For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain

by Victoria Mackenzie
For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £8.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1073
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781526647894
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2023-01-19
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 4

In the year 1413, Margery, a woman with visions of Christ that have alienated her from her family and endangered her life, meets Julian, an anchoress who has been confined to her cell for twenty-three years. Their meeting sparks a profound exchange of stories about girlhood, motherhood, sickness, loss, doubt, and belief, revealing revelations more powerful than the world is ready to hear. The novel sensitively explores the lives of these extraordinary women, offering a vivid and humane portrayal of their struggles and strengths. /n/n Sensual and meticulously researched, this debut novel cracks open history to expose the hidden lives of women, their courage, and their unyielding spirit in the face of adversity. The book has been widely praised for its intimate and epic portrayal of grief, trauma, and revelation.

Reviews
Rohan Maitzen's Blog · Rohan Maitzen · 2025-02-07
enjoyable 4.00

The book is praised for its poetic prose and witty humor, though the reviewer wishes it were longer. They appreciate the exploration of religious themes despite being an atheist.

Rohan Maitzen, an atheist, finds themselves deeply drawn to the stories of religious women depicted in the book. They are particularly impressed by the sheer poetry and sly humor that permeates the narrative. However, they feel the book is too short and could have benefited from more depth and exploration of the characters and their experiences.

Quick quotes

    I'm an atheist too but love stories of religious women and I loved this.

    Sheer poetry and sly humour but far too short.

    I had read 'Learwife' and was eager to see more of Victoria MacKenzie's work.

Sifa Elizabeth Reads · Sifa Elizabeth · 2024-06-26
fascinating 4.50

The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two women who experienced divine visions. It is commended for its historical accuracy and the way it intertwines faith and personal choices.

Sifa Elizabeth finds the book to be a captivating exploration of medieval mysticism, particularly the lives of two women who experienced visions of God. They appreciate the historical accuracy and the way the narrative weaves together themes of faith and personal choices. The reviewer is impressed by how the book manages to make these historical figures feel relatable and contemporary, despite the vast temporal distance. This makes the reading experience both educational and emotionally engaging.

Quick quotes

    This is a fascinating look at the lives of two women in the late 14th and early 15th centuries who experienced visions of God.

    It is about the choices we make, and how sometimes we need faith to stick by them.

    The book really grabs you and pulls you back in time in a great many ways.

MotherBooker Blog · 2023-09-25
engaging 4.00

The book is enjoyed for its historical depth and engaging narrative. It is noted for its ability to transport readers to the medieval period and its exploration of themes like grief and trauma.

The reviewer enjoys the book's historical depth and its ability to transport readers to the medieval period. They appreciate the exploration of themes like grief and trauma, which are handled with sensitivity and nuance. The narrative is engaging and well-paced, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes that the book would be a great discussion piece for book clubs or casual reading groups, as it offers rich material for reflection and conversation.

Quick quotes

    A modern exploration of medieval mysticism.

    The book really grabs you and pulls you back in time in a great many ways.

    I think it would be a tremendous discussion piece for a book club type event.

The Guardian · 2023-01-14
engrossing 4.00

The book is praised for its uncluttered style and historical authenticity, immersing readers in the lives of its characters. It is noted for its emotional depth and the way it avoids the pitfalls of overly detailed historical fiction.

The reviewer appreciates the book's spare and uncluttered style, which effectively brings the historical period to life without the clutter often found in historical fiction. They highlight the emotional resonance of the characters' experiences, particularly the way the book captures the essence of their lives without getting bogged down in extraneous details. This approach makes the narrative feel more intimate and poignant, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters' struggles and triumphs.

Quick quotes

    This is a spare, uncluttered book, free of the Wikipedia bric-a-brac that often clogs up historical fiction.

    You feel in every sentence the emotional depth of the characters' experiences.

    Any nagging sense of incompleteness is entirely apt, however.

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