Sacred Hunger, part 2

"The Quality of Mercy" is the sequel to Barry Unsworths novel "Sacred Hunger". The survivors of the crew of the "Liverpool Merchant 'wait in the prison of Newgate awaiting trial for mutiny and piracy. Only Michael Sullivan, the violinist can flee. He makes his way in the mining village of Thorpe to tell his friend Billy Blair family, as he died. But Thorpe is also the aim of Erasmus Kemp, of the man who followed the crew of the "Liverpool Merchant" mercilessly halfway around the world - he has leased the coal mine by the local nobles and want to get an idea of ​​the situation on the ground ...

Barry Unsworth has not only the gift to give a genuine historical eras to life and to tell good stories, behind which hide larger truths. It can also create more than any other with a few telling words wonderful, complex characters, you will not forget so quickly. Accordingly, I was pleased to hear a reunion with the protagonists of "Sacred Hunger". It is not absolutely necessary, but recommended that I have read the previous novel, since Unsworth no longer tells the history in detail. In addition, you are then already familiar with the characters and takes correspondingly larger share of their further fate.

"The Quality of Mercy" tells of a promise that was given to a friend, an oath of vengeance, the dream of a miner from a piece of land and different conceptions of justice. Those of Kemp and the Abolitionists Ashton example diametrically opposed, and yet its principles have one thing in common: They are so mercilessly persecuted and fanatical, that in the struggle for "higher goals" individual destinies no longer count. The various storylines - Sullivan's journey, the life of the miners, the trial of the crew and Kemp's love for Ashton's sister - are brought together at the end. Disappointed me only the very last page of the novel. The view, the fact is there Unsworth, strangely abrupt, impersonal, ambivalent and does not do justice to the complex character of the novel. It almost seems as if the author had not known how to stop, and has a set in itself wonderful book therefore a rather sudden end, which left me unsatisfied. Therefore, and because my "Sacred Hunger" has even better liked, I forgive only 4 stars. Nevertheless, "The Quality of Mercy" a great book that I all those who want to "Sacred Hunger", can recommend.