id stringlengths 19 26 | contents stringlengths 1 427k |
|---|---|
browsecomp_plus_98066_19 | Billboard's 21 Under 21 2015: Music's Hottest Young Stars Seventeen Birth Dates: Choi Seungcheol, aka S.coups: August 8, 1995 (Age: 20); Yoon Jeonghan, aka Jeonghan: October 4, 1995 (Age: 20); Hong Jisoo, aka Joshua: December 30, 1995 (Age: 19); Wen Junhui, aka Jun: June 10, 1996 (Age: 19); Kwon Soonyoung, aka Hoshi: June 15, 1996 (Age: 19); Jeon Wonwoo, aka Wonwoo: July 17, 1996 (Age: 19); Lee Jihoon, aka Woozi: November 22, 1996 (Age: 18); Lee Seokmin, aka DK: February 18, 1997 (Age: 18); Kim Mingyu, aka Mingyu: April 6, 1997 (Age: 18); Xu Minghao, aka The8: November 7, 1997 (Age: 17); Boo Seungkwan, aka Seungkwan: January 16, 1998 (Age: 17); Hansol Vernon Choi, aka Vernon: February 18, 1998 (Age: 17); Lee Chan, aka Dino: February 11, 1999 (Age: 16). Last Year's Rank: N/A Why They're Hot: If Seventeen doesn't become the biggest K-pop band of all time, it may go down as the largest. |
browsecomp_plus_98066_20 | Billboard's 21 Under 21 2015: Music's Hottest Young Stars The group boasts 13 members (average age: 17) hailing from South Korea, China, and the United States, and it's divided into three units: one for hip-hip, one for vocals, and one for choreography. The divide-and-conquer strategy has paid off, as Seventeen's sophomore EP, Boys Be, debuted atop the World Albums chart in September. Led by the single "Mansae" — a chipper mix of hip-hop, funk, and pop — the five-song set followed 17 Carat, a promising debut that reached No. 8 on the World Albums chart back in May and outlasted records by better-established rivals like EXO and BTS. Although Seventeen was formed by Pledis Entertainment and launched via a reality series called Seventeen Project: Big Debut Plan, the group's members actively contribute to the writing and production of the music — a rarity in the K-pop scene. Seventeen is a small army whose weapons include talent and creativity. If any K-pop band stands to truly conquer America, it might be this one. - 19. |
browsecomp_plus_98066_21 | Billboard's 21 Under 21 2015: Music's Hottest Young Stars Echosmith Birth Dates: Jamie Sierota: April 8, 1993 (Age: 22); Noah Sierota: January 1, 1996 (Age: 19); Sydney Sierota: April 21, 1997 (Age: 18); Graham Sierota: February 5, 1999 (Age: 16). Last Year's Rank: N/A Why They're Hot: This four-piece family band from Chino, Calif., counts everyone from Fleetwood Mac to the Smiths as influences, and that comes across on the band's 2013 debut, Talking Dreams. Powered by the dreamy indie-pop smash "Cool Kids" (No. 13 on the Hot 100), the album topped the Heatseekers chart and reached No. 38 on the Billboard 200. The talented Sierota siblings spent 2015 touring as both a headliner and an opener for Twenty One Pilots, and they even joined Taylor Swift for a pair of surprise "Cool Kids" performances. In 2016, they'll begin work on the sophomore effort that could take Echosmith's shimmery, sweetly folky '80s dance-rock sounds to the next level. - 20. Kehlani Birth Date: April 24, 1995 (Age: 20) |
browsecomp_plus_98066_22 | Billboard's 21 Under 21 2015: Music's Hottest Young Stars Last Year's Rank: N/A Why She's Hot: Back in April, Oakland native Kehlani Parrish released what Billboard deemed "the first great R&B album of 2015." It's called You Should Be Here, and if it's technically more of a mixtape, it reached No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 36 on the Billboard 200. Like Kehlani's debut, 2014's Cloud 19, You Should Be Here reveals a cool, sultry young singer who's earned comparisons to everyone from Jhene Aiko and Kelala to Frank Ocean and the Weeknd. Kehlani also arrives on the pop scene with an amazing story that involves being raised by an aunt after her drug-addicted mother was incarcerated, nearly finding fame with the group Poflyfe on America's Got Talent, and living on the streets as a teenager. Finally, with some help from Nick Cannon, Kehlani landed a deal with Atlantic, and that's brought her international acclaim. She'll spend late November and December touring Europe, growing the already-sizable "Tsunami Mob" fan base that's eagerly awaiting her debut album, expected next year. - 21. Shamir Birth Date: November 7, 1994 (Age: 20) |
browsecomp_plus_98066_23 | Billboard's 21 Under 21 2015: Music's Hottest Young Stars Last Year's Rank: N/A Why He's Hot: In some ways the ultimate millennial artist, Shamir Bailey blurs lines between genre and gender as only a 20-year-old weaned on everything from Outkast to Billie Holiday can. Born and raised in Las Vegas and blessed with a stunning countertenor voice that many mistake for female, Shamir began writing songs at the age of 9, when he got his hands on an Epiphone guitar. By his teens, he'd formed a punk band, and by high school, he'd begun making the bedroom recordings that would get him noticed by the NYC label Godmode, which released his debut EP, Northtown, in 2014. This May, following buzzworthy performances at SXSW, Shamir returned with his debut album, Ratchet — a smart, playful mix of house, pop, hip-hop, and R&B featuring the singles "Call It Off" and "On the Regular," both of which made the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart. Hip and edgy enough for critics, accessible enough for the masses, Shamir ticks all the right boxes while making it look fun. |
browsecomp_plus_92850_1 | Artists who have quit art school: how did that turn out for you? A place for people interested in contemporary art and the contemporary art world, art news, relevant theory and conversation about contemporary artists. Note that no self-promotion of any kind is allowed on this subreddit. Artists who have quit art school: how did that turn out for you? I am in the process of getting my AFA with the intention to transfer into a BFA program. I hold a bachelors in science already so I don't need a degree, this is just for personal and professional art development. However as time goes on at my university studying art I am growing disillusioned with the idea of getting my BFA. I refuse to go into debt over art school and I find the instruction to be a bit banal and not really applicable to the real world. Also my personal circumstances are making it so that me choosing to study art - I am foregoing other things I need to prioritize in my life. I never intend to stop making art but it's come to a point where I may need to quit mid-semester and I may never return to art school. I'd like to hear personal anecdotes of those who did quit and how it turned out for them or alternatively those who didn't quit and wish they did, or who did quit and wish they had not. |
browsecomp_plus_92850_2 | Artists who have quit art school: how did that turn out for you? Thanks in advance! |
browsecomp_plus_54766_1 | Search by Population Resources Business Development About Advertising Deadlines Design Requirements Editorial Calendar Options & Rates Sample Issues Business Membership Exhibits Mailing List Mailing List Request Form Sponsorships & Exhibiting BuyBoard Purchasing Program Connect News Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Directories & Publications Affiliate Publications Privacy Policy Publications A Guide to Becoming a City Official (2017) Economic Development Handbook (2017) Handbook for Mayors & Councilmembers (2017) How Cities Work (2019) Key Legal Requirements for Texas City Officials Texas Home Rule Charters - Second Edition (2010) Texas Revenue Manual for Texas Cities (2017) |
browsecomp_plus_54766_2 | Search by Population Texas Town & City TML Affiliate Directories TML Directories Helpful Links City Certifications & Awards City Websites Classifieds Colleges & Universities Cybersecurity Clearinghouse Grants Government National League of Cities National Organizations State Government State of the City Addresses State Organizations Texas Municipal Retirement System Texas Statutes Municipal Excellence Awards 2018 Texas Municipal Excellence Award Winners 2017 Texas Municipal Excellence Award Winners 2016 Texas Municipal Excellence Award Winners Newly Elected Resources Essential Reading Essential Training Legal Services Stay Connected Texas Municipal League On Demand Videos Regions About Calendar of Upcoming Meetings CEU Form (PDF) Map & Officers Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10 Region 11 Region 12 Region 13 Region 14 Region 15 Region 16 Officer Duties Upcoming Meetings Small Cities Bylaws Resources TML Training Scholarships for Small Cities SolutionsNet Listserv Surveys Fiscal Conditions Survey Salary Survey Taxation & Debt Survey Water & Wastewater Survey Results Youth Programs Policy Legislative Information About Legislative Services City-Related Bills Filed (PDF) Legislative Policy Process (PDF) Legislative Program (PDF) Legislative Update 2019 Archived Updates Press Releases Texas Legislature Online Policy Committees 2017 Resolutions Committee 2018 Municipal Policy Summit 2018 Resolutions Committee Committee on Ballot Propositions Amicus Brief Update (PDF) Ask a Texas Municipal League Attorney Example Documents Legal Questions & Answers (Q&A) |
browsecomp_plus_54766_3 | Search by Population Top 10 Legal Questions Topics City Types (PDF) Disaster Management Environmental Ethics Finance / Economic Development Land Use & Building Regulations Liability Municipal Court Oil & Gas Clearinghouse Open Meetings Act Payday Lending Clearinghouse Personnel Public Information Act Public Safety Purchasing Streets & Transportation Utilities & Rights of Way Legal Research Education Certification for Elected Officials (TMLI) About Awards Continuing Education Units Award Winners Current Participants Upcoming Events Events Calendar Online Training Open Meetings Act & Public Information Act Public Funds Investment Online Investment Training TCAA Online Seminars TML On Demand Statewide Events of Interest Resources Continuing Education Unit Forms Hotels Near Texas Municipal League Newly Elected Resources Posting Guidelines Speaker Proposal Form Affiliates Guidelines Organizations Staff Support Careers Post Employment Ads Search Job Listings Tips for Employers & Job Seekers Pools TML Health TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool TML Directory Menu Search by Population * Population: Less than 5,000 5,001 - 10,000 10,001 - 25,000 25,001 - 50,000 50,001 - 75,000 75,001 - 100,000 100,001 - 150,000 150,001 and up Search Go Back '); |
browsecomp_plus_21409_1 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous - Photo 1: - Fox Searchlight Pictures - Photo 2: - Disney+ - Photo 3: Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous In March 2025, Kieran Culkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film A Real Pain. For years he had been known as Macauley Culkin's younger brother, but, along with his success on the HBO series Succession, this honor showed that he had stepped out of his famous older brother's shadow. In 2012, retired NBA star Reggie Miller was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, making him one half of the only brother-sister pair to be enshrined in the hall (his sister Cheryl had been inducted in 1995). Culkin and Miller are just two of the many people in the entertainment and sports industries who have followed an older sibling into the profession. Here are some stories of how a younger sibling not only chose the same profession as their older sibling but ended up (arguably) surpassing that sibling's fame. Eric Roberts is more than 11 years older than his sister, Julia. So, it's unsurprising that he has had the much longer career as an actor. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_2 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous His career got off to a bang; he made his film debut in King of the Gypsies in 1978 and immediately earned a Golden Globe nomination for the Best Motion Picture Acting Debut - Male. He received another Golden Globe nomination, this time for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, for Star 80, which was just his third feature film. In 1985 he received Golden Globe and Academy Award Best Supporting Actor nominations for his performance as Buck McGeehy in Runaway Train. But Eric had a heavy drug habit for years. That's one reason why, although he has worked steadily, appearing in more than 700 films and television shows, he was unable to maintain the momentum he had in the first years of his career. Meanwhile, Julia, who made her feature film debut in 1988, quickly surpassed her brother's fame after earning Academy Award nominations in back-to-back years for her work in Steel Magnolias (Best Supporting Actress) and Pretty Woman (Best Actress). Julia appeared in a number of blockbuster films throughout the 1990s, and in 2000 became the first female actor to ever get paid $20 million for a film. Her performance in that film, Erin Brockovich, earned Julia her first Oscar. Eric has struggled with his younger sister's fame. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_3 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous In a 2018 Vanity Fair interview, he claimed: If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no [his actor daughter] Emma Roberts as celebrities, as actresses, and I'm very proud of that. When Julia first came to New York, I went into William Morris and I said, 'Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?' And I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot. I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so I'm proud of that. In his 2024 memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, he backtracked on this claim, writing: That's not only unfortunate, but it's also untrue. And I hope Julie will accept this more public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said. I was proud of her, but it was pride turned on its head, to my own advantage. Way more famous?Randy Quaid has appeared in more than 90 films since making his debut in The Last Picture Show in 1971. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_4 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous Despite receiving BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Last Detail and winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson in the television movie LBJ: The Early Years, he may be best known for his appearances in several of the National Lampoon Vacation movies. His career was derailed by legal troubles in the 2000s. While Randy is known primarily for being a supporting actor, his younger brother Dennis has been taking on mainly lead roles since the mid-1980s. He first began getting noticed for supporting roles in films like Breaking Away and The Right Stuff, and by the end of the decade had surpassed his brother's fame, starring in films like The Big Easy and Great Balls of Fire, winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for the former. He won a second Independent Spirit Award, and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal as a closeted husband in Far From Heaven. And his career is still going strong two decades later; in 2024 he portrayed the title role in the biopic Reagan, while also taking on a supporting role in the body horror film The Substance, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_5 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous Way more famous?Venus and Serena Williams first started playing tennis in Compton, CA, coached primarily by their parents. Both were just 14 when they turned professional, Venus in 1994 and Serena the following year. In September 1999, Serena became the second Black woman in history to win a Grand Slam title (after Althea Gibson) when she defeated Martina Hingis at the US Open. She wouldn't win another Grand Slam singles title for the next three years, while her older sister won Wimbledon and the US Open in back-to-back years (2000 and 2001). Venus was the first of the sisters to reach the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles; she did so on February 25, 2002, making her just the second African American woman (again, after Althea Gibson) to accomplish this feat. But later that year, the advantage started to swing to Serena; beginning with the 2002 French Open, the sisters faced off in four straight Grand Slam singles finals, with Serena winning all four times. The last of these titles gave Serena a career Grand Slam (winning all four majors). Both sisters struggled periodically with injuries in the following years, but it was Serena who was better able to maintain her reign at the top of the tennis world. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_6 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous When she retired she had 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the second most by any woman (Margaret Court had 24). Venus, meanwhile, finished with seven Grand Slam singles titles; the sisters also teamed up to win 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. Way more famous?Beau and Jeff Bridges are the sons of actor Lloyd Bridges, who may be best remembered for the television series Sea Hunt. The brothers both began their careers as child actors, occasionally working alongside their father. As adults, they co-starred in the feature film The Fabulous Baker Boys, portraying sometimes combative brothers who work as a piano lounge act; Beau won the National Society of Film Critics' Best Supporting Actor Award for his role. Both brothers have earned multiple accolades in his career; Beau, who is the older brother by eight years, has won three Primetime Emmy Awards (out of 16 nominations) and two Golden Globe Awards, while Jeff has received seven Academy Award nominations - winning the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal as an alcoholic singer in 2009's Crazy Heart - and two Golden Globes. But Jeff, who had established himself as a leading man by the early 1980s, is considered a movie star, while Beau has gotten more recognition for his work in supporting roles than he has as a lead actor. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_7 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous Beau told CNN's Chris Wallace that, because of the age gap, there's never been much of a rivalry between the brothers: I'm eight years older than Jeff. And my dad was traveling a lot…when he was away, I was teaching Jeff how to throw a ball, do all that stuff. So, I've always enjoyed whatever successes he's had. Jeff concurred, telling the audience at the event, "Beau and Jeff: A Tale of Two Bridges": It's [ their work as actors] not a competition. It's like we're on the same team. Way more famous?Donnie Wahlberg shot to fame in the 1980s as a member of the hugely successful boys' band New Kids on the Block. The group broke up in 1994 (re-forming in 2008) and Donnie pivoted to acting, making his debut in the 1996 film Bullet. His breakthrough role came when he was cast in the 2001 miniseries Band of Brothers. But he might be best known for his role of detective Danny Reagan in the TV series Blue Bloods; Donnie played the role for the series' entire 14-year run. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_8 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous In February 2025 it was announced that a spinoff of this series, tentatively titled Boston Blue, had been scheduled to premiere in the 2025-26 season and would focus on Donnie's character. Like his older brother, Mark Wahlberg began his career as a musician. After being in NKOTB for a hot second, he became a teen idol under the name of Marky Mark as part of the 1990s hip-hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch; "Good Vibrations," the lead single of their debut album, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Wahlberg made his acting debut in 1993; four years later he had his breakout role when he portrayed adult film star Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights. He spent much of the 2000s starring in big-budget action films and gritty dramas, earning an Oscar nomination for the crime drama The Departed and a Golden Globe nomination for the sports biopic The Fighter. In 2017, he became the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, even as he added executive producing duties to his resume on TV series such as Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, and Ballers. In a 2010 interview, Donnie said the brothers had never really competed for acting roles: He's a movie star. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_9 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous He's a leading man and I've always thought of myself as a character and I take great pride in that. It's really all I could ever hope for is to be having a good reputation as a really solid character actor. That's really a great place for me to be in my opinion. Way more famous?Nick Jonas first rose to fame as part of the pop band Jonas Brothers, which consisted of him and his older brothers Kevin and Joe Jonas. One of the biggest boy bands of the late 2000s, the group were heavily promoted on the Disney Channel and other Disney-owned properties. They made their acting debut in the Disney Channel movie Camp Rock; that same year they received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. The following year they starred in their own Disney Channel series Jonas and had a second album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. But the brothers were becoming more interested in doing their own projects, and the band split up in 2013 (reuniting six years later). Nick Jonas had been doing individual things long before the band split. He appeared in several Broadway productions beginning at age seven and was briefly signed to Columbia Records as a solo artist prior to the label signing the Jonas Brothers. |
browsecomp_plus_21409_10 | Younger Siblings Of Famous People Who Became Even More Famous While in the band he continued to periodically act in stage musicals such as Les Misérables and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. After the band split in 2013, he focused on being a solo artist; his albums Nick Jonas and This Year Was Complicated both hit the Top 10 on the Billboard albums chart. Although Jonas Brothers got back together in 2019, Nick has continued to do individual work, such as being a judge on The Voice. He's also planning another stint on Broadway. Way more famous? |
browsecomp_plus_63278_1 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain The best historical fiction set in Britain during Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901). Note: historical fiction being defined as follows - "To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research)." (definition from the Historical Novel Society) Note: historical fiction being defined as follows - "To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research)." |
browsecomp_plus_63278_2 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain (definition from the Historical Novel Society) Ashley 1537 books 42 friends 42 friends Dr. 0 books 1 friend 1 friend Susanna - Censored by GoodReads 3382 books 854 friends 854 friends Denidevine 1574 books 39 friends 39 friends Greyweather 2660 books 65 friends 65 friends Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) 546 books 365 friends 365 friends Mick 893 books 3 friends 3 friends Judy 879 books 8 friends 8 friends More voters… Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new) date newest » I took Slammerkin off, and I'll get rid of Threepennny Opera as well, thanks for the heads up on these! Personally, I agree with your understanding of historical fiction as well - written by someone who is looking back on that particular point in history, and not living it. I was curious about this when I noticed one of the more popular lists of historical fiction includes a lot of books written by authors who were writing what was, to them, contemporary fiction. |
browsecomp_plus_63278_3 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain I came across some different definitions, some that included these authors, and most like this one from the Historical Novel Society's website: "To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research)." This was more my intent in creating this list. I'll include that in the description, and try to keep the list to that, I think. Thanks! Personally, I agree with your understanding of historical fiction as well - written by someone who is looking back on that particular point in history, and not living it. I was curious about this when I noticed one of the more popular lists of historical fiction includes a lot of books written by authors who were writing what was, to them, contemporary fiction. |
browsecomp_plus_63278_4 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain I came across some different definitions, some that included these authors, and most like this one from the Historical Novel Society's website: "To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research)." This was more my intent in creating this list. I'll include that in the description, and try to keep the list to that, I think. Thanks! I looked into Threepenny Opera a bit, and it does seem to be set in Victorian England - a bit of a blurry line, so I'll leave that one :) You're right about the Threepenny Opera -- it's actually intended to be set right before Queen Victoria's coronation. It occurs to me I've never seen it performed in a Victorian setting, though (early 20th century virtually every single time)! Anyway, yeah, do leave Brecht/Weill by all means in light of this. |
browsecomp_plus_63278_5 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain Here's a cool website on the piece, btw: Here's a cool website on the piece, btw: For more on books set in Victorian England check out this blog: Kate Morton's The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden are really good... can't quite remember if they are Victorian or Edwardian, but certainly within that era. Also Micheal Cox's sequel to The Meaning of Night called The Glass of Time was really good. The Mystery of Charles Dickens isn't a book; it's a recording of a one-man stage show. Also available on DVD. Didn't #82 Year of Wonders take place earlier than Victorian times? I'm pretty sure it was late Medieval. Pikachu wrote: "Didn't #82 Year of Wonders take place earlier than Victorian times? I'm pretty sure it was late Medieval." It's set in 1665, so definitely not Victorian. It's set in 1665, so definitely not Victorian. Zee wrote: "Pikachu wrote: "Didn't #82 Year of Wonders take place earlier than Victorian times? I'm pretty sure it was late Medieval." It's set in 1665, so definitely not Victorian." |
browsecomp_plus_63278_6 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain I removed it, along with a number of books by authors actually living in Victorian England and writing about their own time (i.e., books not qualifying as "historical fiction") -- most notably, Charles Dickens -- and David Liss's "Benjamin Weaver" series (set in 18th, not 19th century London). Will leave The Observations and Greyfriars Bobby to Ashley's prerogative as the list creator. It's set in 1665, so definitely not Victorian." I removed it, along with a number of books by authors actually living in Victorian England and writing about their own time (i.e., books not qualifying as "historical fiction") -- most notably, Charles Dickens -- and David Liss's "Benjamin Weaver" series (set in 18th, not 19th century London). Will leave The Observations and Greyfriars Bobby to Ashley's prerogative as the list creator. Thanks for deleting those Themis-Athena! I hadn't thought about the Britain/England distinction, and I think I will change it to Britain and leave those two on the list :) Thanks for pointing it out Suzanne! No problem, and ETA ... also deleted the books from Anna Godbersen's "Luxe" series, which is set in New York ... |
browsecomp_plus_63278_7 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain AND Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Story" series (NINTH, not NINETEENTH century England)! "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier is NOT Victorian, but Regency. City of Light is a great book, but it doesn't take place in Great Britain, and it's not Victorian either. It takes place in Buffalo, NY, during the Pan-American Exposition of 1901 (technically, Edwardian by then). Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (current #23) is not Victorian; it is set during the Napoleonic Wars (ended 1815). #205 is a duplicate. #224 isn't set in England. #224 isn't set in England. Related News Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day, according to early... Anyone can add books to this list. ETA: Similarly, Brecht's "Threepenny Opera" is an early 20th century adaptation of an 18th century (not Victorian!) ballad opera, namely, John Gay's "Beggar's Opera." |
browsecomp_plus_63278_8 | Best Victorian Historical Fiction Set In Britain And on yet another note: My understanding of "historical" fiction is that it is "historical" (i.e., lying in the past) from the point of view of the WRITER, not merely his/her readers. I.e., any- and everything by Dickens and other writers actually living in the Victorian Age should not qualify for inclusion in this list, either. Ashley, you created the list -- can you comment on the above? |
browsecomp_plus_9810_1 | Who Are Jennifer Aniston's Half Siblings? All About John Melick III and Alexander 'AJ' Aniston Meet Jennifer Aniston's siblings. The Friends actress has two half brothers, John Melick III and Alexander "AJ" Aniston. Jennifer's late mom, Nancy Dow, welcomed John III during her first marriage to Jack Melick in 1959. Her dad, John Aniston — who died on Nov. 11, 2022, at age 89 — welcomed AJ during his second marriage to Sherry Rooney in 1989. Over the years, the actress has rarely been photographed alongside her half siblings; though they have occasionally joined her at premieres, they have kept their personal lives private. John III has pursued a career in the film industry — but unlike his mother and half sister, both actors, he has remained behind the camera. For the most part, Jennifer does not mention her siblings to the press, though she publicly referenced John III when their mom died in May 2016. As for AJ, he lives a nomadic lifestyle completely out of the public eye. While Jennifer hasn't spoken about him publicly, he has opened up to reporters about his half sister in the past. Jennifer has been open about her strained relationship with her family. "I forgave my mom. … I forgave my father. I've forgiven my family," she told Allure in a December 2022 cover story. |
browsecomp_plus_9810_2 | Who Are Jennifer Aniston's Half Siblings? All About John Melick III and Alexander 'AJ' Aniston "Who among us hasn't tried — successfully or not — to forgive our family? ... Families are things to be forgiven." Keep scrolling for everything to know about Jennifer's two half brothers. John Melick III John Melick III is the son of Nancy Dow and her first husband, Jack Melick. The former couple married in 1956 and welcomed their only child together three years later. After Nancy and Jack split, she married John Aniston in 1965. The two welcomed one child together, daughter Jennifer, in 1969, making John III her older half brother. John III occasionally appeared out in public with Jennifer, including at the Picture Perfect (1997) premiere with Jennifer and his stepfather, John. Jennifer also mentioned her brother in a statement after Nancy's death: "It is with great sadness that my brother John [ Melick] and I announce the passing of our mother Nancy Dow," the actress said, per E! News. Like Nancy and Jennifer, John III has a career in the entertainment industry. He has worked on dozens of projects in various crew positions since the early-1990s, including as a set dresser for Universal Soldier (1992) and second assistant director for Thirteen (2003), Piranha 3DD (2012) and Horse Girl (2020). |
browsecomp_plus_9810_3 | Who Are Jennifer Aniston's Half Siblings? All About John Melick III and Alexander 'AJ' Aniston In August 1995, John III married Shannon Melick. According to Los Angeles court documents, Shannon filed for divorce from her husband on April 1, 2005; however, their current relationship status remains unclear. Information on their kids remains private. Alexander "AJ" Aniston After Jennifer's father split from Nancy, he married for a second time, to Sherry Rooney, in 1984. They welcomed one child together, son Alexander ("AJ"), in 1989. AJ is the youngest of Jennifer's half brothers. Unlike Jennifer and her older half brother, John III, AJ has not pursued a career in the entertainment industry and keeps a low profile. The last time he was seen publicly with Jennifer was when he attended the premiere of her film Along Came Polly in 2004, when he was 14, ABC reported. Nine years later, he opened up to a Daily Mail reporter at the Burning Man music festival when asked for a comment on his half sister. "It's been happening since middle school," AJ said of people asking him about Jennifer. "It's been a pain in my a-- for years. No comment." According to the Daily Mail, AJ has adopted a nomadic lifestyle. |
browsecomp_plus_9810_4 | Who Are Jennifer Aniston's Half Siblings? All About John Melick III and Alexander 'AJ' Aniston He also has "Live Free" tattooed across his chest and "Down to Cuddle" inked on his lower stomach. Jennifer hasn't spoken about him in any public interviews. |
browsecomp_plus_76971_1 | Tobey Maguire's Family: 5 Half-Siblings and 2 Kids this is a placeholder this is a placeholder this is a placeholder About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Accessibility © 2025 Google LLC |
browsecomp_plus_82109_1 | The Mercies What do you think? Rate this book After a storm has killed off all the island's men, two women in a 1600s Norwegian coastal village struggle to survive against both natural forces and the men who have been sent to rid the community of alleged witchcraft. Finnmark, Norway, 1617. Twenty-year-old Maren Magnusdatter stands on the craggy coast, watching the sea break into a sudden and reckless storm. Forty fishermen, including her brother and father, are drowned and left broken on the rocks below. With the menfolk wiped out, the women of the tiny Northern town of Vardø must fend for themselves. Three years later, a sinister figure arrives. Absalom Cornet comes from Scotland, where he burned witches in the northern isles. He brings with him his young Norwegian wife, Ursa, who is both heady with her husband's authority and terrified by it. In Vardø, and in Maren, Ursa sees something she has never seen before: independent women. But Absalom sees only a place untouched by God and flooded with a mighty evil. As Maren and Ursa are pushed together and are drawn to one another in ways that surprise them both, the island begins to close in on them with Absalom's iron rule threatening Vardø's very existence. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_2 | The Mercies Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1620 witch trials, The Mercies is a feminist story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization. Finnmark, Norway, 1617. Twenty-year-old Maren Magnusdatter stands on the craggy coast, watching the sea break into a sudden and reckless storm. Forty fishermen, including her brother and father, are drowned and left broken on the rocks below. With the menfolk wiped out, the women of the tiny Northern town of Vardø must fend for themselves. Three years later, a sinister figure arrives. Absalom Cornet comes from Scotland, where he burned witches in the northern isles. He brings with him his young Norwegian wife, Ursa, who is both heady with her husband's authority and terrified by it. In Vardø, and in Maren, Ursa sees something she has never seen before: independent women. But Absalom sees only a place untouched by God and flooded with a mighty evil. As Maren and Ursa are pushed together and are drawn to one another in ways that surprise them both, the island begins to close in on them with Absalom's iron rule threatening Vardø's very existence. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_3 | The Mercies Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1620 witch trials, The Mercies is a feminist story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization. 345 pages, Hardcover First published February 6, 2020 Kiran Millwood Hargrave is an award winning poet, playwright, and novelist. Her books include the bestselling winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017 The Girl of Ink & Stars, and Costa Book Awards- and Blue Peter Awards-shortlisted The Island at the End of Everything, and The Way Past Winter, Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year 2018. A Secret of Birds & Bone, her fourth middle grade title, was published in 2020. Julia and the Shark, in collaboration with her husband, artist Tom de Freston, was Indie Book of the Month, Scottish Booktrust Book of the Month, and has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2021. Her debut YA novel The Deathless Girls was published in 2019, and was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, and long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Her first book for adults, The Mercies, debuted as The Times number 1 bestseller, and at number 5 in the Sunday Times Bestseller Charts. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_4 | The Mercies Writing for the New York Times Book Review, Emily Barton called it 'among the best novels I've read in years', and it won a Betty Trask Award. She is represented by Hellie Ogden (UK) and Kirby Kim (US) at Janklow & Nesbit. Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband and their cats, Luna and Marly. Her books include the bestselling winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017 The Girl of Ink & Stars, and Costa Book Awards- and Blue Peter Awards-shortlisted The Island at the End of Everything, and The Way Past Winter, Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year 2018. A Secret of Birds & Bone, her fourth middle grade title, was published in 2020. Julia and the Shark, in collaboration with her husband, artist Tom de Freston, was Indie Book of the Month, Scottish Booktrust Book of the Month, and has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2021. Her debut YA novel The Deathless Girls was published in 2019, and was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, and long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_5 | The Mercies Her first book for adults, The Mercies, debuted as The Times number 1 bestseller, and at number 5 in the Sunday Times Bestseller Charts. Writing for the New York Times Book Review, Emily Barton called it 'among the best novels I've read in years', and it won a Betty Trask Award. She is represented by Hellie Ogden (UK) and Kirby Kim (US) at Janklow & Nesbit. Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband and their cats, Luna and Marly. Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book! Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,434 reviews December 12, 2019 Vardo, Norway, Christmas Eve 1617, a remote northern settlement where a storm of unusually immense and vicious proportions, completely wipes out the menfolk in this small fishing community, leaving the womenfolk bereft and without the means to provide for themselves. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_6 | The Mercies Eighteen months later, the women have become adept at catching fish and are finally able to look after themselves, but their world is about to be turned upside down with the arrival of Absalom Cornet, a God-fearing man who has been summoned from his home in Scotland to bring the women of Vardo to heel, and to ensure that they too are God fearing, and worship at the local church, but primarily, unbeknownst to these women, he's also a witch finder! The main protagonists are Maren, born and bred in Vardo, who lost her father and brother in the storm, and Absalom's wife Ursa, a woman of genteel breeding, born and brought up in the city of Bergen, who is trapped in a loveless arranged marriage. Despite the fact that they come from completely different backgrounds, Maren and Ursa soon form a bond, and find solace in each other's company, but the whole village has much to fear where Absalom is concerned, including his wife. The writing is beautiful, often crude, echoing the privations of an impoverished community at the mercy of a ghastly climate. The reader is overwhelmed by the bleak environment and the conditions it imposes. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_7 | The Mercies Knowing 'The Mercies' was based on the real events of the Vardo storm and the witch trials of 1621, makes it even harder to read, such is the brutality used against those accused of witchcraft, but it's hauntingly beautiful and highly recommended! *Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan, Picador, for my ARC for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange * Eighteen months later, the women have become adept at catching fish and are finally able to look after themselves, but their world is about to be turned upside down with the arrival of Absalom Cornet, a God-fearing man who has been summoned from his home in Scotland to bring the women of Vardo to heel, and to ensure that they too are God fearing, and worship at the local church, but primarily, unbeknownst to these women, he's also a witch finder! The main protagonists are Maren, born and bred in Vardo, who lost her father and brother in the storm, and Absalom's wife Ursa, a woman of genteel breeding, born and brought up in the city of Bergen, who is trapped in a loveless arranged marriage. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_8 | The Mercies Despite the fact that they come from completely different backgrounds, Maren and Ursa soon form a bond, and find solace in each other's company, but the whole village has much to fear where Absalom is concerned, including his wife. The writing is beautiful, often crude, echoing the privations of an impoverished community at the mercy of a ghastly climate. The reader is overwhelmed by the bleak environment and the conditions it imposes. Knowing 'The Mercies' was based on the real events of the Vardo storm and the witch trials of 1621, makes it even harder to read, such is the brutality used against those accused of witchcraft, but it's hauntingly beautiful and highly recommended! *Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan, Picador, for my ARC for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange * February 15, 2020 Reading this novel was like a feast to me. For one thing, the setting and all details included in this book are splendid. Scenery, clothes, food or architectural descriptions are splendidly researched and woven into the plot. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_9 | The Mercies It is 1617, and a most terrifying storm that caims the lives of forty men begins what turns out to be a harrowing period for the women who are left behind in a small fishing village of Vardo in the north of Norway, and who can either try to survive by setting their own ways or who may perish due to the lack of fish, fur or grain. Choosing survival paradoxically brings about damnation upon the bravest of them all, Kirsten. Those were the days of new laws introduced by King Christian, following strict Cavinist rules, days of witch hunting in the tradition set by James I, days of fear of the unknown, days of rooting out thousand-year old traditions of the indigenous inhabitants, days of the male domination and female submission. I found this novel totally unputdownable, with the stories of Kirsten, Maren and Ursa and with the depictions of the landscape and harsh lives in those days. While reading I was no longer in my sofa, I was out there, with Ursa attending to her suffering sister, with her on the ship, in the kirk of Vardo and on the cliff looking out for the whale which comes to Maren in her dreams. I believe it is a genuine gift on the part of the author to write in such a way. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_10 | The Mercies I definitely recommend The Mercies as it is historical fiction in every aspect and will send chills down your spines. One of the best HF I have read in years ... It is 1617, and a most terrifying storm that caims the lives of forty men begins what turns out to be a harrowing period for the women who are left behind in a small fishing village of Vardo in the north of Norway, and who can either try to survive by setting their own ways or who may perish due to the lack of fish, fur or grain. Choosing survival paradoxically brings about damnation upon the bravest of them all, Kirsten. Those were the days of new laws introduced by King Christian, following strict Cavinist rules, days of witch hunting in the tradition set by James I, days of fear of the unknown, days of rooting out thousand-year old traditions of the indigenous inhabitants, days of the male domination and female submission. I found this novel totally unputdownable, with the stories of Kirsten, Maren and Ursa and with the depictions of the landscape and harsh lives in those days. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_11 | The Mercies While reading I was no longer in my sofa, I was out there, with Ursa attending to her suffering sister, with her on the ship, in the kirk of Vardo and on the cliff looking out for the whale which comes to Maren in her dreams. I believe it is a genuine gift on the part of the author to write in such a way. I definitely recommend The Mercies as it is historical fiction in every aspect and will send chills down your spines. One of the best HF I have read in years ... September 12, 2020 3 stars Apparently inspired by true events (to an extent) - although one can easily guess there was a certain amount of reality to it. Not just in the way that women were treated but the overall sense of bleakness and eerie feeling that was constant throughout. I am conflicted when it comes to this book. I read it a couple of weeks ago and I thought I'd think on it for a while because I felt like I was supposed to like it more. I had a few issues with it but the biggest one was the fact that I just didn't like the writing style. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_12 | The Mercies This is a purely subjective observation and I'm sure (as I've noticed from other reviews) that no one or maybe very few people would cite that as a complaint against this book. For me the writing has to connect me to the place and people that inhabit that place but here it just annoyed the heck out of me, it kept pushing me out of the moment, I would have to stop and be frustrated. For someone who absolutely loves lyrical, over the top sentimental and sometimes difficult, unique writing styles, ~ okay, that's basically almost every type of writing, as long as it's good ~ I was quite shocked that I truly hated it and it mentally exhausted me because I had to force myself to disregard it in favour of the story itself. I guess it just wasn't for me, and to be honest I forced myself to read this to the end because the story and the characters were actually interesting and I really wanted to know where it would all lead. By the time I reached the end of the book, I would retract my observation about the characters or the story. I mean, sure, for a feminist historical novel it did all the right things and told a good story but I just didn't connect with it. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_13 | The Mercies Intellectually, I am interested in the subject, but again, subjectively speaking this didn't make me care, feel, be curios or anything that remotely resembles interest. I believe this is a case of me not the book. ( I'm only half lying when I say that :D ) Just to end things on a more informative note, this novel did a good job at describing the setting, the village, the everyday chores at the time, basically, it did put you in the 1600's Scandinavia (not that I have anything to compare it to, but it felt authentic) so that's a pro. Another thing I liked was the friendship between Ursa and Maren which gives perspective to the story. But neither of those things were enough to make me love or like this. It gets 3 stars because even though I didn't like it, I can recognise that it's not a story that deserves a lower rating either. Apparently inspired by true events (to an extent) - although one can easily guess there was a certain amount of reality to it. Not just in the way that women were treated but the overall sense of bleakness and eerie feeling that was constant throughout. I am conflicted when it comes to this book. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_14 | The Mercies I read it a couple of weeks ago and I thought I'd think on it for a while because I felt like I was supposed to like it more. I had a few issues with it but the biggest one was the fact that I just didn't like the writing style. This is a purely subjective observation and I'm sure (as I've noticed from other reviews) that no one or maybe very few people would cite that as a complaint against this book. For me the writing has to connect me to the place and people that inhabit that place but here it just annoyed the heck out of me, it kept pushing me out of the moment, I would have to stop and be frustrated. For someone who absolutely loves lyrical, over the top sentimental and sometimes difficult, unique writing styles, ~ okay, that's basically almost every type of writing, as long as it's good ~ I was quite shocked that I truly hated it and it mentally exhausted me because I had to force myself to disregard it in favour of the story itself. I guess it just wasn't for me, and to be honest I forced myself to read this to the end because the story and the characters were actually interesting and I really wanted to know where it would all lead. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_15 | The Mercies By the time I reached the end of the book, I would retract my observation about the characters or the story. I mean, sure, for a feminist historical novel it did all the right things and told a good story but I just didn't connect with it. Intellectually, I am interested in the subject, but again, subjectively speaking this didn't make me care, feel, be curios or anything that remotely resembles interest. I believe this is a case of me not the book. ( I'm only half lying when I say that :D ) Just to end things on a more informative note, this novel did a good job at describing the setting, the village, the everyday chores at the time, basically, it did put you in the 1600's Scandinavia (not that I have anything to compare it to, but it felt authentic) so that's a pro. Another thing I liked was the friendship between Ursa and Maren which gives perspective to the story. But neither of those things were enough to make me love or like this. It gets 3 stars because even though I didn't like it, I can recognise that it's not a story that deserves a lower rating either. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_16 | The Mercies May 30, 2023 Finmark, Norway, 1617 in the fishing town of Vardo, a storm sweeps in, causing the deaths of forty men. All the names left are the elderly, the very young and the village cleric. Now, the women must fend for themselves, which presents a huge problem. Women are not supposed to wear pants not rushing boats. I finished this book a few days ago and it hasn't left my thoughts. The atmosphere is so immersive, the characters so well drawn. Maren is a young 22, but capable and free thinking. Ursa, not used to this life, nor her sudden marriage to a man who has been sent to weed out witchcraft. Some of these women show surprising strength and work together for their survival. Some as always are jealous and willing to label those who have more, as witches. Marens sister in law, now a widow with a young son, is a Sami and these are people whose customs and runes are suspicious. This book doesn't spare one in it's descriptions of the smells and sounds, nor the beliefs of those in the village. The tone is tense and builds as the story progresses, as the danger becomes more apparent. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_17 | The Mercies Although there names may not be real, what happens here is actual history, as the author note explains. She also explains how and why the witch trials were happening in various countries and villages. A horribly, tragic time and one well documented in this novel. Reminiscent of the novel, Burial rites, but with its own character and flavor. ARC from Netgalley. I finished this book a few days ago and it hasn't left my thoughts. The atmosphere is so immersive, the characters so well drawn. Maren is a young 22, but capable and free thinking. Ursa, not used to this life, nor her sudden marriage to a man who has been sent to weed out witchcraft. Some of these women show surprising strength and work together for their survival. Some as always are jealous and willing to label those who have more, as witches. Marens sister in law, now a widow with a young son, is a Sami and these are people whose customs and runes are suspicious. This book doesn't spare one in it's descriptions of the smells and sounds, nor the beliefs of those in the village. The tone is tense and builds as the story progresses, as the danger becomes more apparent. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_18 | The Mercies Although there names may not be real, what happens here is actual history, as the author note explains. She also explains how and why the witch trials were happening in various countries and villages. A horribly, tragic time and one well documented in this novel. Reminiscent of the novel, Burial rites, but with its own character and flavor. ARC from Netgalley. February 12, 2020 NOW AVAILABLE!! back in the reviewing saddle. so, no—as i anticipated, this was not scary enough to be a true 'october is spoooooky' read, and reviewing it in december feels even less spooky, but it is an excellent book nonetheless; female-fronted historical fiction that reminded me of the novels of jessie burton in its similarly strong character development, its attention to detail, and its perspective of women in a historical context and a time period/setting that hasn't already been done to death. can we agree that we neverever need to publish another WWII novel? |
browsecomp_plus_82109_19 | The Mercies The Mercies is based on the real-true events which occurred in 1617 in a fishing village located on one of norway's tiny islands—when a sudden freak storm came, saw, and conquered; assaulting the fishing boats that were just heading out with the majority of the village's menfolk on board, killing forty men in a matter of minutes. this brief storm reduced the island's population dramatically, leaving behind only the women and girls, the very young boys and elderly men to survive in an unforgiving climate whose livelihood had depended on their fishermen. it was also a time where political power used religious devotion as a tool to get rid of undesirables. you know, that one time in history. the island's women have very little opportunity for grieving their husbands and sons; when their bodies wash ashore, they are collected and stored until the ground becomes soft enough to allow for their burial, and in the absence of able-bodied men, some of the women defy convention and take on the necessary task of fishing, to prevent their people starving to death. theirs is a village that has been long-isolated from the greater world, and has for the most part maintained a perfunctory relationship with religion. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_20 | The Mercies although some are more devout than others, the island's kirke is as much a town hall for the community to gather as it is a sacred place, and the region's indigenous sami* people have contributed their own rituals to the fabric of the village. one of these women has even married into the community; a woman named diinna, made a widow by the storm, whose family's cultural influence has long been a part of life on the island: after the storm, in the absence of male influence or supervision, the women step up to fill the void; capable, independent, unbound by conventional roles and duties—one woman even going so far as to wear her late husband's trousers. his TROUSERS!! the women are adjusting and getting by just fine on their own until the arrival of absalom cornet—a scottish commissioner and witch-hunter. with him is his new wife ursa, a young woman accustomed to city life, luxurious surroundings, and servants; unprepared both for the barebones living conditions of the island and the homemaking duties of a wife. cornet has been summoned by king's orders to restore godliness to the island and is horrified by the presence of runes and other evidence of heathen savagery he encounters. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_21 | The Mercies before long, some of the more devout women flutter under his masculine authority, relieved and reassured by a man's presence, and to ingratiate themselves with him, they begin to denounce their less conventional neighbors, in the way of all of history's witch hunting situations. unlike salem, where the accused were hung or smooshed by rocks, here they burn witches alive. and HOOO the witch-burning scene in this book is particularly horrifying. the story is carried by maren, who has lost her own betrothed in the storm, and ursa; two unlikely women thrown together by circumstance, forming an unexpectedly close, and very dangerous, bond. this is hargrave's adult debut, and it's an impressive one. the descriptions were strong, and reminded me of Tidelands; the similarly-situated/themed witch-series opener by philippa gregory— a hardscrabble existence on a bleak and tiny island where nature is unforgiving and women are at the mercy of powerful men and the gossip of bored or resentful neighbors, women whose reputations could be destroyed with a word or a suspicion. unlike gregory's novel, this one has merits apart from the descriptive finesse, most notably in the character development. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_22 | The Mercies ursa is especially well-written—a woman wrenched away from her home and her beloved, chronically ill, sister into a marriage arranged out of financial necessity; the culture shock of moving from comfortable, although faded, opulence to severe privation; the psychological shock of going from being a pampered daughter to becoming the wife of a man of deep religious conviction who is proud and ambitious but without any gentleness to him. he has no understanding of how to treat a lady, unless it's a witch he's burning, and the wedding-night sequence is excruciating to read, although her (long) wait for him to come to their room is a beautifully written scene of nervous expectation, ripe with foreshadowing. maren is also a very strong character. although island born and bred, she feels more compassion and patience for ursa than many of her neighbors. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_23 | The Mercies ursa stands out; a pretty flower in a stark landscape, and maren is drawn to her, helping ease her transition to island living, soon understanding that ursa's domestic helplessness is circumstantial, not a result of laziness, and that her life and her marriage are not as pleasant as one might expect—learning how much she has sacrificed; down to the most essential part of her identity: …because they will use his customs for naming, she is Mistress Absalom Cornet. Herself, lost inside his name.. this is a gorgeous piece of feminist historical fiction, full of female awakening and empowerment, despite the high cost of independence, and there is beautiful and subtle perspective-writing as the two women see in each other a reflected kindred spirit, and become more to each other than they could ever have foreseen. it's not out for a while, but it's worth waiting for. like this review? *TIL (or 'back in october IL') that 'lapps' is apparently an offensive term. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** SPOOKYMONTH WINDS DOWN! |
browsecomp_plus_82109_24 | The Mercies i have no expectations of this actually being a horror novel, but i won it thru the gr giveaways and it has been patiently waiting for me to finish my horror-only october readings, so in these last few days of shocktober: witches. not horror, but maybe gentle alarm? come to my blog! 'I remember once when runes gave you comfort, when sailors came to my father to cast bones and tell them of their time left to come. They are a language, Maren. Just because you do not speak it doesn't make it devilry.' back in the reviewing saddle. so, no—as i anticipated, this was not scary enough to be a true 'october is spoooooky' read, and reviewing it in december feels even less spooky, but it is an excellent book nonetheless; female-fronted historical fiction that reminded me of the novels of jessie burton in its similarly strong character development, its attention to detail, and its perspective of women in a historical context and a time period/setting that hasn't already been done to death. can we agree that we neverever need to publish another WWII novel? |
browsecomp_plus_82109_25 | The Mercies The Mercies is based on the real-true events which occurred in 1617 in a fishing village located on one of norway's tiny islands—when a sudden freak storm came, saw, and conquered; assaulting the fishing boats that were just heading out with the majority of the village's menfolk on board, killing forty men in a matter of minutes. this brief storm reduced the island's population dramatically, leaving behind only the women and girls, the very young boys and elderly men to survive in an unforgiving climate whose livelihood had depended on their fishermen. it was also a time where political power used religious devotion as a tool to get rid of undesirables. you know, that one time in history. the island's women have very little opportunity for grieving their husbands and sons; when their bodies wash ashore, they are collected and stored until the ground becomes soft enough to allow for their burial, and in the absence of able-bodied men, some of the women defy convention and take on the necessary task of fishing, to prevent their people starving to death. theirs is a village that has been long-isolated from the greater world, and has for the most part maintained a perfunctory relationship with religion. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_26 | The Mercies although some are more devout than others, the island's kirke is as much a town hall for the community to gather as it is a sacred place, and the region's indigenous sami* people have contributed their own rituals to the fabric of the village. one of these women has even married into the community; a woman named diinna, made a widow by the storm, whose family's cultural influence has long been a part of life on the island: Her father is a noaidi, a shaman of good standing. Before the kirke was more fully established, their neighbor Baar Ragnvalsson and many other men went to him for charms against bad weather. They had stopped lately, with new laws brought in to ban such things, but still Maren sees the small bone figures that the Sami say will protect against bad luck on most doorsteps. Pastor Gursson always turned a blind eye, though Toril and her ilk urged him to come down harder on such practices. after the storm, in the absence of male influence or supervision, the women step up to fill the void; capable, independent, unbound by conventional roles and duties—one woman even going so far as to wear her late husband's trousers. his TROUSERS!! |
browsecomp_plus_82109_27 | The Mercies the women are adjusting and getting by just fine on their own until the arrival of absalom cornet—a scottish commissioner and witch-hunter. with him is his new wife ursa, a young woman accustomed to city life, luxurious surroundings, and servants; unprepared both for the barebones living conditions of the island and the homemaking duties of a wife. cornet has been summoned by king's orders to restore godliness to the island and is horrified by the presence of runes and other evidence of heathen savagery he encounters. before long, some of the more devout women flutter under his masculine authority, relieved and reassured by a man's presence, and to ingratiate themselves with him, they begin to denounce their less conventional neighbors, in the way of all of history's witch hunting situations. unlike salem, where the accused were hung or smooshed by rocks, here they burn witches alive. and HOOO the witch-burning scene in this book is particularly horrifying. the story is carried by maren, who has lost her own betrothed in the storm, and ursa; two unlikely women thrown together by circumstance, forming an unexpectedly close, and very dangerous, bond. this is hargrave's adult debut, and it's an impressive one. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_28 | The Mercies the descriptions were strong, and reminded me of Tidelands; the similarly-situated/themed witch-series opener by philippa gregory— a hardscrabble existence on a bleak and tiny island where nature is unforgiving and women are at the mercy of powerful men and the gossip of bored or resentful neighbors, women whose reputations could be destroyed with a word or a suspicion. unlike gregory's novel, this one has merits apart from the descriptive finesse, most notably in the character development. ursa is especially well-written—a woman wrenched away from her home and her beloved, chronically ill, sister into a marriage arranged out of financial necessity; the culture shock of moving from comfortable, although faded, opulence to severe privation; the psychological shock of going from being a pampered daughter to becoming the wife of a man of deep religious conviction who is proud and ambitious but without any gentleness to him. he has no understanding of how to treat a lady, unless it's a witch he's burning, and the wedding-night sequence is excruciating to read, although her (long) wait for him to come to their room is a beautifully written scene of nervous expectation, ripe with foreshadowing. She removes the chamber pot from sight, slides the warming pan from one side of the bed to the other. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_29 | The Mercies There are pale stains on the mattress, and the straw has broken through in places. She can't face the greying pillow and so wraps her old nightdress about it. She lies ever so carefully, makes sure her hair is about her shoulders the way Agnete told her makes it look like she lies in a field of shining yellow wheat. Lamplight comes irregularly from the dock, and through the wooden walls she hears coarse voices speaking English and Norwegian and French and other languages she can't recognize. Beneath is all sits a creaking sound, like their stair at home, or Father's knees when he sits. For a long while she can't place it, and wonders if it is inside her own mind. But then she realizes: it is the ice, relocking about the ships maren is also a very strong character. although island born and bred, she feels more compassion and patience for ursa than many of her neighbors. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_30 | The Mercies ursa stands out; a pretty flower in a stark landscape, and maren is drawn to her, helping ease her transition to island living, soon understanding that ursa's domestic helplessness is circumstantial, not a result of laziness, and that her life and her marriage are not as pleasant as one might expect—learning how much she has sacrificed; down to the most essential part of her identity: …because they will use his customs for naming, she is Mistress Absalom Cornet. Herself, lost inside his name.. this is a gorgeous piece of feminist historical fiction, full of female awakening and empowerment, despite the high cost of independence, and there is beautiful and subtle perspective-writing as the two women see in each other a reflected kindred spirit, and become more to each other than they could ever have foreseen. it's not out for a while, but it's worth waiting for. like this review? *TIL (or 'back in october IL') that 'lapps' is apparently an offensive term. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** SPOOKYMONTH WINDS DOWN! |
browsecomp_plus_82109_31 | The Mercies i have no expectations of this actually being a horror novel, but i won it thru the gr giveaways and it has been patiently waiting for me to finish my horror-only october readings, so in these last few days of shocktober: witches. not horror, but maybe gentle alarm? come to my blog! May 12, 2020 The Mercies is inspired by the real events of the Vardo Storm and the 1621 Witch Trials on the Norwegian Island of Vardo. A Beautifully written and vivid story. I was swept up in the storytelling of Kiran Millwood Hargrave and the plight of the people left behind after the storm. A vivid and compelling plot with ingesting and believable characters make this such a compelling story. On Christmas Eve in 1617, the sea round the remote Norwegian Island of Vardo is thrown into a reckless strom. As Maren Magnusdatter watches, forty fisherman, including her father and brother are lost to the waves, the menfolk wiped out in an instant. Vardo is now a place of women. Eighteen months later Absalom Cornet is summoned to the Island and his control and suspicions of witchcraft bring a new kind of terror to the Island. This a beautifully imagined piece of historical fiction taking a little known event and creating and imagining a story that was touching and a memorable read. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_32 | The Mercies The cruelties of the times are well depicted and for the last 50 pages of the novel I was totally engorssed and memorised by the story and really didnt want this one to end. I am so happy I purchased a hard copy of this one as its a lovely addition for my real life book shelf. I think readers who have enjoyed novels like or will enjoy this one too. On Christmas Eve in 1617, the sea round the remote Norwegian Island of Vardo is thrown into a reckless strom. As Maren Magnusdatter watches, forty fisherman, including her father and brother are lost to the waves, the menfolk wiped out in an instant. Vardo is now a place of women. Eighteen months later Absalom Cornet is summoned to the Island and his control and suspicions of witchcraft bring a new kind of terror to the Island. This a beautifully imagined piece of historical fiction taking a little known event and creating and imagining a story that was touching and a memorable read. The cruelties of the times are well depicted and for the last 50 pages of the novel I was totally engorssed and memorised by the story and really didnt want this one to end. I am so happy I purchased a hard copy of this one as its a lovely addition for my real life book shelf. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_33 | The Mercies I think readers who have enjoyed novels like or will enjoy this one too. July 12, 2020 Based on real events, THE MERCIES is a riveting book about what powerful men back in the 1600's would do to quiet independent women. Set in the remote town of Vardo in Northern Norway, a storm hits while all 40 men in the village perish while fishing. The women must fend for themselves to survive in the harsh environment. Some women look at the storm suspiciously while others prove their strength by setting out to feed the community. This is an era of male domination. A self-righteous zealot with a history of burning witches is brought in from Scotland. Along the way he picks up a young wife whom he has never met and brings her to this bleak landscape. This is the story of that gentle wife and the friendship she develops. It's about the tragic circumstances that come to Vardo in the form of a religious fanatic and the superstition and jealousy of some of the women. It's about love, hate, betrayal, evil, and self-sacrifice. THE MERCIES plays on many of our emotions from anger, to a feeling of foreboding and the loss of those that are good. It is a stunning and beautifully written book. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_34 | The Mercies 4.5 stars out of 5 Set in the remote town of Vardo in Northern Norway, a storm hits while all 40 men in the village perish while fishing. The women must fend for themselves to survive in the harsh environment. Some women look at the storm suspiciously while others prove their strength by setting out to feed the community. This is an era of male domination. A self-righteous zealot with a history of burning witches is brought in from Scotland. Along the way he picks up a young wife whom he has never met and brings her to this bleak landscape. This is the story of that gentle wife and the friendship she develops. It's about the tragic circumstances that come to Vardo in the form of a religious fanatic and the superstition and jealousy of some of the women. It's about love, hate, betrayal, evil, and self-sacrifice. THE MERCIES plays on many of our emotions from anger, to a feeling of foreboding and the loss of those that are good. It is a stunning and beautifully written book. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_35 | The Mercies 4.5 stars out of 5 July 27, 2020 Based on a horrific true story of witchcraft deaths in Norway The Mercies starts with a catastrophe, the deaths of 40 fishermen in a sea storm off the tiny village of Vardo in northern Norway in 1617.This horrific, treacherous storm killed all the able bodied adult men of the town in one fell swoop. The women and children are left bereft. How are they to eat, to live, without their men? In tandem with the Vardo story is one of a young girl who is given in marriage by her father to a total stranger and a foreigner. She has to leave with him to go to Vardo within a few days of their betrothal and marriage. She has barely spoken to him and finds their union painful physically and mentally as she has to cut herself off from her beloved home and sister. As the two stories are united, we begin to fear for the innocent victims of the cruel and diabolical men who want to stamp out tradition, foreign ways and the spirits of strong women. The Mercies starts with a catastrophe, the deaths of 40 fishermen in a sea storm off the tiny village of Vardo in northern Norway in 1617.This horrific, treacherous storm killed all the able bodied adult men of the town in one fell swoop. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_36 | The Mercies The women and children are left bereft. How are they to eat, to live, without their men? In tandem with the Vardo story is one of a young girl who is given in marriage by her father to a total stranger and a foreigner. She has to leave with him to go to Vardo within a few days of their betrothal and marriage. She has barely spoken to him and finds their union painful physically and mentally as she has to cut herself off from her beloved home and sister. As the two stories are united, we begin to fear for the innocent victims of the cruel and diabolical men who want to stamp out tradition, foreign ways and the spirits of strong women. March 3, 2020 Christmas Eve, 1617. "...the storm comes in like a finger snap...the sea and sky clashing like a mountain splitting...All about her, other mothers, sisters, daughters are throwing themselves at the weather...a final flash of lightning illuminates the hatefully still sea...of their men, there is no sign...Papa used to say that the sea was the shape of their lives. They have always lived by its grace...but the storm has made it an enemy...". All forty fishermen were killed in the Vardo Storm. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_37 | The Mercies The women, able to recover the bodies, must store them over the frigid winter until the frozen ground softens...but...What caused the storm? Is it "the devilry" of the indigenous Sami people who used charms, runes and weather-weaving? Maren Magnusdatter, 20 years old, had lost her father, brother Eric and her betrothed, Dag, to the storm. Diinna, of Sami descent, was married to Eric. Despite the "press of thumb to her forehead", this did not "...draw a thread to reel men at sea home again" based upon Sami custom. June, 1618. Kindness of neighboring villages aside, "...we must start to carry ourselves. The ice is gone, we have the midnight sun...time to fish...". Eight women, dressed in their dead men's sealskins and caps...are consumed by their work. Some of the women "[ watch] from windows and keenly from the doorway of the Kirke...[judging, unfavorably]...". Kirsten Sorensdatter takes the lead by caring for and slaughtering reindeer, and by the way, wearing trousers while doing so. It might seem "ungodly" for women to be in charge. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_38 | The Mercies First, Pastor Kurtsson is sent to Vardo to provide continuing Christian values and additionally "bring the Sami" into the fold . While Maren and Kirsten fish, chop wood and ready fields for planting, "Kirke women" hang on Pastor's every word. Changes are coming. The new independence and self-sufficiency of the women is suspect. Interest in the pastor's message is waning. Suspicion is growing. Did witches wreck havoc and cause the harrowing storm? To this end, a Scotsman named Absalom Cornet is appointed commissioner to Vardo. His job: to root out witches by the method of "branding, strangling, and burning". Sinister Absalom Cornet, a religious zealot who prays fervently, has no tolerance and expects subservience from all women. He has brought his bride, Ursa to this harsh land. Ursa, a sheltered teenager, finds a friend and confidant in Maren. The friendship is unlikely, devotion to each other, beautifully portrayed. "The Mercies" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave engendered a plethora of emotions. I felt sadness, longing, isolation, love, tenderness, anger and frustration. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_39 | The Mercies I felt as if I spent time in Vardo with both Maren and Ursa, the principal, well detailed and well written protagonists of this historical fiction tome describing the Vardo Storm of 1621 and the life changes of a group of strong-willed, determined women. Highly recommended. Thank you Little, Brown and Company and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Mercies". All forty fishermen were killed in the Vardo Storm. The women, able to recover the bodies, must store them over the frigid winter until the frozen ground softens...but...What caused the storm? Is it "the devilry" of the indigenous Sami people who used charms, runes and weather-weaving? Maren Magnusdatter, 20 years old, had lost her father, brother Eric and her betrothed, Dag, to the storm. Diinna, of Sami descent, was married to Eric. Despite the "press of thumb to her forehead", this did not "...draw a thread to reel men at sea home again" based upon Sami custom. June, 1618. Kindness of neighboring villages aside, "...we must start to carry ourselves. The ice is gone, we have the midnight sun...time to fish...". |
browsecomp_plus_82109_40 | The Mercies Eight women, dressed in their dead men's sealskins and caps...are consumed by their work. Some of the women "[ watch] from windows and keenly from the doorway of the Kirke...[judging, unfavorably]...". Kirsten Sorensdatter takes the lead by caring for and slaughtering reindeer, and by the way, wearing trousers while doing so. It might seem "ungodly" for women to be in charge. First, Pastor Kurtsson is sent to Vardo to provide continuing Christian values and additionally "bring the Sami" into the fold . While Maren and Kirsten fish, chop wood and ready fields for planting, "Kirke women" hang on Pastor's every word. Changes are coming. The new independence and self-sufficiency of the women is suspect. Interest in the pastor's message is waning. Suspicion is growing. Did witches wreck havoc and cause the harrowing storm? To this end, a Scotsman named Absalom Cornet is appointed commissioner to Vardo. His job: to root out witches by the method of "branding, strangling, and burning". Sinister Absalom Cornet, a religious zealot who prays fervently, has no tolerance and expects subservience from all women. He has brought his bride, Ursa to this harsh land. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_41 | The Mercies Ursa, a sheltered teenager, finds a friend and confidant in Maren. The friendship is unlikely, devotion to each other, beautifully portrayed. "The Mercies" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave engendered a plethora of emotions. I felt sadness, longing, isolation, love, tenderness, anger and frustration. I felt as if I spent time in Vardo with both Maren and Ursa, the principal, well detailed and well written protagonists of this historical fiction tome describing the Vardo Storm of 1621 and the life changes of a group of strong-willed, determined women. Highly recommended. Thank you Little, Brown and Company and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Mercies". April 18, 2020 The last two days have been dark and dreary and cool -- the perfect weather in which to read this beautifully rendered novel set in northeastern Norway, a place of cold, dark, and long winters. It was not just the setting that was chilling, but the story itself. In 1617, a ferocious storm blew over the island of Vardø, killing all of the men who were fishing at the time. The women were left to fend for themselves for a time until the witch hunt began by King Christian IV reached their small community. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_42 | The Mercies This is the background and real history that Kiran Millwood Hargrave expands upon, weaving together a brilliant, beautiful, but ultimately tragic story about the women whose lives are shattered with the storm, and then further broken apart with the arrival of the pious and sadistic Commissioner Absalom Cornet. The descriptions of this island are exquisite and the characters resurrected in beautiful prose. It took about 5 pages of reading to have me gripped and not wanting to put this book down. It is the kind of historical fiction I like (as opposed to WWII cheesy romances). There is a background love story in this too, but between two women which I appreciate more than the usual F/M romance. The story is narrated in turn by each of these women: Maren, a strong and capable young woman whose fiancé was killed at sea, and Ursa, the young wife of Commissioner Cornet. As these two women are drawn ever closer, the events unfolding around them become more and more horrific. Because this is based on real events, it is all the more harrowing. The brutality inflicted upon countless women and men by self-righteous religious leaders is appalling. The fear and hysteria instigated by those leaders led to so much suffering and death. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_43 | The Mercies I hadn't known about the witch trials of Vardø prior to reading this novel, but they were basically the same everywhere they transpired. Chilling and haunting yet beautiful, The Mercies is a novel that fans of historical fiction will not want to miss. In 1617, a ferocious storm blew over the island of Vardø, killing all of the men who were fishing at the time. The women were left to fend for themselves for a time until the witch hunt began by King Christian IV reached their small community. This is the background and real history that Kiran Millwood Hargrave expands upon, weaving together a brilliant, beautiful, but ultimately tragic story about the women whose lives are shattered with the storm, and then further broken apart with the arrival of the pious and sadistic Commissioner Absalom Cornet. The descriptions of this island are exquisite and the characters resurrected in beautiful prose. It took about 5 pages of reading to have me gripped and not wanting to put this book down. It is the kind of historical fiction I like (as opposed to WWII cheesy romances). There is a background love story in this too, but between two women which I appreciate more than the usual F/M romance. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_44 | The Mercies The story is narrated in turn by each of these women: Maren, a strong and capable young woman whose fiancé was killed at sea, and Ursa, the young wife of Commissioner Cornet. As these two women are drawn ever closer, the events unfolding around them become more and more horrific. Because this is based on real events, it is all the more harrowing. The brutality inflicted upon countless women and men by self-righteous religious leaders is appalling. The fear and hysteria instigated by those leaders led to so much suffering and death. I hadn't known about the witch trials of Vardø prior to reading this novel, but they were basically the same everywhere they transpired. Chilling and haunting yet beautiful, The Mercies is a novel that fans of historical fiction will not want to miss. January 27, 2021 The Mercies is inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials. Taking these historical events, Kiran Millwood Hargrave creates a story centered around a community of powerful, independent, strong female characters. After the storm took the men's lives in a small Norwegian village in 1617, the women are left on their own. They must find a way to survive and live on their own. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_45 | The Mercies Maren is left grieving the death of her father, brother, and fiancé with her mother and sister in law. Through the strength of each other, the women have built a life for themselves without men. We see into their daily lives as they fish, tend to livestock, and plant, and at times, the pace was a little slow going. They have grown strong as a community but not without struggles as they deal with their grief, loss, beliefs, and accepting the differences in each other. Three years later, a Commissioner arrives to see what evil lurks in the women who can survive without men. A witch hunt begins, and we start to see themes of feminism here while exploring oppression. It is easy to draw modern-day parallels to. It also explore organized religion used to control the women and what happens when they don't conform to it. The Mercies is an empowering, beautifully written story; however, the author does not shy away from disturbing details. It's intense thought-provoking, insightful story of love, friendship, evil, power and control with women we can learn from! I highly recommend it. What makes a strong female character? |
browsecomp_plus_82109_46 | The Mercies Check out my post After the storm took the men's lives in a small Norwegian village in 1617, the women are left on their own. They must find a way to survive and live on their own. Maren is left grieving the death of her father, brother, and fiancé with her mother and sister in law. Through the strength of each other, the women have built a life for themselves without men. We see into their daily lives as they fish, tend to livestock, and plant, and at times, the pace was a little slow going. They have grown strong as a community but not without struggles as they deal with their grief, loss, beliefs, and accepting the differences in each other. Three years later, a Commissioner arrives to see what evil lurks in the women who can survive without men. A witch hunt begins, and we start to see themes of feminism here while exploring oppression. It is easy to draw modern-day parallels to. It also explore organized religion used to control the women and what happens when they don't conform to it. The Mercies is an empowering, beautifully written story; however, the author does not shy away from disturbing details. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_47 | The Mercies It's intense thought-provoking, insightful story of love, friendship, evil, power and control with women we can learn from! I highly recommend it. What makes a strong female character? Check out my post February 15, 2021 Taking an underrepresented piece of history, author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, inspired by the 1617 Vardo, Norway storm and the witch trials that followed in 1621, wrote this unforgettable work of historical fiction. For this reason, along with GR friend, Jenna's awesome review and a trip to Scandinavia over 30 years ago, drew me to this story. This novel earned 5 stars from me for the following reasons: 1. memorable characters, both likable and despicable, are the highlight of this story; 2. the plot leads you from sadness to utter despair (okay, it's not a feel-good story); 3. I learned about the persecution of the indigenous Sami people (whose homeland is the Lapland region); 4. I could feel the intense cruelty and fear during the descriptions of the witch hunts; 5. Hargrave's "Historical Note" lent some fascinating information; and, 6. narrator, Jessie Buckley, brings this story to life on this audiobook (I especially appreciated her pronunciation of Norwegian names and places). |
browsecomp_plus_82109_48 | The Mercies It is so sad that women can be their own worst enemies. Heartbreaking, but highly recommended! This novel earned 5 stars from me for the following reasons: 1. memorable characters, both likable and despicable, are the highlight of this story; 2. the plot leads you from sadness to utter despair (okay, it's not a feel-good story); 3. I learned about the persecution of the indigenous Sami people (whose homeland is the Lapland region); 4. I could feel the intense cruelty and fear during the descriptions of the witch hunts; 5. Hargrave's "Historical Note" lent some fascinating information; and, 6. narrator, Jessie Buckley, brings this story to life on this audiobook (I especially appreciated her pronunciation of Norwegian names and places). It is so sad that women can be their own worst enemies. Heartbreaking, but highly recommended! August 28, 2022 In 1617, 40 men from a Norwegian coastal village were killed by a freak storm while fishing, which was all the village men, excluding those very old or young. The Mercies, based on the real events, tells of the women surviving alone in a time of superstition, struggling to provide for themselves, and the tragic witch trials to follow. Descriptive and evocative. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_49 | The Mercies April 20, 2020 1617. Norway. A group of women stand, bracing the harsh winds of a sudden storm, as they stare out at sea and watch the broken bodies of their men fling themselves to shore. The only males now left in their society are the very young or the very old; those who did not brave the fickle beast called nature and lose. They are isolated and must rely on themselves and each other if they are to survive the brutal land they call home. A year passes but grief still lies thick upon their skin. The women have taken up their former roles as well as those of the men they lost but have not forgotten. But this is not the Christian way. And the so-called messengers of Him will ensure they pay for their transgressions. Although told through fictional characters, The Mercies relays the very real story of the Vardø storm and the subsequent 1621 witch trials. The fear of the other looms like a distant storm cloud, throughout the entire narrative, closing in as the story breaks, with horror, sorrow and the despicable acts inflicted by humans to each other, along with it. This tale was largely a slow-moving one. It is told through a series of subtle glances and the brush of skin upon skin. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_50 | The Mercies It relays a history of people, a culture losing its grip to religion, and the dark deeds of man through quiet interactions and long silences. I got to know the women of this community before I grew to know their so-called sins. And this was largely the point of the book. Females dominate this community and the novel, and yet they are never the ones who are the deciders of their own future fates. They are never the ones who have dominion over their community, their land, or even their bodies. One male presence is enough to dispel any illusions of this. For to be born male is to be born with power, and to be born powerful is to learn how to abuse it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, and the publisher, Pan Macmillan, for this opportunity. A year passes but grief still lies thick upon their skin. The women have taken up their former roles as well as those of the men they lost but have not forgotten. But this is not the Christian way. And the so-called messengers of Him will ensure they pay for their transgressions. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_51 | The Mercies Although told through fictional characters, The Mercies relays the very real story of the Vardø storm and the subsequent 1621 witch trials. The fear of the other looms like a distant storm cloud, throughout the entire narrative, closing in as the story breaks, with horror, sorrow and the despicable acts inflicted by humans to each other, along with it. This tale was largely a slow-moving one. It is told through a series of subtle glances and the brush of skin upon skin. It relays a history of people, a culture losing its grip to religion, and the dark deeds of man through quiet interactions and long silences. I got to know the women of this community before I grew to know their so-called sins. And this was largely the point of the book. Females dominate this community and the novel, and yet they are never the ones who are the deciders of their own future fates. They are never the ones who have dominion over their community, their land, or even their bodies. One male presence is enough to dispel any illusions of this. For to be born male is to be born with power, and to be born powerful is to learn how to abuse it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_52 | The Mercies Thank you to the author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, and the publisher, Pan Macmillan, for this opportunity. March 3, 2020 ARC received in exchange for an honest review 🌊 Atmospheric and beautifully written, The Mercies takes inspiration from the real life disaster of 1617 where 40 men drowned on Christmas Eve off the coast of Vardo in Norway in a vicious and unnatural storm. For the women left behind they must fight not only for survival in the harsh climate, but also the resulting accusations of witchcraft which creates a growing level of mistrust between the women. Taking centre stage in this story are two women, Maren and Ursa. Maren is the daughter of a fisherman, who lost both her father and brother in the storm. Ursa is the new wife of a renowned Witch Hunter, a man who has been sent to Vardo to quell the growing rumours of women living independently by any means possible. Even if his methods have horrific and life ending consequences. I loved the writing in this. It's richly descriptive and well researched, immersing the reader in the environment from the very first page with a vivid reimagining of this tragic disaster. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_53 | The Mercies The characters are also well fleshed out and complex, as we see Maren struggle to deal with her growing resentment for some of the women she's grown up with - including the slow unravelling of her relationship with her mother and brother's wife, an outsider. This really feels like a tale about women, how they create kinship in times of need and band together as a community. They're pragmatic, but this also then dissolves into mistrust and hatred over time. A hatred fuelled by the church and its Commissioner with stories of spells and the devil. The standout relationship however is that between Maren and Ursa. It's gradually built upon, as the two women share their experiences and losses, growing first into friends and then something deeper. Something more meaningful. They are each other's shining beacon of hope in an otherwise desolate landscape. It feels realistic and hopeful, amongst an otherwise dark story. That said, there was just something missing for me throughout the story and I think that's largely a result of the pacing. The story takes place over 3 years, and is very slow to pick up after the dramatic opening scene. Not much happens for a large portion of the text, with both our main characters not even meeting until over 100 pages in. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_54 | The Mercies There's a lot of set up, and a lot of talk between the women (which does help with character development), which leaves the plot lagging and stilted. At times I did find my mind wandering, and I struggled to stay focused on the story. The pay off at the end also doesn't fully compensate for the pacing. It feels a little incomplete, and not totally satisfying. A fascinating and well researched look at a moment in time that is largely overlooked in literature, but I just wanted more from the plot and pacing to accommodate these wonderful characters. Atmospheric and beautifully written, The Mercies takes inspiration from the real life disaster of 1617 where 40 men drowned on Christmas Eve off the coast of Vardo in Norway in a vicious and unnatural storm. For the women left behind they must fight not only for survival in the harsh climate, but also the resulting accusations of witchcraft which creates a growing level of mistrust between the women. Taking centre stage in this story are two women, Maren and Ursa. Maren is the daughter of a fisherman, who lost both her father and brother in the storm. Ursa is the new wife of a renowned Witch Hunter, a man who has been sent to Vardo to quell the growing rumours of women living independently by any means possible. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_55 | The Mercies Even if his methods have horrific and life ending consequences. I loved the writing in this. It's richly descriptive and well researched, immersing the reader in the environment from the very first page with a vivid reimagining of this tragic disaster. The characters are also well fleshed out and complex, as we see Maren struggle to deal with her growing resentment for some of the women she's grown up with - including the slow unravelling of her relationship with her mother and brother's wife, an outsider. This really feels like a tale about women, how they create kinship in times of need and band together as a community. They're pragmatic, but this also then dissolves into mistrust and hatred over time. A hatred fuelled by the church and its Commissioner with stories of spells and the devil. The standout relationship however is that between Maren and Ursa. It's gradually built upon, as the two women share their experiences and losses, growing first into friends and then something deeper. Something more meaningful. They are each other's shining beacon of hope in an otherwise desolate landscape. It feels realistic and hopeful, amongst an otherwise dark story. That said, there was just something missing for me throughout the story and I think that's largely a result of the pacing. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_56 | The Mercies The story takes place over 3 years, and is very slow to pick up after the dramatic opening scene. Not much happens for a large portion of the text, with both our main characters not even meeting until over 100 pages in. There's a lot of set up, and a lot of talk between the women (which does help with character development), which leaves the plot lagging and stilted. At times I did find my mind wandering, and I struggled to stay focused on the story. The pay off at the end also doesn't fully compensate for the pacing. It feels a little incomplete, and not totally satisfying. A fascinating and well researched look at a moment in time that is largely overlooked in literature, but I just wanted more from the plot and pacing to accommodate these wonderful characters. March 23, 2020 After reading this I'm not sure which makes me angrier - the arrogance of the Protestant church including murder under the guise of Christianity, the racist prejudices against a minority, or the abusive self-righteous, domineering husbands. These are evils portrayed in Hargrave's historically based account of the hardscrabble women of 17th century Finnmark, Norway. Hargrove melds the harsh Norwegian landscape and its weather with a sense of foreboding. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_57 | The Mercies She has created personalities that immerse the reader in the social constrictions placed on women and how their fear of natural disaster leads to hysteria and irrational explanations. In the midst of this horrific setting is a love story and the sacrifices a lover makes for their loved one. This is a tragic event that occurred centuries ago but I found it holds valuable lessons for women today. Hargrove melds the harsh Norwegian landscape and its weather with a sense of foreboding. She has created personalities that immerse the reader in the social constrictions placed on women and how their fear of natural disaster leads to hysteria and irrational explanations. In the midst of this horrific setting is a love story and the sacrifices a lover makes for their loved one. This is a tragic event that occurred centuries ago but I found it holds valuable lessons for women today. February 29, 2020 [ 4+] Over the last few days I have been transported to an isolated fishing village in 17th century Norway. When all the able bodied men perish in a storm, women must step into the men's roles to survive. The novel's tension builds slowly and focuses on the relationship between two women, Marin and Ursa, the wife of the new commissioner, whose mission is to find and persecute witches. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_58 | The Mercies I loved every moment of my immersion in this beautifully rendered and chilling world! Thank you to Little, Brown and Company @picadorbooks for the ARC. Thank you to Little, Brown and Company @picadorbooks for the ARC. April 18, 2021 5+ "Grief cannot feed you, but it fills you." "But now she knows she was foolish to believe that evil existed only out there. It was here, among them, walking on two legs, passing judgement with a human tongue. Sometimes you read a historical book and you are aware of how much has changed, and sometimes the book screams things haven't changed much at all. The Mercies is one of the latter. Actual witch hunts have taken place for centuries. In 1617, off the coast of Norway, an unprecedented storm killed 40 fisherman, fathers, sons, husbands, brothers. Was this an act of nature or some unnatural evil force? Could some "witchy women" be responsible? There have been many beautiful reviews of this book. One more retelling is not necessary, but there could never be too many accolades. The barren and frigid coast of Norway sets the mood. Always desolate and dark for much of the year, I felt the chill in my bones and the foreboding chill of what was coming. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_59 | The Mercies The fires that warmed these women, the ashes that needed tending also foretold of other fires and human ashes. Fire for survival, death by fire. The ocean that sustains life is the ocean that destroys life and invokes fear. The author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, expertly builds the suspense in this chilling tale, making sure all our senses are fully engaged. Women trying to survive on their own become petty and jealous, the religious zealots point fingers, seeing guilt where none exists and so begins the maelstrom that cannot be stopped. What starts as small village disaccord grows into group hysteria. Dictatorial rulers have always known how best to worm their way into control: build distrust among the people and encourage them to turn on one another, build fear, often fear of one segment of the population, torture those who voice disagreement, takeover or shut down the media (not a problem in 1617). Similarly to The Mercies, often these corrupt leaders (and often religious officials) chose to come down hard on women, especially strong women. Are things different today? The power of women is a dominant theme in this novel, although their strength is both their salvation and their downfall. Through love, courage, and friendship women prevailed in 1617 and through the ages. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_60 | The Mercies This is the beautiful message of this powerful book, one of the best I have read this year or maybe in many years. You can bend but never break me 'Cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer 'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul. (verse 3 I Am Woman) "Grief cannot feed you, but it fills you." "But now she knows she was foolish to believe that evil existed only out there. It was here, among them, walking on two legs, passing judgement with a human tongue. Sometimes you read a historical book and you are aware of how much has changed, and sometimes the book screams things haven't changed much at all. The Mercies is one of the latter. Actual witch hunts have taken place for centuries. In 1617, off the coast of Norway, an unprecedented storm killed 40 fisherman, fathers, sons, husbands, brothers. Was this an act of nature or some unnatural evil force? Could some "witchy women" be responsible? There have been many beautiful reviews of this book. One more retelling is not necessary, but there could never be too many accolades. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_61 | The Mercies The barren and frigid coast of Norway sets the mood. Always desolate and dark for much of the year, I felt the chill in my bones and the foreboding chill of what was coming. The fires that warmed these women, the ashes that needed tending also foretold of other fires and human ashes. Fire for survival, death by fire. The ocean that sustains life is the ocean that destroys life and invokes fear. The author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, expertly builds the suspense in this chilling tale, making sure all our senses are fully engaged. Women trying to survive on their own become petty and jealous, the religious zealots point fingers, seeing guilt where none exists and so begins the maelstrom that cannot be stopped. What starts as small village disaccord grows into group hysteria. Dictatorial rulers have always known how best to worm their way into control: build distrust among the people and encourage them to turn on one another, build fear, often fear of one segment of the population, torture those who voice disagreement, takeover or shut down the media (not a problem in 1617). Similarly to The Mercies, often these corrupt leaders (and often religious officials) chose to come down hard on women, especially strong women. Are things different today? |
browsecomp_plus_82109_62 | The Mercies The power of women is a dominant theme in this novel, although their strength is both their salvation and their downfall. Through love, courage, and friendship women prevailed in 1617 and through the ages. This is the beautiful message of this powerful book, one of the best I have read this year or maybe in many years. You can bend but never break me 'Cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer 'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul. (verse 3 I Am Woman) March 8, 2020 F**k this book and what it did to my heart. Two points of note: 1. This was not what I was expecting. 2 . This book held me captivated from start to finish. I honestly thought this was going to have real witchcraft but it's firmly on the solid land of Historical Fiction. We're in 1620 Norway, visiting a tiny commune in Vardo following an unexpected storm that's wiped out the majority of the male population. The women have to fend for themselves as best they can, before an outsider comes to take control. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_63 | The Mercies I genuinely thought this was a book set on a fictional island that was inhabited solely by women - something more akin to the Amazons (I'm not the greatest at blurb comprehension, I'll admit). I was ready for some badass ladies finding their power. But this is all snow and ice and backwards ways and dark, dark times. It was super depressing. This entire story is gloomy and overcast, and the author does such an incredible job of transporting us to this historical village of ice and snow with a storm hanging over its head. I knew very early on this was not going to be a happy story. Add to that the fact that this story is inspired by true events and it's enough to make your blood run cold. I was fully entrenched in this world while reading, and I felt so much for the characters. I connected completely and felt their pain as my own. By the end of it I was nearly crying from all the hardship. And I'm not really a crier. This is a heart-wrenching story about the evil of ignorance. About how following blindly can have tragic consequences. And about how contagious fear is, and how detrimental that fear becomes. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_64 | The Mercies How grateful I am to live in a world that's moved past these evils, but how terrified I am to see the same ignorance and fear causing different tragedies around the world four hundred years later. I'll likely be recommending this one to a lot of people. If I hadn't been lured in by wrong impressions I would not have picked this up, and that would have been a real loss, because this is such an incredible read. It's not particularly happy but it's fascinating and atmospheric and creates a true connection to these women and what they experience. A highly worthy read. With thanks to Macmillan for an ARC. Two points of note: 1. This was not what I was expecting. 2 . This book held me captivated from start to finish. I honestly thought this was going to have real witchcraft but it's firmly on the solid land of Historical Fiction. We're in 1620 Norway, visiting a tiny commune in Vardo following an unexpected storm that's wiped out the majority of the male population. The women have to fend for themselves as best they can, before an outsider comes to take control. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_65 | The Mercies I genuinely thought this was a book set on a fictional island that was inhabited solely by women - something more akin to the Amazons (I'm not the greatest at blurb comprehension, I'll admit). I was ready for some badass ladies finding their power. But this is all snow and ice and backwards ways and dark, dark times. It was super depressing. This entire story is gloomy and overcast, and the author does such an incredible job of transporting us to this historical village of ice and snow with a storm hanging over its head. I knew very early on this was not going to be a happy story. Add to that the fact that this story is inspired by true events and it's enough to make your blood run cold. I was fully entrenched in this world while reading, and I felt so much for the characters. I connected completely and felt their pain as my own. By the end of it I was nearly crying from all the hardship. And I'm not really a crier. This is a heart-wrenching story about the evil of ignorance. About how following blindly can have tragic consequences. And about how contagious fear is, and how detrimental that fear becomes. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_66 | The Mercies How grateful I am to live in a world that's moved past these evils, but how terrified I am to see the same ignorance and fear causing different tragedies around the world four hundred years later. I'll likely be recommending this one to a lot of people. If I hadn't been lured in by wrong impressions I would not have picked this up, and that would have been a real loss, because this is such an incredible read. It's not particularly happy but it's fascinating and atmospheric and creates a true connection to these women and what they experience. A highly worthy read. With thanks to Macmillan for an ARC. December 8, 2019 Norway 1617, the town of Vardo. Maren Bergensdatter and Diinna are just two of the women who have made their way through the slashing rain to the edge of their island to watch a terrible, colossal storm raining down havoc and destruction on the little fishing fleet caught in the middle of it. Maren and the other women are not aware of the consequences that this storm is going to have on the lives of their island town. As the storm subsides, the women observe the detritus rolling in towards them on the waves. |
browsecomp_plus_82109_67 | The Mercies "The women of Vardo gather at the scooped-out edge of their island, and though some are still shouting, Maren's ears ring with silence. Before her, the harbour is wiped smooth as a mirror. Her Jaw is caught on the hinges of itself, her tongue dripping blood warm down her chin. Her needle is threaded in the web between her thumb and forefinger, the wound a neat circle of pink. As she watches, a final flash of lightning illuminates the hatefully still sea, and from its blackness rise oars and rudders and a full mast with gently stowed sails, like underwater forests uprooted. Of their men, there is no sign. The women of Vardo don't know it yet but every man of the fishing fleet has drowned, including Maren's father and brother. Her brother was Diinna's husband and his loss is felt by both women. There used to be fifty-three males living in the town, now there are thirteen. Two are merely babies, three are elders, and the rest are young boys who were too young to be out with the fleet. Superstition is rife. The women start looking for answers as to what caused this tragedy. The storm abnormally strong and swift. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.