For Seller

By: Cyndy Zoch

To Love Mercy
By Frank S. Joseph
Mid-Atlantic Highlands Publishing (2006)

Reviewed by Cyndy Zoch for Reader Views (4/06)

"To Love Mercy" is an amazing story of race and religion set in late "˜40s
Chicago. Mr. Joseph weaves a memorable tale of two young boys and
what happens when their paths cross one fateful evening.

Sass, an 11 year old black boy, and Steve, a ten-year-old white boy, live
only a few city blocks from each other. Their two lives are worlds apart
until circumstances bring them together late one evening in a parking lot
after a White Sox game. The confrontation that results causes one to be
injured and the other to feel a sense of responsibility for the injuries. The
boys spend an adventure-filled day together. Meanwhile, back at home
their two families, brought together by a black woman who happens to
know both boys, fight because of their prejudices and misconceptions.

The boys begin their day naively unaware of the differences between
themselves, but are challenged and ridiculed every where they go for
being "friends". Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long before the boys are
affected by the words being spoken around them. They struggle with
their need to fit in with society and their genuine feelings for each other.
Each family professes strong religious beliefs; one family is Pentecostal
and the other Jewish. Each claims "To Love Mercy", but when presented
with a situation to demonstrate that belief, each fails miserably. Ironically,
it is the attitude of their families that bring the two boys back together
again.

Mr. Joseph’s novel is a joy to read. The book is written primarily from
the viewpoint of one of the two boys. Their conversations are quite
believable and extremely entertaining. The boys, not knowing how to be
"politically correct", speak their minds freely, questioning events and
circumstances, yet neither one takes offense at the other. When Steve
sees Sass’ home for the first time, he exclaims "Jeez. It’s so small." Sass
responds, "What you mean small? We got a bedroom ain’t we?"

The side story of the black maid, a friend to both of the boys, and her
son provides a sobering insight into what life was like in the south during
the early twentieth century for black people.

You need not have grown up in the "˜40s to enjoy this book. This realistic
story contains a riveting storyline, excellent dialog and enough excitement
to keep you turning the pages. That Mr. Joseph stayed true to history is
evident from the wonderful quotes he includes at the end of the book.
These quotes were obtained from excerpts of historical tapes and
transcripts, and real interviews conducted by the author with people who
actually lived in the Bronzeville area of Chicago during the 1940s and
1950s.

Buy this book and encourage your friends to buy it too. It makes an
excellent selection for any book club or discussion group. I guarantee that
you will find plenty to talk about!

Cyndy Zoch is a Reviewer for Reader Views.
http://www.readerviews.com