Join us for an evening with Marcia Hutchinson, discussing her semi-autobiographical debut novel ‘The Mercy Step’.
Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2026.
A precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world, torn from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb, to a chaotic household that seems to have no place for her.
Her mother’s attention is given to the Church, and the entire family lives at the whims of her father’s quick temper.
Mercy finds solace in books, her imagination, and the quiet comfort of her faithful toy, Dolly. But escapism has its limits, and as the grip of family, faith and fear threatens to close in, Mercy learns she must act if she wants a different future.
This event is part of Right to Read, a New Writing North programme of events across the North East to celebrate the National Year of Reading in 2026. Visit www.newwritingnorth.com/righttoread to find out more.
Doors and bar open 19.00, speaker from 19.30