfolk of Vardø wiped out in an instant. Now the women must fend for themselves. Eighteen months later, a sinister figure arrives. Summoned from Scotland to take control of a place at the edge of the civilized world, Absalom Cornet knows what he needs to do to bring the women of Vardø to heel. With him travels his young wife, Ursa. In Vardø, and in Maren, Ursa finds something she has never seen before: independent women. But Absalom sees only a place untouched by God and flooded with a mighty and terrible evil, one he must root out at all costs. Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials, Kiran Millwood Hargrave's The Mercies is a story about how suspicion can twist its way through a community, and a love that may prove as dangerous as it is powerful.

Carrington Kinslow

What I found in this book was completely unexpected. Rather than focusing on the accusations of witchcraft against women and their brutal killings, that actually just serves a backdrop for the "The Mercies'" actual focus, which is on the budding relationship between Maren and Ursa. I'm not necessarily disappointed in this, but I do wish there had been more of a linear plot that paid more attention to the witchcraft. When it did finally become the book's main threat, it was rather rushed and ended abruptly. I think this book is advertised as being more dark than it really is. If you really want to read about witch trials, this isn't the book for that. 

I also wouldn't consider this a romantic book. I found most of the love and tenderness to be found in the friendships. Maren and Ursa have a great relationship, but it isn't a romantic one for more than a few pages. I really loved their companionship, though. They were great friends to one another and it was nice to see them gently fall in love. But, the story stalled quite often when they weren't together. Maren's individual POVs were sometimes interesting, but I was very bored with Ursa's, especially when she was with her husband.

The prose is really nice, I'm a fan of Hargrave's writing style. But the pacing was pretty slow and I was just bored for a lot of it. Hargrave really dragged out things that were very insignificant, such as dinner parties and town gossip. But then what was of interest to me was so rushed. Such as the actual witch trials, Maren and Ursa's romantic relationship, and the ending in general. 

Overall, I liked this book. But I wanted more from it. 

"The Mercies" - 3/5 Stars

Fraser Simons

Well written inclusive historical fiction. It does what it says on the tin. While it didn’t exceed my expectations, it was a solid read.

Alli

If you like pining and tragedy with your sapphic romances this is the book for you! This book was absolutely devastating. The writing was beautiful - I am not normally a historical fiction fan because I have trouble visualizing the scenery BUT the whole time reading I felt like I was there on the island with the characters. The characters themselves are also so well developed and you feel everything they feel - their grieving, pain, anger, and love.

The Sunday Times Bestseller and BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick 2020 ‘Chilling and page-turning’ - The Times ‘Dark, dramatic and full of danger’ - Daily Mail ‘Gripping’ - Madeline Miller ‘Took my breath away’ - Tracy Chevalier The storm comes in like a finger snap . . . Winter, 1617. The sea around the remote Norwegian island of Vardø is thrown into a vicious storm. A young woman, Maren, watches as the men of the island, out fishing, perish in an instant. Vardø is now a place of women. Eighteen months later, a sinister figure arrives. Absalom Cornet has been summoned to bring the women of the island to heel. With him travels his young wife, Ursa. In her new home, and in Maren, Ursa encounters something she has never seen before: independent women. But where Ursa finds happiness, even love, Absalom sees only a place flooded with a terrible evil, one he must root out at all costs . . . For readers of Circe and The Handmaid’s Tale, Kiran Millwood Hargrave's The Mercies is a story about how suspicion can twist its way through a community, and about a love that could prove as dangerous as it is powerful. ‘A beautifully intimate story of friendship, love and hope’ - Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain ‘Strong characters, gorgeous settings’ - Sarah Moss, Guardian ‘Something rare and beautiful’ - Marian Keyes

The Sunday Times Bestseller

Emma Parker

A heart stopping novel about the witch trials in Norway in 1610. 

Brittney Wilson

Surface level throughout. Abrupt change in the last few chapters where it turns into a clichéd action adventure story that clashes with its previous intentions.

Jenny Ramsay

taylor miles hopkins

Imie Kent-Muller

There has been some fantastic historical fiction released recently, and a few that focus on witches, so I was really excited to hear about Kiran Millwood-Hargraves latest book The Mercies, which is her first adult novel. Pan Macmillan heard my squeals of excitement so they sent me an early copy! 

What intrigued me the most about this book was that it was not set in the usual places for witch trials. Kiran Millwood Hargrave takes us up north to Vardo, a Norwegian island, to tell a story based off true events. On Christmas Eve 1617, the majority of the men on the island were wiped out by a crazy storm at sea. The women were left to look after themselves and the island. Eighteen months later, a sinister man and his wife arrive on the island, the man is convinced that there is evil at work and sets out to eradicate the problem. 

This story is rich in historical details, and I'll be fascinated to learn more (which is a sign of a brilliant historical novel in my eyes). Based of the tragic events of 1617 and the witch trials in 1621, this beautiful atmospheric read explores relationships, grief, power and suspicion. The way Hargrave has connected modern day issues to this old piece of history is genius. If you're looking for a gorgeous tale that will hit you in the heart, then this is for you. Beautiful, emotional, powerful. This historical read will magic you away.

alyssa

interesting setting and premise but the author tried too hard to write poetic/lyrical prose that weighed down the story instead of elevating it

Rose Stanley

** spoiler alert **
           Seventh book of Tis the Damn Readathon

Album: Lover
Prompt: Lover (Read a five star prediction)

Why yes I did immediately read YET ANOTHER book based on real life humans being terrible to other humans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vard%C3...

Saw pretty much all of this coming but it still gave me THE RAGE (especially Chapters 32 to 34).

Me, every time Toril, Absalom or Maren's mother said or did pretty much anything: https://youtu.be/RAkSkMRwPYs 

The descriptions of the little details of everyday life are so well done, which adds an extra layer of unnerving whenever things shift from 'oh here are some lovely cosy domestic scenes, maybe this community is ok and not in any way doomed' to 'heyyyyy soooo just wanted to remind you that the most powerful people in this story are also the most sexist and racist and yeahhhh some people are probably going to die because of it, also fun fact women who you'd think would be allies are going to side with the misogynists because they obviously subconsciously hate themselves as much as they hate foreigners (but not white foreigners from Scotland, those ones are ok I guess?)'

Honestly kind of wish Ursa had run off with the ship's captain when she had the chance.
(Headcanon: Ursa finds him again after the end of the book and they get to be happy)
(Also headcanon: Maren finds Diina after the end of the book and they also get to be happy)
(NB: These are the only people who get a happy ending. No one else is allowed)
(Especially not Toril)
(She knows what she did)

PS: There is a memorial in Vardo to the real life victims of this particular breed of dangerous stupidity. Hopefully one day, I will go there to pay my respects.

Jen Estrella

What a phenomenal book - certainly one of the best historical fiction novels I have read in a long time. Gripping story, haunting prose, immersive setting, well-developed characters, strong messaging... I could go on and on. I highly recommend picking this one up if you, like me, enjoy the subgenre of historical fiction that delves into religion and persecution of women from the 1200s to 1800s. This one in particular is inspired by the events of the Vardø witch trials. I can also guarantee that you'll love this book, if you enjoyed Hannah Kent's Burial Rites or Julie Berry's The Passion of Dolssa.

Also, the writing!! 
  As she watches, a final flash of lightning illuminates the hatefully still sea, and from its blackness rise oars and rudders and a full mast with gently stowed sails, like underwater forests uprooted. Of their men, there is no sign. 
It is Christmas Eve.
Bone-chilling. I can read this again and again even just to immerse myself in that bleak but beautiful writing. 

I'm happy to report that the ending broke me. I only wish the last section was longer and as drawn out as the first two, but that could also just be me not wanting the story to end. 
  "It is knowing that all your joy is bound up in another, and to be parted from it would be to live without light for the rest of your days."
And now I am sad. Why do I always end up reading the best books at the beginning of the year? :(

Annaluce

very interesting themes but it took a really looong time to get to the tinteresting part

Jennifer

I'm pleasantly surprised. I got through the most of this lovely & feminist historical fiction within one day. Based on the 17th century Witch Hunt in a remote part of Norway, this novel is packed with a strong cast of female characters and it dives into the human nature that sparked the hysteria of Witch Hunt due to the storm that precedes the Trials. While it's a relatively short and smooth read, it packed the suspicions in the tightly knit community and the two main female characters are relatively well fleshed out (though I must admit I would love to have seen more cameo appearance of Ursa's family members though the juxtaposition between the actual events and her reminiscence nevertheless felt comforting). Overall, a very readable historical novel which brings life out of a relatively remote & little-known historical event yet the human qualities nevertheless resonates in the present day.

4.5 stars.

Loved this. LOVED IT. The framing of the story was perfect and it was written very well.

But DAMN IT, it would've been a perfect 5 stars if (view spoiler)[it'd had a happier ending. I hate that Maren went off on her own instead of running away with Ursa. Most upsetting. (hide spoiler)] I was definitely left wanting more, as the ending felt rushed. I want to know what happened next!

I'm probably dreaming, but I'd love a sequel that rectifies that.

The Mercies

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