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The Mercy Step

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The Mercy Step

By: Marcia Hutchinson
Narrated by: Marcia Hutchinson
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About this listen

Longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction

Named one of the best New Novelists for 2025 by The Observer.

Bradford, December 1962.

A precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world, torn from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb, to a chaotic household that seems to have no place for her. Her siblings do not understand her, her mother’s attention is given to the Church, and the entire family lives at the whims of her father’s quick temper.

Left to herself, Mercy finds solace in books, her imagination, and the quiet comfort of her faithful toy, Dolly. But escapism has its limits, and as the grip of family, faith and fear threatens to close in, Mercy learns she must act if she wants a different future; one where she is seen, heard, and her family set free.

The Mercy Step is a sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl’s quiet rebellion, and her refusal to be broken.

©2025 Marcia Hutchinson (P)2025 Recorded Books African American Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
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I loved everything about this book. The author as narrator made everything more vivid. The tone of the book offered humour despite an undertone of poverty and threat of violence. A brave story.

An authentic account of a neglected childhood

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Amazing read throughly enjoyed listening to it by the author. Related so much of it to my upbringing in an Asian community Coventry Hillfields. Beautiful and funny and touching at the same time.

Captivating

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Beautifully written and narrated.

I felt as though I was there with Mercy the whole time, experiencing every emotion and injustice.

Wonderful warm and witty at times, but also harrowing and very moving.

An excellent book that I highly recommend.

A brilliant story that will stay with me

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An accessible and enjoyable listen the writer/narrator does a great job. Women’s prize 26

Racism and the realistic journey of a young Black woman

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A wonderful book from start to finish.
Told through the eyes of a child reliving their childhood, your heart strings will definitely be felt throughout.

A heartfelt story

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