Lauren is hired by Abigail to transcribe a diary of a woman accused of being a witch in the 1600s and dying by hanging. As Lauren rebels against her parents' wealth, choosing things that don't exude money, she starts to feel a connection to the diary writer, Mercy Hayworth, who is Abigail's ancestor. Lauren sees many similarities between herself and Mercy, and the choices Mercy makes. As she reads more and more, she wonders about Abigail and her decision to hire Lauren.
The book is about prejudice, superstition, bending to norms, and making unwarranted judgments about people. As Lauren reads the diary, she comes to understand how she has behaved in her life, and the opinions she has formed - and whether or not they are justified. It is a novel about growth and self-examination, and shedding the preconceived notions of people.
Well written. ( )

“The frail letters on the first page were barely legible; they looked like whispers, if whispers had form.”
― Susan Meissner, The Shape of Mercy

I love that quote. If this book had a form, I have no doubt its form would be beautiful.

For me, this book is a five. It’s haunting and tragic and just so Marvelous and seamless in its writing.

This book is about Lauren and Abilgail, a journal and the Salem Witch trials. It moved from the present to the past and back again. I couldn’t put this book down.

Both ladies were interesting characters, the story was fascinating and I finished it in a night.

I loved reading the journal entries and I think the Historical aspects interested me more then what was happening in the present.

The book was obviously very well researched and eerie to read but hauntingly beautiful nonetheless.

I adored the character of Mercy. It's kind of difficult to read because you know what ultimately is going to happen to her but I could not tear my eyes away from the pages.

5 stars. A beautiful and well written book. ( )

The story of three women from different generations: Lauren, a 19 year old college student, Abigail, a 90 year old woman grieving about a past decision, and Mercy, a 17th century young girl convicted of witchcraft and hanged. The focus of this story is how their paths intersect. This was a heartfelt story. I have to admit to a few tears and sobbing. I will definitely look for more books by this author. 380 pages ( )

Our book group at church read this, maybe a year ago or so. I really enjoyed the book. It's definitely worth re-reading at some future point! ( )

Lauren Duroughs is a student at UC Santa Barbara although her dad would have preferred she attend Stanford. She is also living in a dorm although her father wanted to buy her a condo. The Duroughs are rich, probably very rich, but Lauren wants to experience a different college life than her dad expected her to want.

Lauren's sophomore year she decides to find a part time job so that she is contributing to her expenses. When she finds a notice on the bulletin board for a Literary Assistant wanted for a transcription project she is curious enough to apply. The job turns out to be a surprising project. Eighty-three year old Abigail Boyles's ancestor was Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials. It's Mercy's journal Abigail wants transcribed. The diary was kept from January 8, 1692 through September 21, 1692.

Lauren, who works in Abigail's home, finds herself quickly drawn to Mercy. The relationship between Abigail and Lauren, and Lauren's relationship with her family are intermingled with Mercy's accounts of life 300 years ago.

I loved the "Mercy" entries and was always eager to get to the next but I thought Lauren and Abigail were rather tiresome, with Lauren overwhelmed with self-doubt and Abigale embittered over a decision she made when she was young. After I finished reading I looked at reviews on Amazon and LT to see what other readers thought and was surprised to see some say they didn't know why the book was considered Christian fiction. Neither do I.

A mixed read and a quick one. ( )