
Small Mercies
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Scott Aiello
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By:
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Eddie Joyce
A startling and tender portrait of one family’s struggle to make peace with their son’s death.
An ingeniously layered narrative, told over the course of one week, Eddie Joyce’s debut novel masterfully depicts an Italian-Irish American family on Staten Island and their complicated emotional history. Ten years after the loss of Bobby - the Amendola family’s youngest son - everyone is still struggling to recover from the firefighter’s unexpected death. Bobby’s mother, Gail; his widow, Tina; his older brothers Peter, the corporate lawyer, and Franky, the misfit; and his father, Michael, have all dealt with their grief in different ways. But as the family gathers together for Bobby Jr.’s birthday party, they must each find a way to accept a new man in Tina’s life while reconciling their feelings for their lost loved one.
In unflinching but lyrical prose, Joyce shows us one mother’s struggle to keep her family together and preserve the memory of her son. Following Gail as she moves from the corner offices of white-shoe Manhattan law firms to the blue-collar gin mills of the outer boroughs, Small Mercies reveals a different New York, one that exists in the hearts and minds of its inhabitants.
Presented through multiple points of view, Small Mercies explores the conflicts and deep attachments that exist within families. Heart-wrenching and profoundly relatable, Joyce’s debut is a love letter to Staten Island and a deeply affecting portrait of an American family.
©2015 Eddie Joyce (P)2015 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“An intimate family portrait.” (The New York Times)
“[A] terrific debut novel...Joyce layers...different characters’ perspectives nimbly and skillfully, infusing his portrait of a messy, complicated, loving family with heartfelt emotion.” (Sara Vilkomerson, Entertainment Weekly, A-)
“An inside look at one Staten Island family’s struggle with grief...[A] poignant, deeply affecting tale.” (Martha Stewart Living, a Book Club selection)
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Where does Small Mercies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Small Mercies is one of the top few books I've listened to on Audible and one of the first about which I've been moved to write a review. The ability of the author to pull you into the day to day family life of the Amendolas is really special.What other book might you compare Small Mercies to and why?
The Art of Fielding comes to mind for two reasons. First, there is a backdrop of sports, but it definitely isn't a sports novel. Second, it is character driven and you really get to know the people in the book.Which scene was your favorite?
There is an early scene in the book where older brother Peter is being informed that he's being "worked out" of his law firm's partnership. The scene is so realistic in terms of the characters present, the thoughts in Peter's mind and the conversation.Any additional comments?
I'd encourage you to take a trip with the Amendolas and get to know them. It's a lovely journey.Poignant Story and Tremendous Writing
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Good book if you can suffer through chapter 1
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Loved it just as much the second time
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New York!
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Hard to follow
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Couldn't stop listening!
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A wonderful slice of middle class life on Staten Island.
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