My intent was not to read the this book. My original search was actually for an English version of Manner of Death, another book by the same author. Even though both books could be seen as a series, with Manner of Death being book 1, Spare Me Your Mercy was translated into English first. An English translation for Manner of Death is currently underway.
Spare Me Your Mercy is a well done translation and although there are places were the grammar and wording catch the reader’s eye, these instance did not slow me down or cause confusion. The novel also contains footnotes to explain Thai cultural events and phrases the reader may not be familiar with. This is a considerate touch that I really appreciate. All in all Spare Me Your Mercy was a much easier read than my first attempt at a translate Thai bl novel.
The novel discusses the “morally grey” topic of euthanasia and the shades of grey that can exist in each person. Although the topic and the ending left me distinctly uncomfortable, the novel was able to keep me engaged without effort. Spare Me Your Mercy simultaneously did and did not unfurl the way I expected it to. The police officer is righteous but turns a blind eye, the doctor is open but secretive, the book is a bl novel but the character’s sexuality is secondary to the plot. I am definitely looking forward to the English translation of Manner of Death. Hopefully, it will be released soon as the bl series the book was turned into is on its last few episodes.
