Small Mercies, by Bridget Krone

Our Mother-Daughter Book Club picked this title in part because one of our members is South African. It turned out to be our first selection in quite some time that every member read to completion. It charmed us all, as well as offering plenty of fodder for discussion.

Eleven-year-old Mercy lives with the rather senior sisters Flora and Mary. They aren’t actually aunts, but they function that way. The reasons for Mercy’s residency with them are a bit murky at first, but they emerge as the story progresses.

The action opens on a raft of misfortunes that have–and continue to–beset the household, including (but not limited to) diminishing funds, mounting home repair needs, and Flora’s progressing dementia. And then there is the aptly named Mr. Craven who is intent on buying their aging home and its adjoining vacant lot.

Meanwhile, if Krone’s narrative can be trusted, the adolescent social scene is every bit as difficult to negotiate in South Africa as in North America. At school Mercy contends with snarky mean girls, smart-aleck boys, socially awkward would-be friends, and an exasperated teacher clearly out of her depth.

Fortunately, a host of quirky and kindhearted friends, tenants, and neighbors come alongside the aging sisters and the timid Mercy. As the trio navigate seemingly insurmountable troubles, their new friend Mr. Singh provides inspirational glimpses into the life of Mahatma Ghandi. The youthful inhibitions of this remarkable shaper of history might have made some regard him as an unlikely hero.

Krone’s ability to employ every last detail to narrative effect achieves an almost magical alchemy. The jubilant climax celebrates the diverse cultures of South Africa, the power of community, and the ability of overlooked individuals to make valuable contributions.

In recent years I’ve heard many people comment that middle grade fiction is what we all really want to read–familiar challenges with hope-filled outcomes. If that’s your kind of book, Small Mercies is a must-read. I highly recommend the audiobook. Reader Motshidi Moshegwa’s ability to adapt for age, gender, and a wide variety of accents is mesmerizing.