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 4.17
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1073
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-09-25
  • ISBN: 9781526647894
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2023-01-19
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99

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 spent twenty-three years confined to her cell. Their meeting in Norwich becomes a profound exchange of stories about girlhood, motherhood, sickness, loss, doubt, and belief. Both women have revelations more powerful than the world is ready to hear, and their encounter will change everything. Sensual, vivid, and humane, the novel cracks history open to reveal the lives of two extraordinary women, exploring themes of grief, trauma, and the hidden lives of women. The book has been widely praised for its intimate and epic portrayal of female courage and has won several awards, including the Scottish Book Awards - First Book of the Year.

Reviews
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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