Mercy Me

by Margaret A. Graham

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800758730
• ISBN13: 9780800758738
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Love this book!

Miss Graham was my 7th grade Bible teacher and we all loved her. This book is so full of fun as she was. The Church ladies will argue and disagree about any and everything until they are needed to help their community. Esmeralda is an anchor for her community and does all she can to do as a Christian should. I thoroughly enjoyed all the members of her Church and her faithful friend Elijah

An Enchanting, Fun Read

In this delightful romp through the daily life of a small-town Southern woman, Margaret A. Graham gets a chance to have some fun with her characters while poking a bit of fun at the church --- something I happen to adore. Esmeralda is an immediately likable character, an older woman who does not abide nonsense and takes utter pleasure in dispensing her always practical advice to others, even those "others" she knows will never heed her counsel. Mainly, of course, church folk. But, as Graham wisely knows, it's those very same church folk who will be the ones to rally to support people in need and distress, as the church's Willing Workers do throughout --- helping those who grieve, those who are saddled with overwhelming responsibilities, those who need a warm casserole as much as a warm hug. Esmeralda finds herself on the receiving end of their generous gifts of time and food when she assumes responsibility for a woman dying of AIDS. Throughout the book, Esmeralda writes letters to her lifelong friend Beatrice, a literary device Graham uses skillfully. Through the letters back and forth, we gain greater insight into what makes Esmeralda tick, and through her friend we eventually see a flawed aspect of her nature. Anyone who has lived in the South, the real South, is bound to be amused by Graham's ear for the "language" --- the way real Southerners express their thoughts, their choice of words, and their charming way of simply making up words. Thus Esmeralda advises Beatrice that the "onliest doctor" she needs is Dr. Scholl, seeks out a "notary republic", and quotes Charles "Splurgeon" throughout. The book also has some hilarious moments, as when Esmeralda must make up a name for the dying Hispanic woman and can only think of "Carmen Miranda" (which admittedly may not be funny to those too young to remember her), or when she tries to resolve an immigration problem, gets shuffled from one office to another in the courthouse, and finally takes it upon herself to enter a door marked Problem Resolution Office, only to discover 45 minutes later that it's an IRS office. And Graham's use of imagery shines throughout the book: "Her pauses are like when the washing machine stops then starts up again," Esmeralda says about Beatrice. Graham has most assuredly done her share of laundry, because only someone who has listened out for the end of the cycle countless times can relate to the way those pauses sound like a person holding her breath. "If Clara can't climb down your family tree to the bare roots, you don't get no clean bill of health," she says of another church member. But there are some missteps. Esmeralda uncharacteristically comments on the number of Christians killed and tortured around the world, something that doesn't sound like her but instead sounds like the author trying to educate her audience. Then there's the mandatory salvation scene, in which one character practically grills another to find out if she led a woman to the Lord in preci

A Delightful Book

This book was such a fun book to read. Esmeralda was an elderly character with a lot of spunk, who also went through some rough times with her husband when he came back from the war. It was so easy to love her. There was a lot of humor in this book--the church ladies following Horace to make sure the mule got a proper burial, Esmeralda giving dating advice to her friend, Beatrice, the church ladies all picking out a casket together, Maria's fake name. But with the humor, I saw a lot of "what would Jesus do" stuff spread throughout the book in a very subtle manner--Esmeralda taking in Maria when she was so sick, Esmeralda telling Beatrice to go out of her way to be friendly to her obnoxious neighbors, Esmeralda telling Beatrice to make sure that Carl is a godly man, Esmeralda being so kind to Horace when he was so spiteful towards her in the beginning of the book.You will love this book and the characters.

Excellent!

I "enjoyed meeting" all the characters, they were very real, interesting and most of them were quite likable! I don't believe Esmeralda will ever allow her life to become boring. She may be a widow living alone but she does not allow herself to become "self-absorbed." I am hoping for a sequel or maybe even a series. I didn't really want to put the book down until I finished it. The author gives you a sense that "something is going to happen" but I was still surprised at what transpired in this quaint little southern town. A great book!

A delightful read!

Esmeralda, the heroine, is an outspoken and feisty church member, never afraid of giving advice - especially to her timid friend, Beatrice and other not-so-Christian acting church members! Once you start to read "Mercy Me" you won't be able to put it down! Not only is it hilarious but also contains many truths about church members' behavior! Many of the characters will seem very familiar to any Evangelical church goer. Highly recommended!

Well done

Esmerelda is a spunky lady in a small North Carolina town. She's not nosy, but she is willing to advise anyone and everyone who comes along. Most of her advice is directed through phone and letter to her dear friend Beatrice who is having late in life romantic problems.Her skills are put into the test when the AIDS crisis impacts this unlikely town. Her mercy and wisdom will be severely challenged as she is called upon to extend the hand of Christian love in what would be called above and beyond duty. She proves that love is love by what it produces, especially extended to strangers.***** Esmerelda is an unlikely, folksy heroine that will remind you of Aunt Bea. She is a lady from another time in the modern world who exemplifies Christianity. *****