A Mercy is a beautifully written account of America in the 17th century. It follows the tragedy of the Vaardak family, starting with Jacob Vaardak's decision to engage in slave trade. Along the way, we learn about the trauma women experienced as a result of enslavement and patriarchy, the resilience and imagination that sustains them and the survival methods they develop. This is a powerful, postmodernist take on a critical time in American history.