Small Mercies

A Novel

By: Eddie Joyce

Narrated by: Scott Aiello

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Audio

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)

Poignant Story and Tremendous Writing

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.

Good book if you can suffer through chapter 1

I thought of returning this book in the beginning because the story being told was so crass and superficial. I hung in and decided the story was interesting enough to continue. Unfortunately the author believe carnal communication was the most important determinant in terms of whether a relationship was worthwhile--also leaves the reader hanging in terms of the character Peter--what's up with that?

Loved it just as much the second time

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and narration. Again.I will recommend to family and friends. Again.

Couldn't stop listening!

I devoured this book, and now I'm sad that it's over. I miss the Amendola family already. This book is a beautifully drawn and realistic portrait of a family and its reaction to a great loss. At times I laughed, at others I cried. I highly recommend it, and I hope EddIe Joyce continues to produce novels. My best listen in quite some time.

A wonderful slice of middle class life on Staten Island.

Wonderful characterizations and spot on narration combine to make an outstanding listen. . I loved this book.

New York!

This story takes place in NYC. The person on audible speaks like the characters are from Boston! Ugh.

Hard to follow

I didn’t understand the story until the end. It was hard to understand the plot of this book.