Book Review: "The Shape of Mercy" by Susan Meissner and Book Giveaway

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Tuesday, October 21. US addresses only. Good luck!

One of the few books where I wanted to Cry

Lauren is a rich girl who has chosen to be on her own, away from her wealthy family. She is a college student trying to fend for herself. She manages to get a job transcribing the diary of an ancestor of a former librarian. Lauren begins to get lost in the world of Mercy, a young woman living during the Salem Witch Trials. She finds herself being drawn into a tale that she knows will end tragically but she finds she cannot stop herself from reading. As she continues with her work, Lauren begins to see how a girl who lived centuries ago shares the same feelings and angst that she herself feels today.

Wow when I finished this book, I nearly broke down and cried. This book was so moving and heartbreaking.
Just like Lauren, it was difficult for me to keep reading Mercy's entries in the diary. Yet I too kept being drawn towards it. Even though I am one who tends to want to know the ending first, this time I didn't want the story to continue. I wanted Mercy to be able to enjoy her life as long as she could. I didn't want to read about the wrongful accusations and the hardships she was forced to suffer. And just like Lauren, I was not eager to read about her death. The Salem Witch Trials was a time in our nation's history that is very dark and one period that would like to be forgotten. I think what made the event more tragic was that it was supposedly all done in the name of Christianity. This unfortunately NOT Christ intended for his followers to act like. I understand their intentions but I really felt that the Puritans of that time didn't really understand God's love and grace. Lauren's story is equally as enthralling. I think the reason why I enjoyed it as much as I did was because she's around the same age as I am. I personally didn't see anything wrong with her way of thinking as opposed to her roommate, who actually got on my nerves at times. But I liked her character very much, and her job of transcribing the diary sounds like a dream job for a history major like myself. Abigail too held an interesting story, and it was hers that made me want to cry. A lifetime of regret due to being afraid to love. Susan Meissner has created another masterpiece. Every one of her books has made my top 10 list of the year and this one definitely will be added to it. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner is published by Waterbrook (2008)

Comments

  1. I agree - excellent, excellent book! Just loved it :)

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  2. I have not read this, but I would love to. I love to study the history on the Salem Witch trials and this book just looks awesome.


    angelleslament @ gmail.com

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  3. Anonymous10:33 AM

    I have heard about the Salem Witch trials but have never read anything about them. The book sounds very interesting. Enter me in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Anonymous10:48 AM

    Would love to win a copy of this to read. Thanks for the chance to do so.

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  5. Anonymous11:13 AM

    I'd love to read this book. Please enter my name. Thanks!

    bookhearth [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  6. A book I'd love to read. The diaries from the Salem Witch trials will certainly make it different than my usual Christian Fiction reading. It's always good to broaden the reading base :)
    mamakane at yahoo.com

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  7. This book looks amazing - I would love to win a copy!

    Janna
    ryanx6 at msn dot com

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  8. This sounds like a really good book and I'd like a chance to win!

    Leslie
    hugbandit7 at FR

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:30 PM

    Please enter my name. It sounds interesting. :o)

    ~Carla pluumeria at cox dot net

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  10. please enter me, it looks interesting
    lynnechrista@gmail.com

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  11. I LOVE the sound of this book, and would love to read it!

    Please enter me in the contest!

    Thank you,

    Becky C.
    rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

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  12. Anonymous4:37 PM

    Sounds like an interesting book - please enter my name in the drawing.

    Thanks,

    Penny at
    frugalberrygirl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. This sounds really, really good. I love reading about the Salem Witch Trials, so please enter me! Thanks so much!

    Jennifer (FR ID - kairilily)

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  14. Everything I've read about this book is amazing. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.

    stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  15. Anonymous7:17 PM

    This book must be really, really good. I keep hearing very good things about it.

    I'd love a chance to win!

    ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

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  16. Anonymous7:19 PM

    Sounds like a terrific book!!


    moocows53@yahoo.com

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  17. I visited Salem, MA about three weeks ago and know I will want to read this book. Thank you.

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  18. Thanks for dropping by Writing by Faith.

    Please enter me in your drawing for this book. It looks great!

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  19. Please include me for The Shape of Mercy drawing. Thanks!
    worthy2Bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

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  20. Reading your review makes me want to read this one. Please enter my name for the giveaway.
    smilingsal55 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  21. I am SO looking forward to reading this - please enter me in the drawing! :-)

    Thank you!

    Lindsey
    ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

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  22. Anonymous11:56 AM

    I've heard so much about this book! Please enter me. Thanks!

    author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

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  23. Yes, please enter me. Thanks!!

    cyeates[at]nycap[dot]rr[dot]com

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  24. I would love to win this book. Please enter me. My email is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

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  25. I would like to be entered in the contest. spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  26. Anonymous10:16 AM

    Your review makes me really want to read this book.

    should I win, you can PM me at PBS. I am alldatndensum.

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  27. Anonymous9:12 AM

    Great review! I'd love to read this one!

    sj3girls(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  28. Anonymous10:23 AM

    Please add me to your drawing.

    rcmjrobertson (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous8:52 PM

    The Shape of Mercy sounds excellent, and I would love to read it. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

    Deborah Piccurelli
    DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]net

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  30. I love Susan's books and would love to read this one as well.

    pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net

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  31. I have heard good things about this book and would love to read!
    Have a great weekend!

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  32. Hi, I've read several reviews of this book and it sounds like a great read!! Please count me in for the drawing! purposedrivenlife4you (at) gmail (dot) com

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  33. Your review of this book is wonderful! You have really made me interested in the subject matter and story line. Please enter my name in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous8:24 AM

    This books sounds like one I would enjoy reading -- thanks for the chance to win! Julie (JDobs at FR)

    ReplyDelete

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