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becandbooks's review
4.0
While never a big fan of contemporary fiction, I adored this book.
From the stubbourness of George (who I could not help but compare to Carl Fredrickson from Up), to the undisciplined but potential-filled Aurora-Jane 'Rory' and her independent single-mother Angie - I loved the realness of the people, circumstances, and heart-breaking decisions. The characters grow and develop before your eyes, as you are drawn into the life-changing dilemmas faced by George - along with the nagging advice from sister Shirl, and support of friend, neighbour, and 'scientist' Redgum.
Wonderfully written, this book will make you contemplate the meaning of a family and what the 'right' thing to do is when protecting someone you love.
From the stubbourness of George (who I could not help but compare to Carl Fredrickson from Up), to the undisciplined but potential-filled Aurora-Jane 'Rory' and her independent single-mother Angie - I loved the realness of the people, circumstances, and heart-breaking decisions. The characters grow and develop before your eyes, as you are drawn into the life-changing dilemmas faced by George - along with the nagging advice from sister Shirl, and support of friend, neighbour, and 'scientist' Redgum.
Wonderfully written, this book will make you contemplate the meaning of a family and what the 'right' thing to do is when protecting someone you love.
dani_bugz's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic Australian general fiction read about love in all it's forms. I loved reading about George, Redgum, the Nguyens and little Rory. It was a heart warming story, full of growth, fun and learning. The characters were beautifully wrought, it was perfectly paced and, well, I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend!
hookinemme's review against another edition
5.0
This was possibly the sweetest books I have read in a long time. It was so awesome. I loved it so much. It reminded me very much of a Man Called Ove. So sweet.
mandi_m's review
3.0
A lovely read. I loved The Book of Lost Threads and was straight onto my rep to get a copy of this. Drama, family and the love of a little girl called Rory. A feel good read and a tear was shed :)
writtenbysime's review
4.0
Mercy Street defies expectations.
When the cantankerous George – increasingly apathetic since the death of his wife three years ago – is rescued from a group of young hooligans by nineteen-year-old single mother Angie, the grateful George offers to one day return the favour, not quite expecting that day to come around so soon. Because mere weeks later, Angie shows up at his home on Mercy Street with her five-year-old daughter, asking to stay with him, just until she can get back on her feet. What else can George do but oblige – she saved his life after all. It is here when author Tess Evans dangles a formulaic scenario: readers will assume the trio will form an unlikely familial unit, suffer some sort of setback that threatens to dismantle everything, but ultimately realise they belong together; that this unlikely composite of personalities is all the family they need.
But Evans skews from that setup very quickly. Just as Angie, George, and young Rory are settling in, the young mother takes off without even a goodbye, just a note indicating she needs time to herself, but will return, eventually. George is left with a five-year-old girl, and having never been a parent, enters complete a complete unknown. Thankfully he has a officious sister, Shirley, as an advisor; so too Redgum, his mate from the local pub. Other allies pop up as well; Angie’s best friend, Bree; and the neighbours he’d barely said a word to previously. With their help, George acclimates to life as a single parent – begins enjoying it, in fact, more than he’d care to admit, or think about – which makes the threat of Angie’s return all the more catastrophic. Indeed, when Angie decides to return from her sabbatical, George is forced into unthinkable action, begging readers to ponder over where young Rory belongs: with her mother, despite her obvious failings; or with George, a man well into his seventies.
Mercy Street is a novel that begs discussion. For every reader who agrees with George’s decision, others will surely the contradictory opinion. Evans remains a neutral narrator, despite the novel following George’s perspective for the most part. Understated and self-assured, Mercy Street is a thought-provoking read told with such grace and elegance. Sweet, funny, and poignant, this is fine Australian novel and shouldn’t be missed.
When the cantankerous George – increasingly apathetic since the death of his wife three years ago – is rescued from a group of young hooligans by nineteen-year-old single mother Angie, the grateful George offers to one day return the favour, not quite expecting that day to come around so soon. Because mere weeks later, Angie shows up at his home on Mercy Street with her five-year-old daughter, asking to stay with him, just until she can get back on her feet. What else can George do but oblige – she saved his life after all. It is here when author Tess Evans dangles a formulaic scenario: readers will assume the trio will form an unlikely familial unit, suffer some sort of setback that threatens to dismantle everything, but ultimately realise they belong together; that this unlikely composite of personalities is all the family they need.
But Evans skews from that setup very quickly. Just as Angie, George, and young Rory are settling in, the young mother takes off without even a goodbye, just a note indicating she needs time to herself, but will return, eventually. George is left with a five-year-old girl, and having never been a parent, enters complete a complete unknown. Thankfully he has a officious sister, Shirley, as an advisor; so too Redgum, his mate from the local pub. Other allies pop up as well; Angie’s best friend, Bree; and the neighbours he’d barely said a word to previously. With their help, George acclimates to life as a single parent – begins enjoying it, in fact, more than he’d care to admit, or think about – which makes the threat of Angie’s return all the more catastrophic. Indeed, when Angie decides to return from her sabbatical, George is forced into unthinkable action, begging readers to ponder over where young Rory belongs: with her mother, despite her obvious failings; or with George, a man well into his seventies.
Mercy Street is a novel that begs discussion. For every reader who agrees with George’s decision, others will surely the contradictory opinion. Evans remains a neutral narrator, despite the novel following George’s perspective for the most part. Understated and self-assured, Mercy Street is a thought-provoking read told with such grace and elegance. Sweet, funny, and poignant, this is fine Australian novel and shouldn’t be missed.
nickikendall's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
5.0
A truly delightful read. This book has been in my TBR stack for ages and now I wish I had pulled it sooner to read. I was initially drawn to the cover when I saw it in a bookstore and it has superseded my expectations. The story centres on cranky old George who has lost his beloved wife Penny, one day he is getting mugged in the street when a young lady steps in to save him in more ways than one. This fateful day leads to so many changes in George's life. Relatable, flawed characters, some with secrets and love to give. This book shows that family can be found in the most unlikely of circumstances and it's not always with people you are actually related to. The plot is woven into a poignant, heart-warming, endearing, hopeful and sometimes sad story that will remain with you long after you read the final page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐#mercystreet #tessevans #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #storygraph #amazonkindle #bookqueen #bookstagram
kathryn08's review
4.0
4.5★ I enjoyed this - it took a twist I was certainly not expecting partway through! I think I struggled about what to say in a review initially, and now I’ve left it a little too long to write one, because I can’t remember a lot about it. Other than that I was expecting something a little like [b:A Man Called Ove|18774964|A Man Called Ove|Fredrik Backman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405259930s/18774964.jpg|21619954], and it kind of was, but then it went beyond that.
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