Book Review: Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

“Men do things, and women apologize for them.”

Amy Jo Burns, Mercury

Review:

I have been striving to find a quiet yet thought-provoking work of literary fiction ever since finishing Dirt Music last year. Mercury hit all the points I was hoping for and more. 

Marley is a newcomer in the small town of Mercury. Before long, she is involved with the Joseph family. Having been raised by only her mother and longing for the experience of a full family, she tries to make a place for herself at their table. She becomes Waylon’s wife, Mick and Elise’s daughter-in-law, Shay and Baylor’s sister-in-law, and Theo’s mother. Instead of finding the stability of a family, she is thrust into a life of secrets and pretense. What does it mean it be a Joseph? 

Though the book is quite eventful, it’s told in a quiet and calculated way. We get a good glimpse of all of the characters, granted, some more than others. Each ends up with their own perceptions of certain events and relationships that all weave together by the end of the story. 

Shay had my heart throughout so much of the book, but toward the end found myself completely latched onto Baylor. Marley was a strong protagonist, too, and her dominant point of view was strong. I enjoyed the subtle (and some less subtle) effects of complex family trauma and the characters navigating their dysfunctional family unit. I do feel like there were a few matters that fell by the wayside and never got resolved, but it didn’t hinder the overall story. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The dysfunctional family dynamic.
• A sense of found family even within a blood-related family.
• Complex characters.

What I didn’t like:

• I would have loved to have seen more from Baylor’s perspective.
• There are a number of plot holes.
• Some aspects of the book felt unrealistic.

Afterthoughts:

Part of my new year’s resolution has been to stop instantly buying books that jump out at me, especially from Book of the Month because lately, I haven’t found myself interested in my choices enough to hang onto them when I’m finished reading. That, or I end up waiting for the audiobook from the library anyway and never touch the physical book. Naturally, the first book I skipped ended up being one I regretted not picking up. It was a long month of waiting for a library copy and to order my own for February.

Thanks to my friend Skylar for telling me this would be a book I loved! You were so right.

Where to buy the book: