In her latest book, Amy Jo Burns weaves an intricate tapestry of love, loss, and redemption through the lives of the Joseph family in Mercury, Pennsylvania. Building on the strengths shown in her debut memoir Cinderland and first novel Shiner, Burns demonstrates her growing mastery of complex character dynamics and atmospheric storytelling.
The story begins in 1990 when seventeen-year-old Marley West arrives in Mercury, immediately drawn into the orbit of the Joseph brothers—Baylor, Waylon, and Shay. What follows is a deeply moving exploration of family loyalty, the weight of secrets, and the transformative power of choosing to stay when everything pushes you to leave.
Narrative Structure & Storytelling
Burns employs a sophisticated narrative structure that shifts between multiple perspectives and timelines, anchored primarily through Marley’s journey from outsider to the heart of the Joseph family. The author’s decision to move between past and present enhances rather than complicates the storytelling, allowing readers to understand the deep-rooted nature of the family’s dynamics.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in Burns’ ability to maintain tension throughout the story. The discovery of a body in the church attic serves as both literal and metaphorical catalyst, forcing long-buried secrets to surface. This plot device could have felt contrived in less skilled hands, but Burns uses it masterfully to explore the complex web of relationships and loyalties that define the Joseph family.
Character Development
The Joseph Brothers
- Baylor: The eldest, complex and brooding, wrestling with his role as firstborn
- Waylon: The responsible middle child, torn between family duty and personal happiness
- Shay: The youngest, carrying the weight of being everyone’s favorite while hiding his own truth
Each brother is distinctly drawn, their personalities shaped by their position in the family hierarchy and their relationships with their parents. Burns excels at showing how their individual struggles mirror and contrast with each other.
Marley
The protagonist’s evolution from a lonely seventeen-year-old to a woman who becomes the family’s backbone is beautifully rendered. Her journey feels authentic, with Burns carefully avoiding the trap of making her either a savior or a victim.
Themes & Symbolism
The novel masterfully explores several interconnected themes:
- Family Legacy: The weight of inheritance, both literal and emotional
- Secrets: The power they hold and the cost of keeping them
- Choice: The tension between staying and leaving
- Identity: How we define ourselves within and outside family structures
The roofing business serves as both literal livelihood and powerful metaphor – protection, stability, and the constant threat of falling. Burns uses this imagery effectively throughout the novel without becoming heavy-handed.
Writing Style & Prose
Burns’ prose is both lyrical and grounded, perfectly suited to the story’s blue-collar setting and emotional depth. She has a particular talent for depicting the physical world of roofing work alongside the interior landscapes of her characters:
“The air around him felt thick, like honey and longing.“
Such moments of poetic observation are balanced with straightforward dialogue and action, creating a rhythm that keeps readers engaged while allowing space for reflection.
Critical Analysis
While the novel largely succeeds in its ambitious scope, there are moments where the multiple storylines threaten to overwhelm the narrative. The resolution of certain plot threads – particularly those involving peripheral characters – feels slightly rushed compared to the careful development of the main story.
Additionally, some readers might find the pacing in the middle section somewhat uneven, though this is a minor critique in an otherwise well-structured novel.
Impact & Resonance
Mercury by Amy Jo Burns stands out for its authentic portrayal of working-class life and family dynamics. Burns avoids both romanticism and cynicism in her depiction of small-town Pennsylvania, creating instead a vivid and truthful portrait of a community and the people who inhabit it.
The novel’s exploration of how families handle crisis and change feels particularly relevant in today’s world. Burns shows both the strength and fragility of family bonds, and how love can survive even when trust is broken.
Comparison & Context
Fans of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge or Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth will find similar themes of family complexity in Mercury, though Amy Jo Burns brings her own distinct voice and working-class perspective to the genre. The novel also shares DNA with works like Richard Russo’s Bridge of Sighs in its exploration of small-town American life.
Final Verdict
Mercury is a compelling and accomplished novel that confirms Amy Jo Burns’ place as a significant voice in contemporary American fiction. Despite minor flaws, it succeeds brilliantly in its ambitious goals, offering readers a rich and rewarding experience.
Strengths:
- Complex, well-developed characters
- Rich thematic depth
- Strong sense of place
- Beautiful prose
- Authentic emotional resonance
Areas for Improvement:
- Occasional pacing issues
- Some subplot resolutions feel rushed
- Secondary character development could be stronger
Mercury is highly recommended for readers who appreciate family sagas with depth and complexity, and for anyone interested in expertly crafted literary fiction that explores the intersections of family, loyalty, and identity.
For those who enjoyed Burns’ previous works, Mercury represents a significant evolution in her storytelling abilities while maintaining the emotional authenticity that marked her earlier writing. This novel firmly establishes her as an author to watch in contemporary American literature.