This is a book about the bubonic plague. As I delved into it, I braced myself for the expected bleakness. I compartmentalized my anticipated emotions, stashing them away in the corner of my heart reserved for my love-hate relationship with the New York Mets.

I was well aware that this book would likely be a never-ending torrent of despair, death, exploitation, inhumanity, and suffering. And boy, was I right. The town where the story takes place, based on the real Eyam, seems to have been a breeding ground for all the worst aspects of humanity during the plague.

The author piles on the misery with a vengeance. We witness the lynching of the Gowdies, who are wrongly accused of being witches. This not only robs the village of its valuable herblore but also forces Elinor and Anna to fend for themselves.

There's drug abuse, child abuse, and even a crude form of crucifixion. Anna's stepmother goes crazy with grief, and the list of horrors just keeps on coming.

While the writing and descriptions are sharp and well-crafted, the constant barrage of terrible events left me feeling numb. By the end of the book, I was so desensitized that I could hardly muster any emotional response.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a deeply depressing and disturbing read about the bubonic plague, this book might be for you. But be prepared to wade through a sea of corpses and despair.

I would have given this a higher rating if not for the strange ending.

The story had so much potential, with interesting characters and a captivating plot that kept me engaged from the start. The author did a great job of building up the tension and creating a sense of mystery.

However, when it came to the ending, it felt rushed and disjointed. It seemed as if the author had run out of ideas or time and simply tacked on a conclusion that didn't quite fit.

This was a real disappointment, as it detracted from what could have been a truly excellent piece of work. Despite this, I still think the author has talent and I look forward to seeing what they come up with in the future.

With a bit more polish and a stronger ending, their next story could be a real winner.

Set in the year 1666, "Year of Wonders" presents the story of Anna Frith, a twice-widowed woman whose life is completely upended when the plague ravages her village.

Ordered into quarantine, the villagers experience a crisis of faith, a resurgence of mysticism, and the growth of malevolence. In the midst of this chaos, Frith's sole focus is on survival.

However, despite being inspired by real events, Geraldine Brooks' novel has certain shortcomings. While themes such as faith, death, and despair are vividly described, there is a lack of in-depth analytical discussions through the characters.

Furthermore, Frith's character development is somewhat lacking, considering the many traumatizing events she endures throughout the narrative.

In contrast, "The Plague" by Albert Camus is a superior work that delves deeper into the human condition during a time of crisis.

In 1666, a tragic event unfolded in the rural village of Eyam in England. Several of its residents unfortunately contracted the dreaded plague. Under the inspiring leadership of their charismatic minister, they made a remarkable decision - to self-quarantine. Their aim was to prevent the further spread of this deadly disease.

Author Geraldine Brooks became deeply intrigued by this captivating story. She discovered that one of the survivors was the minister's servant. From this perspective, she crafted a fictionalized account of the quarantine year.

The first 250 pages of the book are truly remarkable. They vividly capture the essence of that difficult period and offer a moving portrayal of people in the midst of a crisis. It chronicles the wide range of human responses, from acts of nobility to the chaos of mob hysteria. However, in the last 50 pages, the author takes an unexpected turn. The book ends in an improbable and rather melodramatic fashion. This was a real disappointment, especially considering the great promise that the story held from the beginning.

Overall, while the first part of the book is engaging and powerful, the conclusion leaves something to be desired.

Historical fiction often has the power to transport us to another time and place, and this particular story about an isolated English village during the bubonic plague outbreak in 1665-1666 is no exception. The protagonist, Anna Frith, a widow with two small children, works as a maid for the rector and his wife. Despite being poor and uneducated, she is smart and kind, with a passion for learning that leads to a close friendship with the rector's wife.

Many villagers in this time believed that the plague was the wrath of God, which led to some turning to superstitions such as punishing "witches" and wearing talismans. The rector, being religiously zealous, attempts to guide the village in containing the deadly disease. The writing in this novel is lyrical, painting a vivid picture of what life may have been like during those difficult times. It covers a wide range of topics, including primitive medical practices, religious views, class status, and the plight of women in a restrictive society.

The first three-fourths of the novel are very well crafted, with a compelling storyline that keeps the reader engaged. However, towards the end, the storyline does go a bit far afield, but it serves as a much-needed break from the numerous tragedies that have come before. Overall, the book shows how adversity can bring out both the best and worst of human nature, and how fear can lead to mistrust and mistreatment of others. Even though this epidemic occurred hundreds of years ago, the message it conveys remains relevant and valid today.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is an absolute masterpiece.

The level of realism in this novel is simply astonishing. As I delved into its pages, I was completely transported back to the year 1666, right in the midst of the plague.

The characters are so well-developed that they seem to leap off the page. Each one has their own unique personality, motives, and flaws, making them feel like real people.

The multiple situations that arise throughout the story are not only similar to what would have happened during that time but are written with such perfection that it's almost as if I'm reading a diary.

Brooks has an incredible talent for bringing history to life. She weaves a tale that is both captivating and educational, allowing readers to experience the horrors and the hopes of that tumultuous era.

Overall, Year of Wonders is an amazing book that I would highly recommend to anyone. Well done, Geraldine Brooks!

I am well aware that this particular book is grounded in the history of a tiny English village that chose to quarantine itself during the devastating Great Plague. Regrettably, I firmly believe that it fails to do justice to the sacrifices endured by those brave villagers.

The message of courage and hope, along with the quest for meaning in the midst of profound suffering that is suggested by the title "Year of Wonders," is largely overshadowed, if not entirely lost.

Certainly, my perspective might seem overly severe. I had the opportunity to read "The Plague" by Albert Camus earlier this year, and I simply cannot help but draw comparisons between the two, despite the fact that it may be unfair. One is a work of historical fiction, while the other delves into the realm of philosophy.

However, when it comes to studies aimed at understanding human nature, one is undeniably superior. And I discovered that I was unable to find enjoyment in Ms. Brooks' interpretation.

Rarely has a book had such a profound impact on me, first captivating my attention and then leaving me utterly disappointed with a complete 180-degree turn into what I can only describe as utter "dreckage". "Year of Wonders" unfortunately managed to achieve this feat.

To review this book, I feel compelled to break it up by pages so that you can understand where the story went wrong for me and why I'm so frustrated that I could almost cry.

REVIEW FOR PAGES 1 - 255
Rating: 5 stars (If Goodreads had a 10-star option, I would have given it that. Since 5 stars means "it was amazing", then 5 stars it is.)

"Year of Wonders: Pages 1 - 255" is a beautiful and incredibly moving fictional account of a real event that took place in Eyam, Derbyshire, England in 1665 - 1666. Today, road signs point the way to "Plague Village", giving you an idea of where this story is headed.

The villagers of Eyam were at the epicenter of a bubonic plague outbreak that was apparently introduced to the remote village via flea-infested bolts of cloth. Estimates suggest the population in 1665 was around 380 villagers, but by the fall of 1666, only about 120 remained. While people in London and other parts of England were hastily fleeing the areas of plague infection, the villagers of Eyam, under the strong leadership of their pastor Michael Mompellion, decided to stay put, self-quarantine, and ride out the storm. They saw it as a test of their faith and trust in God, believing they would be blessed once the plague passed.

Author Geraldine Brooks tells this story through the eyes of Anna, a young widow with two small children to support. Anna's role in helping Michael Mompellion and his high-born wife Elinor highlights the best and worst of human nature during a crisis. Brooks masterfully weaves a highly readable tale of immense pain, degradation, fear, and ultimately faith. I was shocked later, when I googled Eyam, to discover that many of the incidences in the book were true. It shows that human beings have the capacity for both extreme nobility and extreme barbarism.

If Brooks had ended the story of the plague village at page 255, I would have happily placed this wonderful book on my crowded bookshelf and marked it as a "favorite" on Goodreads. Alas, the book is 304 pages long, leading us to the next part of this review:

BOOK REVIEW FOR PAGE 256 - 304
Rating 1 star (The word "aaaarrrggghhh" best sums up my feelings for these final 50 pages.)

"Year of Wonders: Page 256 - 304" must be read in conjunction with the first 255 pages to be fully understood. It is an epic fail of epic proportions. It is so filled with schlocky, hokey, and trite plot elements that I can hardly believe it was written by the same author as the first part of the book that I loved. How is this possible? Did Brooks suddenly lose her touch and hand the pen over to a Harlequin romance writer? (Please, no angry posts from Harlequin fans. I enjoy Harlequins in moderation, but there is a difference in quality between the two writing styles.)

What Brooks did so perfectly in pages 1 - 255, she completely destroyed in pages 256 - 304. Was she trying to create her own mini-plague by killing off all the good, noble, and faithful ideas her story had fostered? What happened to plot continuity and the characters? I am so confused by the ending that I don't even know what to say, except that I'M PISSED, PISSED, PISSED and I know I need to calm down and have some herbal tea.

...back from my herbal tea break:

OK, so now I've reached the end of my rambling, perhaps not so intelligent review. I've had a chance to read some 1 and 2 star reviews from other more talented Goodreads reviewers, and I see that they did a much better job of detailing why this book had so much wasted potential. So, I'll stop here.

As a child of 11, I embarked on a 3-week long holiday to Eyam in Derbyshire, staying in a 15th Century farmhouse. The house itself was rather spooky, but it was the history of the 'Plague village' and its courageous inhabitants that truly ignited my imagination. I vividly recall seeing the well, a crude stone with holes, which marked the furthest point the villagers could reach. It was here that they left notes, money, and requests for basic necessities from outsiders who provided food and medicines in return.

Geraldine Brooks' book is an incredibly engrossing read. Narrated in the first person by Anna Frith, a young shepherdess widowed at 18 and burdened with two small children to support. Her work takes her to the parsonage where the minister Mompellion (Mompesson in real life) is about to demonstrate his worth when the plague strikes the small village with great force and deadly speed.

Although fictional, Brooks manages to convey the full horror of the plight in all its gruesome manifestations and the desperation endured by the close-knit community.

The ending was unexpected, yet I found myself empathizing with Anna, and her story has remained with me ever since. I would highly recommend that if you ever find yourself in Derbyshire, pay a visit to this haunting little village where time seems to have stood still. The medieval church and village green, complete with stocks, still exist. At the end of the story, Anna wonders if they will be forgotten in the generations to come. However, a visit to the village now, further enhanced by this book, proves emphatically that this is not the case.

In a small village, a terrible plague has struck, bringing fear and death to its inhabitants. Amidst this chaos, a young girl named Lily begins to question who she is and what she truly believes.

As the village struggles to cope with the crisis, Lily finds herself on a journey of self-discovery. She meets various people along the way, each with their own stories and beliefs. Through these encounters, she starts to form her own opinions and values.

Lily also discovers that she has a special gift - the ability to sense the emotions and thoughts of others. This gift helps her to understand the pain and suffering of those around her, and gives her the motivation to do something to help.

With her newfound knowledge and abilities, Lily becomes a leader in the village. She organizes efforts to fight the plague, and brings hope and unity to the people. In the end, she realizes that her true purpose in life is to use her gift to help others and make the world a better place.

The story of Lily and the plague-ridden village is one of excellent plot, character development, and exposition. It shows how even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that one person can make a difference.

A historical novel that features an intelligent, intuitive, and resourceful woman has been penned by a brilliantly intelligent, intuitive, and resourceful woman herself.

This novel offers a captivating exploration of the female protagonist's journey through a bygone era.

The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, constantly surprised by the protagonist's clever solutions and unexpected decisions.

Occasionally, readers will also find themselves delighted by the moments of tenderness and humor that are interspersed throughout the narrative.

Ultimately, this novel has the power to change its readers, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for the strength and resilience of women.

If you value such stories, then this is a must-read.

After reading it, you may find yourself compelled to reevaluate your own opinions of other books, as this one stands out as a true masterpiece.

In fact, I myself have had to go and demote a bunch of books that I had previously thought deserved five stars, because they simply pale in comparison to this one.

So don't miss out on this incredible literary gem.

3.25 stars

This rating might seem a bit on the lower side, but it actually holds a certain charm. It indicates that the product or service in question has its strengths, yet also has areas that could use some improvement.

Perhaps it doesn't quite reach the level of excellence that a 4 or 5-star rating would signify, but it's far from being a disappointment. There are aspects that are definitely praiseworthy, whether it's the functionality, the design, or the overall experience.

However, there are also some niggling issues that prevent it from achieving a higher score. Maybe it's a bit slow to respond, or there are some minor glitches that need to be ironed out. But despite these flaws, it still manages to offer a decent value for money.

In conclusion, a 3.25-star rating is not to be overlooked. It represents a middle ground, a product or service that has both good and bad points, but is still worth considering.