New Mercies

by Sandra Dallas

Natchez, Mississippi, in 1933 is a place suspended in time. The silver and china is still dented and cracked from Yankee invaders. And the houses have names...and memories. Nora Bondurant is running away--from her husband's death, from his secrets, and from the ghosts that dog her every step. When she receives a telegram informing her that she has an inheritance, Nora suddenly has somewhere to run a house named Avoca in Natchez, Mississippi. Now, she’s learning that the lure of Natchez runs deep, and that, along with Avoca, she’s inherited a mystery. Nora's aunt Amalia Bondurant was killed in a murder/suicide, and the locals are saying nothing more--except in hushed, honeyed tones. As Nora becomes more and more enmeshed in the community and in her family’s history, she learns surprising things about the life and death of her kinship isn't always what it seems, loyalty can be as fierce as blood relations, and every day we are given new mercies to heal the pain of loss and love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Southern, Adult Fiction, Book Club, Historical

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.

A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.

While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.

Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.

The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/sandra...

Reviews

[☕Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really torn between three and four stars for this one, so I guess I'm giving it 3.5. I found myself very wrapped up in the story and anxious to continue reading yet at the same time I recognize that it was at times predictable and not quite of four-star status. Definitely an enjoyable, easy read for me and a nice break from the "heavier" books I often gravitate towards.

[Jillaire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always enjoy Sandra Dallas and did enjoy this one, but it wasn't my favorite. This one was set in the South, but included the signature Colorado element by transplanting a Denver girl there. I just didn't feel like all of the characters were as well developed and therefore as likable and sympathetic as those in her other novels. I also felt like the ending was wrapped up too quickly. There was a secret being guarded for the whole book and then suddenly because one character said it was okay to go ahead and tell, the other character did. It felt abrupt. Overall, I was pleased with the storyline, and the epilogue left me satisfied, I just didn't find the storytelling to be up to Dallas' usual par.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't awful; there was just nothing about this book that I found remarkable or particularly engaging. The story line could have been interesting, had more life been breathed into it. The author very clearly presented two mysteries near the beginning of the book (why was Aunt Amalia murdered? And how did Nora's husband die?). But he characters were not interesting enough to draw me in or to make me care about the answers. (Plus, the answer to the first questions seemed pretty obvious to me before I even reached the middle of the book.) In short, just nothing to rave about here.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book and Mudbound at the same time. After finishing Mudbound, with its incredibly sad desperate ending, I hesitated finishing New Mercies. Both stories take place in the 1930/40s and are Southern historical fiction involving African Americans working for white property owners. But as I continued with New Mercies, it became more endearing, hopeful and the ending was so satisfying. Really enjoyed this audiobook.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Sandra Dallas' "Tallgrass" with my reading group, really liked it, and determined to read more of her books. 'New Mercies' is the second of her books that I've read. I enjoyed that it was set in Natchez, Mississippi - a place that I knew little about prior to some reading that I've done in recent years. I've learned that Natchez was a great economic center before the Civil War, and that there are many historic mansions in the town. Another interesting facet of 'New Mercies' is that it is set in the 1930's, a time period that is less commonly covered in historic fiction. Although I think I probably liked 'Tallgrass' better than 'New Mercies', I would still recommend 'Mercies' to my Goodreads friends. Besides the interesting setting, the characters of Nora, Aunt Polly, Ezra, Pickett Long, Mr. Satterfield and Holland Brown are engaging. (I didn't like Magdalene Lott and Odalie, but, I don't think the reader is supposed to :0) Sandra Dallas weaves a good tale, with the process of discovery throughout the book, both of Miss Amalia's story, and of Nora's own recent history of love and loss. Nora's journey to her family's roots in Natchez helps her to see that, for the healing of our hurts, we are always shown new mercies.

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed Sandra Dallas’s books. Although here, with “New Mercies” it took me practically getting to the middle of the book before I started to get interested in the story and charmed by the characters. First off, it was very difficult to visualize the 1930ies era – I really didn't feel it from the pages – and I needed to constantly remind myself – okay this 1933 so see the clothes, the cars, the furniture. It was sort of challenging.
As for the story, I enjoyed it because it felt very authentic. There were no embellishments. I absolutely liked Nora Bondurant. She not only has to deal with divorce (in 1933) and the recent death of her ex-husband, but now she's suddenly confronted with inheriting a Southern mansion and discovering she has family in Natchez, MI.
What was great about that era, was their sense of discretion. For some things, I think it's still advised to be discreet about family matters. Not always, though.
Overall this was an interesting read with mystery elements and endearing characters - ***3,5 ***

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in Natchez, Mississippi, in the 1930's, and contains plenty of Southern culture and dialogue, i.e., (spoken by a colored ex-slave) "I guess I've been in Hell's kitchen and licked the spoon." And another: "It's just narrow-hearted littleness."

Spoken by the town Sheriff: "We train our women to be charming. Miss Amalie couldn't hardly teach or operate the typewriter....We treasure our womenfolk in the South, but there ain't no market for 'em."

The "new mercies" refer to God's gifts to man, which are new every day. And because Sandra Dallas always works quilts and quilting into her stories, that added to the enjoyment for me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book - great setting and outstanding characters. It is rare to find an author, especially one who is not a southerner, to "get it right". It is also rare is to find one who does make fun and dismiss southerners as fools. Sandra Dallas did an outstanding job capturing subtleties and describing characters fairly. Enjoyable book for all the right reasons - great read.

[Lin S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of the South, circa 1933. I enjoyed every page of this book. Especially the family secrets!

[SueChor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, which has a wonderful atmospheric c.1933 Natchez Southern charm, seen through the eyes of an independent Denver character, Nora Bondurant. She arrives to sort her aunt’s estate, a relative unknown to her until she receives the telegram. Her backstory, and the guilt and sadness she carries, add to the weaving of the tale. Another main enjoyment is the locale, along with colorful local expressions, and frequent observations of Southern culture and values, up to and including slavery and miscegenation. Pragmatic and romantic at the same time, great combination in Nora’s search to discover the truth about her heritage. Looking forward to more by this author.

[Clara Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good - one of my favorites by Sandra Dallas. I love when the ancestry of one of her books connects to another, as it often does. I really I love whenever she adds some mystery themes, and this one did not disappoint.

[CHM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread, something I rarely ever do.
Read several years ago and enjoyed it as much this time as I did previously.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have become a devoted Sandra Dallas fan. Some themes continuously run through her books, some of them I find refreshing and enjoyable (small niblets of faith). Others I find tiresome when they keep popping up in each story (somehow the main character is always drawn to quilting or something....fine for a quilting story, but annoying when it keeps popping up in all of her stories!).

Although I loved this story and I appreciated some of the real, raw heartache that I experienced with the characters, I found myself confused after finishing the book. It seemed like there were too many loose ends and too many questions. Maybe that is more true to real-life, but let's be honest...sometimes at the end of the novel, you just want the author to answer those questions and solve those mysteries!

I think that this novel had my favorite Sandra Dallas characters thus far, but the story itself was not my favorite.

[Lynne Pennington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally love Sandra Dallas books, but for some reason, this one fell flat with me. I could not get into the characters or the Deep South setting, and I found the tangled family connections confusing (as in, was this an aunt or a great-aunt?) I put it down once and decided to try again later and felt the same when I tried it a second time. I am not saying it isn't a good book---it just wasn't a good book for me. For those used to Dallas' books that take place in the Rockies and the High Plains, this is a departure that I just did not care for. Others seem to like it though, so if the reader is a Dallas fan, try it and judge for yourself.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant, easy read. Set in Natchez, Mississippi in the 1930s, I felt the culture of the area and the time period as I read about the various characters of the town.
Nora, the protagonist lives in Colorado. Her father died when she was young and she and her mother really know very little about his past and his family. Nora has recently divorced when she leans she has inherited a southern home from an aunt she had no knowledge of. In Natchez Nora learns about her fathers past and his family as she works through her feelings and the pain of her failed marriage.
This is a story of family secrets and new mercies intertwined with a bit of a mystery.

[Barb Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some Sandra Dallas. Nora finds out she is the heir to a murdered woman she has never met. Set in the south during the 1930s, this is a novel about family secrets and old secrets that aren't as secret as some might believe. Who is this murdered woman? Who is she to Nora? Why was Nora's father all but disowned by his family? As always, a Sandra Dallas novel is as comfortable as an old quilt.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tale involving a young divorcee who discovers relatives she never knew existed when she is willed a southern mansion in 1933. The word miscegenation was added to my vocabulary. The side story of this woman's divorce added an interesting twist, especially considering the time frame of the book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had a lot of the literary elements that I like - not one but two time period plot lines, a murder mystery and a love story. I enjoyed imagining Natchez, Mississippi in the 1930’s and in the 1800’s. Although this book wasn’t life changing for me, it was a nice escape and kept me coming back til the end. It’s more of a 3.5 than a 4.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this because I've been to Natchez so many times, and been to many of the places in the book. I've heard the story of Goat Castle and the murders, on which this book is based. The characters were wonderful, there was enough mystery to keep me waiting, and things resolved just like I wanted them to. Lots of nice twists and turns. I really really liked this book.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book set in the 1930's, the Old South, Natchez plantation homes...should LOVE this book! A bit slow, the book never seems to pick up the pace.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed because I have read other books by this author that were much better

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was boring and I ended up skimming a lot to find out what happened at the end. Not much of a mystery.

[Marnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this much slower than her other books.

[Linda Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how to explain it, but this book made me feel good. Peace, kindness, family, love, Southern.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Bondurant has been summoned to Natchez, Mississippi from her hometown of Denver, Colorado as the sole inheritor of an Aunt's estate. An Aunt she never knew existed until she heard of her death. Nora's father died when she was very young and she never was introduced to his side of the family. Not only was she unaware of Aunt Amalia Bondurant but her untimely death was quite a shock as it was a murder/suicide. Arriving in Mississippi proves to be quite a shock - culturally more than anything else. Nora doesn't see black people the way they are seen in the South and has a hard time understanding the attitudes and behaviors of Southern white folks. As she begins to learn more about her Aunt Amalia and understand what inheriting her estate means, Nora finds healing from her past in Denver and hope for a future, perhaps in Natchez, Mississippi of all places.

This title took me a while to get into, it started slow for me, but once I got into a groove with it I was hooked. By having her main character come from the Midwest to the deep South in the early 1930s she explores racism. She also tackles the topic of divorce which wasn't common then. Nora is a very independent, free-thinking woman and at times I wondered if Dallas' portrayal of a woman in the 1930s was accurate. It felt like there were some very modern practices and thoughts incorporated for the period Dallas was writing in. However, she is an accomplished and seasoned author so I am sure she did her research and I just don't realize how long some things like writing personal checks have been in existence (for example.) :) I really like Dallas, she weaves simple but solid stories with relatable characters.

[Becky Haase · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEW MERCIES by Sandra Dallas
Dallas is a master of the slowly unfolding plot and this book is one of the best. The Civil War is long over but the Great Depression is still affecting people’s lives when Nora, the daughter of two socially prominent Denver families, inherits a Southern mansion from an hitherto unknown relative. Stilling from a divorce and then the death of her former husband, Nora escapes to Natchez, Mississippi.
Nora discovers that her aunt had secrets just as Nora herself has secrets. Avoca, now her mansion, comes complete with retainers, secrets, a herd of goats, and a murder. Natchez is a major player in this family drama. Its citizens - family retainers in the form of two former slaves - a family lawyer who knows more than he lets on - as well as friends (and enemies) of her aunt abound. You will laugh at the foibles of various characters, be shocked at the secrets as they are slowly revealed and be heartened by the writing of a master story teller.
Lots to love and discuss here.
5 of 5 stars Note: if you are easily offended by non-PC language and situations, you have been warned.

[Kld2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the “Persian Pickle Club” by Sandra Dallas. She has a unique writing style that I love but “New Mercies” was a bit slow for me. I felt no empathy for Nora, the main character, and could never really figure her out. She is very benign person with little passion and quite unremarkable. That being said, there are other characters in the book that are intriguing enough that you want to keep reading to figure out what they are hiding. There is quite the mystery to solve and it isn’t revealed until the last few pages. It is a clean read, with no swearing, graphic sexual scenes or graphic violence however there are some adult themes (domestic abuse, homosexuality) that might be unsettling for sensitive readers. Because of the many themes in the book (slavery, the south, marriage relationships) it would make for an interesting book club discussion.

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Sandra Dallas’ New Mercies, Nora Bondurant receives a notice to come down to Natchez, Mississippi from Denver to settle her aunt’s estate. She is awed by the ways, dialect and movements of the Southern people. The year is 1933 and many of the old moneyed-families are still trying to maintain their former lifestyles while living in rotting mansions.

This is a story within a story, for as she unearths many family secrets, she slowly walks the reader through the events that led up to the ending of her 10-year marriage to David, back in Denver. It is a shocker, quite like the things she is finding out about her Aunt Amalia and her untimely death. Will the Southern ways send her packing or will she become endeared to them and stick around? Read and see!

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora is running away from her ex husbands death and his secrets when she receives news that she has an inheritance of a home in Natchez Mississippi from an Aunt she never knew existed. Nora finds things very different in the South and she finds out that her aunt was actually murdered. When Nora arrives in this small town and goes to find the house she sees it is a very run down old property. Nora gets involved with members of the community and learns that two former slaves live on the property as caretakers. Nora knows nothing of this Aunt who reportedly is the sister of her deceased father. Nora uncovers some shocking things about the family's past.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Sandra Dallas' writing, and this one was written really well too. I wish there were more ties to the tender mercies of the Lord. That being said, this author has a way with story telling that evokes all the emotions, and then leads to a greater fulfillment in the end. This story wasn't my favorite of hers, but the writing was good, and the story deep, so I opted for a 4 rather than a 3 star review.
Clean rating: PG-13. There was a lot of focus on sexual preference and behaviors, though I didn't think it was too strong or detailed. I wouldn't recommend it to teens or kids, for sure, but I don't feel like it's too much for an adult.