The Mercies
What would happen to a community if the majority of its men died? The Mercies explores such a concept through Maren and the women of her isolated village. Set in Finnmark, Norway, 1617, Kiran Millwood Hargrave tells a compelling story. For the women left behind, survival means defying the strict rules of the island. But the foundation of this new feminine frontier begins to crack with the arrival of Absalom Cornet, a man sent from Scotland to root out alleged witchcraft. Cornet brings with him the threat of danger—and a pretty, young Norwegian wife named Ursa.
The idea behind this story really intrigued me. It got me thinking about what would happen if such a natural disaster were to happen in modern times. Would the women turn on each other, or form strong bonds that could withstand anything, including literal witch hunts? I’d like to think if this did happen in 2021, the women left behind would work together to survive, like Maren and her fellow villagers did before Cornet’s arrival.
It’s interesting how as soon as men from other villages, including Cornet, arrived in Finnmark, the peaceful life the women had created for themselves vanished. They took over the best houses in the village and forced the women back into their previous gender roles. I would have liked the men to have stayed away longer, perhaps forever. I believe Maren and the others could have managed just fine without them.
Although I was disappointed Maren and Ursa didn’t stay together at the end of the book, I think it was best Maren left Finnmark. She would have been the next victim of the witch hunt. With Cornet dead, Ursa could return to her loving sister, the fear of Cornet long gone.
The Mercies is a gripping novel inspired by a real-life witch hunt. Historical fiction lovers will enjoy it.
The Mercies Rating: ★★★★
The idea behind this story really intrigued me. It got me thinking about what would happen if such a natural disaster were to happen in modern times. Would the women turn on each other, or form strong bonds that could withstand anything, including literal witch hunts? I’d like to think if this did happen in 2021, the women left behind would work together to survive, like Maren and her fellow villagers did before Cornet’s arrival.
It’s interesting how as soon as men from other villages, including Cornet, arrived in Finnmark, the peaceful life the women had created for themselves vanished. They took over the best houses in the village and forced the women back into their previous gender roles. I would have liked the men to have stayed away longer, perhaps forever. I believe Maren and the others could have managed just fine without them.
Although I was disappointed Maren and Ursa didn’t stay together at the end of the book, I think it was best Maren left Finnmark. She would have been the next victim of the witch hunt. With Cornet dead, Ursa could return to her loving sister, the fear of Cornet long gone.
The Mercies is a gripping novel inspired by a real-life witch hunt. Historical fiction lovers will enjoy it.
The Mercies Rating: ★★★★