Some books are so evocative that they create feelings that remain long after you read them. As I sit here now in midsummer to write about The Mercies, I feel chilled, cold and shivery. Hargrave is just that good in describing a village named Vardø, situated close to the Arctic Circle  and the people who live there in 1617. This story of strong women and fearful men is one that will remain with you for a long time.

The women of Vardø watched in horror as a rogue wave capsized and drowned nearly all the men of the village as they were fishing off the coast of their tiny village. Isolated and alone, the village women, out of necessity, began to slowly  take over the jobs that the men usually did. Defying the laws of the patriarchy, they fished and went hunting trying to prepare for the long winter ahead. Maren, who had lost both a brother and a father, did what she could to provide and protect her mother and her pregnant sister-in-law, who was one of the indigenous women from the island. It was hard, but the women were united and making progress and doing what needed to be done.

Then like another rogue wave, Absalom Cornet and his Norwegian wife, Ursa arrive. Absalom is a famous witch hunter who seeks out anyone who might have brought evil into the village. Focusing  especially those who might have embraced indigenous ideas or threatened the patriarchal order which he claims are evidence of evil. Suspicious, proud and greedy for recognition, Absalom begins to stir up the village, pitting the women against each other, while Maren, against her better judgement, befriends Ursa who is lost in this remote wilderness. As their friendship grows and the full extent of what Absalom intends becomes clear, Maren and Ursa struggle to find ways to protect the village as well as their own unexpected feelings for each other.

Based on real events in Norway this story is about the strength and resilience of women and the fragility  and fear of men who must always diminish and infantilize women in order to feel strong. Although this is a cautionary tale from the past, the evil it describes is alive and present even now in our world.

Brenda’s Rating: *****(5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Lauren, Sharon, Keith and Ken.

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in e-book format.