The Shape of Mercy Book Review

A book about the Salem Witch Trials? How could it not get any more exciting than that?

The Shape of Mercy is a great book that follows three ladies, Mercy Hayworth, Lauren Durough and Abigail Boyles, who all have very different stories, but somehow they are intertwined by love.

The book begins with Lauren Durough a girl who is the only child of a very wealthy businessman. She tries to live a "normal" life throughout the book, by living in the dorms at her college, finding a regular job and trying to make "normal" friends.

Lauren begins working for an older lady in Santa Barbara who has an old diary from a girl named Mercy Hayworth of the Salem Witch Trials. Lauren has been asked to transcribe it and so she begins to read the diary. Abigail, the older lady, helps with the deciphering of some of the words and as she does her and Lauren form an odd sort of friendship.

During the time that Lauren is transcribing the diary she meets Raul, who she mistakenly believes to be some f the "help" at a party for her uncle. It turns out he is a firend of her cousin who goes to school with him and is a premed student. Lauren then makes another mistake in thinking that now he is just another privileged kid easing his way through college. The reality is that he has worked hard to get where he's at and Lauren comes to realize this as they end up liking each other and subsequently begin dating.

Lauren finds out some disturbing things about the diary as she finishes it and is not happy with the way things end. She has an argument with Abigail and things blow up. As the book ends Lauren and Abigail find a way to reconcile and they learn that mercy can have many different meanings.

"The girl in between has learned that mercy is defined by its giver." - Susan Meissner


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

By the Numbers...

To my wonderful husband,

1- The number of children we have together. Hopefully another one sometime in the future, but until then we definitely have the cutest kid around!


2- The number of years we lived in Orange County. Some of the best times and hardest two years of our marriage. Especially since I was the one bringing home the bacon. ;-)


3- The number of "big" mission trips we've been on together. I LOVE that we were able to experience Kenya together and that we were able to serve the kids in London with each other and that we got to go to New York again, but this time serving God.


4- The number of folding chairs we used to have until you told me to put one in the shower to sit on after I sprained my ankle and it soaked through to the cardboard part. But that's okay cuz it just means we can now only have three people over instead of four. ;-)


5- The number of years we've now been back at Mag and I wouldn't change it for anything. Even though I was super hesitant to come back to Riverside we knew this is where God wanted us to be and still does!


6- The number of times you've been to Nashville for Lifeway. I love that you get to consult for/work with them, but when are you gonna take me again? Just don't take me when it's 90 degrees and the humidity is at 90%.


7- The number of times we've moved. Which is crazy, but I think we may be pros at it now. Do we ever have to move again? :-)


8- The number of spiders a person swallows on average in a lifetime. I'm thinking it might be more for you, since you tend to get bit by spiders a lot!


9- The number of times I've asked you if I could have a turtle and no matter how sad I look and how much of a puppy dog face I give you I'm still told to go research it and then we can discuss the whole turtle as a pet thing. :-)


10- The number of years we've been married. Through all the crazy, beautiful, sad and happy times these last ten years I love you more each day! I wouldn't change the last ten years for anything and I can't wait for 60 more! :-)

I LOVE You! Happy 10th Anniversary Mikey!!