Today I am reviewing A Matter of Mercy by Lynne Hugo for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Caroline Marcum thought she’d escaped the great mistake of her life by leaving Wellfleet harbor, but is forced to face it when she returns, reluctantly, to care for her dying mother. Ridley Neal put his past – and his prison term – behind him to return home to take over his father’s oyster and clam beds. Casual acquaintances long ago, when a nor’easter hits the coast, Rid and Caroline’s lives intersect once again. When Rid and two other sea farmers are sued by the wealthy owner of a vacation home who wants to shut them down, and Caroline accidentally meets the person she most wronged, they each must learn to trust and love. Inspired by a 1996 lawsuit, A Matter of Mercy is a riveting novel about treasuring the traditional way of life in the shallows of a beautiful Cape Cod bay by discovering where forgiveness ends. And where it begins.
My review: We’ve all made mistakes, have wounded others, and have secrets within our hearts – some of which bring feelings of regret and shame. The two characters whose lives intersect in this novel are scarred and laden down by their own particular burdens of guilt. Trust is hard to come by. Redemption is even harder.
I find redemption to be one of the most powerful themes in literature. Finding redemption, along with the journey it takes to get there, is the framework for this plot. How does someone open the door to love and forgiveness and trust after having shut that door for many years?
Aquaculture (sea farming) is the backdrop for this novel and is the industry that helps to sustain the old town of Wellfleet. I admit I knew next-to-nothing about aquaculture before reading this book, but the author manages to educate us about sea farming in a way that flows easily within the context of the novel. I found it fascinating. The legal case that inspired this novel is fascinating, as well. What happens when a wealthy home owner’s ‘view’ collides with a way of life that has existed for many, many years?
Hugo has painted a detailed picture of life in Wellfleet, on the land and in the bay. You can almost smell the salt water. She clearly knows and loves her setting.
Though the pace of the story is slow, it befits life in a small town on the Cape. My one quibble is that it seemed a bit over-written at times, especially towards the end, where I thought some judicious editing would have helped the flow of the story.
This is ultimately a heart-warming book about love and all it encompasses: love for a dying mother, a way of life, an unborn child, a grieving mother. We all deserve a second chance.
About the author: Lynne Hugo is a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient who has also received grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the Kentucky Foundation for Women. She has published five previous novels, one of which became a Lifetime Original Movie of the Month, two books of poetry, and a children’s book. Her memoir, Where the Trail Goes Faint, won the Riverteeth Literary Nonfiction Book Prize. Born and educated in New England, she and her husband currently live in Ohio with a yellow lab feared by squirrels in a three state area.
I’m sorry to say there is no giveaway for this particular review. I wish there was because you know I love to giveaway books!
Happy Thursday.
Hhhmmm…doesn’t sound all that great (so glad you give honest reviews), though the aquaculture would be interesting I’m sure. Enjoy the day Claudia! We are looking for temps in the higher 80’s (but that beats this past Tuesday’s weather). Thankfully cooler nights have begun.
The aquaculture is very interesting – I think you’d like the book.
Thank you, Claudia, for taking the time to read and review A Matter of Mercy. I hope your readers who are interested in legal dramas might be interested in this novel, since it’s based on the actual 1996 lawsuit filed against the aquaculturists by owners of vacation homes above the harbor. They said the cages visible at low tide “spoiled their view.” The suit was–amazingly enough–based on an obscure Colonial ordinance of 1641, too. The whole economy of the town–and a traditional way of life–was threatened. I was fascinated when I learned about it, just from being out walking the beach and becoming friends with some of the oyster farmers working in the shallows at low tide. It’s a beautiful place and community, and turned out to be an ideal setting for a novel about fighting for one’s life on all kinds of levels. Thanks again for giving it your thoughtful read.
You are welcome, Lynne. My pleasure. Thank you for a fascinating book.
I talked about local authors coming to our town today and showcased their books! I guess reading is in the air this time of year!
Glad you were able to give a complete review. I had to skim . . . but I admitted it. (guilt).
I always do complete reviews, Leslie Anne. Even my “Pocket Reviews” on Just Let Me Finish This Page are full reviews, just less information from the Publisher.
Fall is a big time for new releases in the publishing world! I’ll stop by and read your post later.
The aquaculture aspect intrigues me. I’ll put this on the list!
It’s really fascinating, Linda.
How sad that people with money think they should have the power to control at all..even to the point of taking away people’s livelihoods..For a view..How egotistical..I should think the the cages at low tide are are a part of the view..Sounds like a case of “I don’t mind what you do..just don’t do it where I have to look at it”..This case and the story that goes with it sounds very interesting to me..
It is very interesting indeed, Nancy.
Aquaculture is fascinating to me. I admit to knowing very little about it.
I’m glad you enjoyed this book. Thanks for being a part of the tour!