In this month’s Write Club book club episode, Mary and Beth dive into The Mercy Step, the debut novel from Marcia Hutchinson. Featured in the September issue of Writing Magazine, this beautifully written work of autofiction draws on Hutchinson’s own experiences, following the life of Mercy, a young girl growing up in 1960s Bradford in a household marked by violence, neglect, and silence.

Through vivid imagery, emotional depth, and moments of sharp humour, Hutchinson captures both the resilience and vulnerability of a child navigating a world where safety is never guaranteed. We discuss the book’s central themes of survival, identity, and hope, explore Hutchinson’s writing style, and reflect on the scenes that stayed with us long after reading.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe