Reviewed by Lily Andrews
An artistic creation that tells a captivating story by fusing history and art, “Mercy” is a stunning text in the historical fiction genre penned by J.M. Torrenz. The year is 1799, in Petropavlovsk, in the East of Russia at a time of Tsarist autocracy with the nobility holding the divine right to rule Russia. Fyodor Drossopov, an eleven-year-old boy, and the son of a Siberian farmer, lived out his childhood days playing battle games and mimicking pre-battle rallying speeches with his friends. His best friend, Mishi, and other children were a constant source of joy for Fyodor who was slowly approaching his name day. On this day, he receives varied gifts from other children and his parents. His grandfather, Andrei, a former ship captain who ended his sea faring activities after a fateful and mysterious voyage, however, has something else in store for him. Purchase Here.
Andrei’s present constitutes taking the young boy on an ocean voyage across the Pacific. They set off and while there, he experiences a whole new world and develops a new perception of life. The journey culminates in tragedy that Fyodor never foresaw, and the weight of this loss carries an emotional impact on him even after he gets home. Years later, he marries his childhood friend, Anna, and together, they adopt two boys, Rafael and Adrian, each with unique character traits. All around Fyodor, the world is changing as new scientific inventions are embraced, cultural shifts such as the New Soviet Man ideology and news of war that reach him in his remote village. The book draws to a close as he is reflecting in his old age his outlook on life and how loving his granddaughter Palmita has changed his mindset on this, drawing him to a place of humility.
A winner in its own right, “Mercy” is bound to captivate all historical fiction enthusiasts. Even at 429 pages, this book has an epic feel to it, telling a multigenerational, character-driven story. Perhaps what makes this affecting tale so engrossing, is the buildup of the plot which is powerful, akin to a small campfire that gradually escalates into a blaze that threatens to consume the forest. The author peppers his story with historical events, such as giving us a peek into the Napoleonic wars and the Russo-Circassian War. He doesn’t stop there; as shown in several of the scenarios, he incorporates significant portions of Greek and Roman mythology to further enhance the reading experience. Ultimately, this is a mesmerizing read whose well-hewn characters will linger long after the reading is done.