Mercy Among the Children

Here is a book about poverty, both of the spirit and of the pocket. Written in spare, tidy prose with exceptional characterizations, it is a dark tale periodically shot through with veins of pure gold; moments of such exquisite sweetness (in the character of little Percy, or the aging but quietly heroic Jay Beard) that they are painful. There is nothing stock about the narrative or about the characters who are among the most fully realized I've ever read. The good people (the Hendersons) are all forgivably flawed in some small way. And the bad people are understandable in their angry manipulations, in their negative strengths and human weaknesses. This is not light reading but it is potent and powerful, an evocation of the lengths to which the very poor can be driven. Lyle Henderson, son of the Job-like Sydney, narrator of the family history is a most believably tortured and loving soul. One hopes, throughout this book, for affirming moments that never materialize. Yet there is such truth here that I found it impossible not to keep reading.I am dismayed that I didn't know of the award-winning David Adams Richards before reading this book, but I will certainly be reading his other books at the first possible opportunity. The author's talent is rare and wonderful; his eye is clear and he wastes no time on frilly adjectives. This is prose (and truth) at its purest--a truly remarkable achievement.My highest recommendation.

Although fictional, Mercy among the children portrays what could be a real life drama. From beginning to end, Richards shows great insight and understanding of human nature. His characters through the generations are believable and consistent. The issues of Morality and Justice intertwined throughout the story lines evoke strong emotions. This was a book I couldn't put down and when finished, wanted to share with others. It was easy to read, even though the themes continues to haunt.

I believe that I can easily say this is one of my all time favorite reads. It is wonderfully written, the life philosophy it portrays is ideological but many times it gives you a painful feeling for what is happening to the Henderson family. The Hendersons seem to go through many hardships throughout their lives. Both husband and wife, and their two children, from the day they first interact with society they feel they are different, or even outcasts. Sydney refuses to fight back, or think badly about anybody, even his greatest "enemies" though they put him through hell. He insists to be there for them when they need help, and to be kind to them whenever their paths may cross. His son Lyle, and the narrator of the story, witnesses that his father's niceness does not pay back, "the others" continue on hurting them, and plotting for Sydney's fall. Lyle decides to be different from his father, that he will always fight back and that he is not "fearful" like his father, and nobody will ever hurt him or his family again. But as Lyle gets older, he sees that his philosophy of fighting back also does not help him in life. On the contrary events that progress always makes him think about his fathers words "He who hurts others hurts himself." It is definitely a book that most will enjoy reading, but if you are looking for a light read happy book, you might want to pass this one. It is a light read, because it's so well written but it is not a very happy book. I strongly recommend everybody to read this Canadian Giller prize winning novel from David Richard Adams.

I got this book for Christmas, and after reading the first few pages, which were pretty dull, I was ready to put it down. But I kept reading, and am I ever glad I did! The story is about a poor family in the Maritimes, and is told by the oldest son, Lyle. His family, especially his brilliant and gentle father, is subjected to extreme injustices almost unrelentingly, as others see Sydney as an easy target. Despite it all, Sydney insists on helping the very people who hurt him. Lyle becomes a very bitter and angry young man, and his solution to life's problems is to fight back, something his father refused to do. This story is outrageous and depressing, and the ending is bittersweet at best. Not the kind of book you'd expect to steal your heart, but the overriding grace and goodness of Sydney Henderson did just that. Richards is an extremely talented writer whose characters seemed almost more real than real people. I'd definitely recommend this book.