Little Mercies

By: Heather Gudenkauf

Narrated by: Kate Rudd, Tanya Eby

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In her latest ripped-from-the-headlines tour de force, New York Times best-selling author Heather Gudenkauf shows how one small mistake can have life-altering consequences….

Veteran social worker Ellen Moore has seen the worst side of humanity - the vilest acts one person can commit against another. She is a fiercely dedicated children's advocate and a devoted mother and wife. But one blistering summer day, a simple moment of distraction will have repercussions that Ellen could never have imagined, threatening to shatter everything she holds dear, and trapping her between the gears of the system she works for.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but irresponsible father since her mother left them, sleeping on friends' couches and moving in and out of cheap motels. When Jenny suddenly finds herself on her own, she is forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. The last thing she wants is a social worker, but when Ellen's and Jenny's lives collide, little do they know just how much they can help one another.

A powerful and emotionally charged tale about motherhood and justice,Little Mercies is a searing portrait of the tenuous grasp we have on the things we love the most, and of the ties that unexpectedly bring us together.

©2004 Heather Gudenkauf (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Compelling

Wife, mother, and child protective service Ellen Moore has saved countless children over the years. On one rushed morning, on her way to save two girls in danger, she accidentally locks her infant daughter, Avery, in a car. Avery's life hangs in the balance, as does Ellen's future. Ten-year-old Jenny Briard finds herself in a strange town after her father is arrested. Hoping to find the grandmother she's never met, Jenny's life will intersect with Ellen's in ways neither could have predicted.

Heather Gudenkauf has created another masterpiece. Her main characters are deeply complex, flawed, human beings who readers can't help but to champion. Gudenkauf has done a masterful job capturing the conflicts of a social worker charged with protecting vulnerable children, I know because I interned in such a position during grad school. The competence of Ellen's professional life is in such contrast to the moment of distraction that just might end in tragedy--a mistake easy to judge as "it could never happen to me" but LITTLE MERCIES shows us that yes, it very well could happen to any of us. Equally impressive, Gudenkauf captures the nuances of the defense mechanisms of a little girl trying not to end up back in foster care.
Gudenkauf if my favorite writer. I've read THESE THINGS HIDDEN close to ten times and I'm quite sure I'll reread and re-reread LITTLE MERCIES similarly. Told in Ellen's first person POV alternating with third person chapters centering on Jenny, the voices are at times lyrical, heartbreaking while also suspenseful with the need to keep reading to find out what happens next. I recommend this book to everyone and know you'll have as much pleasure as I did reading this gem. I rarely give 5 star reviews, but I'd give this 10 stars of I could.

ETA: Also listened to the audiobook.

great story. horrible performance.

the reader's performance drove me crazy. I developed an annoyance with the characters early on because they sounded weepy the entire time or when they weren't voice shakey and weepy, they sounded drunk. slurring ver voice and speach when they talked. I only stuck with it because of the story. this book would have been more enjoyable if I read it.

OMG This Was Good!

What did you love best about Little Mercies?

A CPS worker whose job it is to rescue children from abusive, neglectful homes, makes a mistake that will change her life forever and will force her to walk a mile in the shoes of the abusers she's rescued children from. The story is good from the beginning. I loved it!

amazing I loved it. It's like a roller coaster <3.

amazing love it it is like a roller coaster its really beutiful totally love it

Timely topic - erxcellently narrated.

Any additional comments?

This is a well-researched, believable story of the effects of abuse on a child, as well as the effects on an "accidental" child abuser and her family.Well worth reading!

Beautifully written

This was such a thought provoking story and certainly evoked a lot of emotion, loved this book

Performance was very whiny.

The narrator of the book goes through something difficult and her voice gets very whiny. Some of it is understandable, but it continues on for some time. Becomes grating to listen too, and was hard for me to finish listening to.

great story

one of her best so far! I always say as a parent, how can a parent forget their baby in a car.... but things happen. This was an excellent story that really depicted the guilt we all feel every day for the small and big things

Enjoyable book

The story was compelling. I liked the narrator for Ellen's character. The narrator for Jenny's character was not as good. I would read another book by this author.

Hits Home to Mothers

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ellen was by far my favorite character. I don't want to say too much because someone else's review actually ruined part of the book for me. I love her dedication as a mother and to her work, she was a completely selfless character which was refreshing for a change.

If you could take any character from Little Mercies out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Maudeen - Both of my grandmas are fantastic but I wish I could adopt her as my third. She seems like an individual from an older generation who could adjust to new ways and fits well into every scenario. She's not the grandma that embarrasses you, but someone you could have a meaningful conversation with. She is genuine and kind. If you were to meet her in real life she would have a smile and laugh that draws you in, her hair would be styled and perfectly in place, and she would have a sparkle in her eye.

Any additional comments?

The only reason I didn't give the performance five stars is because I found Jenny's character a little annoying and exhaustive at times - but also think that it was a fitting portrayal of someone in her situation.