Year of Wonders is a captivating historical novel set in a small English town located 100 miles outside of London in the year 1666. The town is hit by a plague that is brought by a London tailor staying with the narrator, Anna. The village's remoteness causes the villagers to initially fail to recognize the true nature of the disease. Once they understand the horrors of the plague, they are faced with a difficult decision: flee to save themselves or stay to prevent the disease from spreading further.

In the end, all the villagers except the only rich family in town decide to stay. As we follow the town through its year of isolation, we witness the transformation of Anna, who starts as a lowly maid. She becomes a strong woman upon whom the town depends for herbal remedies and also becomes the only midwife after a tragic incident.

When I first saw this book, I thought it would be an easy read due to its length. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The book is filled with a wealth of information and vivid scenes. Brooks is an excellent writer, using her words economically while still telling a great story. She also does a wonderful job of using old English without it being cumbersome.

I really liked seeing Anna grow as a person. One of my favorite parts was when she and Elinor went to the mine to save Merry's family's mine. I was impressed that Brooks made the women so independent in a 17th-century novel. Although there were some cringe-worthy moments in the book, they added to its authenticity.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. The only thing that disappointed me was the epilogue, which went against my expectations. But despite that, I still thoroughly enjoyed the novel and have already recommended it to many friends.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is a remarkable debut novel that offers a vivid historical fiction account of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire, England during the terrifying outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1665.

The origin of the plague was traced back to a bolt of material ordered by the village tailor from London. It was believed that the material was contaminated with infected fleas, which then led to the rapid spread of the plague within the village. Tragically, within a year, more than half of the villagers lost their lives.

At the core of this story is Anna Frith, a widow and housemaid to the rector Michael Mompellion and his wife, Elinor. Reverend Mompellion convinced the village to impose a self-quarantine to prevent the further spread of the plague to neighboring communities. This meant that no one was permitted to leave or enter the village.

Anna Frith, who had endured significant personal losses, refused to believe that the pestilence was a call for repentance. Instead, with the help of Elinor Mompellion, she embraced the herbal remedies she had learned from Mem and Anys Gowdie, the village herbalists, and ministered to the villagers.

Anna Frith is central to the predominant theme of the book, which explores the conflict between God and nature. In the context of reading this book during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, it becomes easier to understand how fear can drive people to turn against their friends, neighbors, and even family members in the struggle for survival.

Year of Wonders is a devastating and moving book that also manages to be uplifting. The quotes from the book, such as "Dear friends, here we are, and here we must stay. Let the boundaries of this village become our whole world. Let none enter and none leave while this Plague lasts," and "By the second Sunday of June we had reached a sorry marker: as many of us were now in the ground as walked above it," add to the poignancy and power of the story.

Overall, Geraldine Brooks has crafted a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on a dark period in history.

One of my first "editorial" purchases... right after Harry Potter... An excellent novel about the black death, or the plague in English... Unfortunately, it was published in the wrong edition and not given adequate attention... but look for it in libraries... And even better, read it in the original if you can...

This novel holds a special place in my heart. It offers a unique perspective on a historical event that had a profound impact on society. The description of the black death and its consequences is both vivid and harrowing. Despite its flaws in publication, it still manages to captivate the reader and transport them back in time.

Libraries are a great resource for finding this hidden gem. They often have a wide selection of books, including those that may not have received the attention they deserve. By exploring the shelves, you might just come across this novel and discover a new world of literature.

If possible, reading the original version is highly recommended. It allows you to fully appreciate the author's language and style. The nuances and subtleties that may be lost in translation can be experienced firsthand, enhancing the overall reading experience. So, don't hesitate to seek out this novel and embark on a journey through history.

Update: $1.99 kindle special today! It’s a WONDERFUL novel at a great price!!

After reading "Long Man" by Amy Greene not long ago, I found myself with a strong craving. I wanted to read about another female character who "might" remind me of Annie Clyde Dodson. Moreover, I desired the story, like "Long Man", to be inspired by true events.

Last but not least, I longed for the writing to be gorgeous - rich, beautiful prose that was character driven and realistic. I wanted to get in touch with that special "feeling" which is distinct from the many modern contemporary novels I have read.

"YEAR of WONDER" turned out to be the perfect choice. It satisfied all my longings. Yikes! So much in the story is so darn sad!!!

The character, Anna Frith, the leading female, truly inspired me and comforted me with her calm kindness. This was yet another book that I simply couldn't put down. It was page-turning and completely engrossing!

The PROSE in "Year of Wonder" is exquisite. The rich "quality" that I was seeking was all there. The writing truly blew me away.

It's a dark story with writing that exceeds your expectations, and its thoughts will linger in your mind.

If you liked "Long Man", you'll definitely love "Year of Wonder".....or vice versa).

The description of the road in the story is quite vivid.

It tells us that now there is no ice, mud, or dust on the road as it is grassed over. Only a cow-track down the centre remains, where the slight use of a few passing feet has worn the weeds down.

This shows how nature is gradually reclaiming its place.

Hundreds of years ago, the people of the village pushed nature back from its precincts.

However, it has taken less than a year for nature to start reclaiming its territory.

This contrast emphasizes the power of nature and how easily it can rebound.

The story also mentions that during the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, readers can somewhat relate to the experience of the plague in 1665-1666.

Cities had silent streets (not yet grassed over), people were avoiding contact, and there were innovative ways to distribute food.

It made people more aware of how much they took their daily interactions, small pleasures, and conveniences for granted.

This connection between the past and the present adds an interesting layer to the story.

Overall, the story provides a realistic and grim account of England's Great Plague of 1665-1666 through the eyes of Anna, a young village widow.

Brooks' writing makes it both bearable and compelling to read.

Despite the horrors and tragedies described, there are also moments of new life and hope, such as the sprouting walnut shell.

The story also highlights the importance of community and the lengths people will go to during difficult times.

It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that makes us appreciate the progress we have made since then.

Nope, I didn't like this at all.

OK, just about everybody agrees the ending is bad, and I'm no exception. But that's not the only reason I have such a strong dislike for this book. For me, endings aren't that crucial. What really matters is the time I spend with the book. Does it make me think? Am I pulled into the lives of the characters? Do I ever smile, laugh out loud, or cry? With this book, I never laughed even once. Nor did I cry. I was made miserable by the constant depravity in the village. The rector's religious thinking, which made him judgmental and all-knowing, also annoyed me. He was as far from humble as possible.

The following contains some spoilers, so beware!

I have trouble accepting the rector's sexual behavior towards his wife and her close friend Anna. His religious explanation for abstaining from sex with his wife, whom I believe he truly loved, revolving around repentance and atonement, is beyond my comprehension. I think it was pure sophistry, even in the 1600s. The explanation just didn't seem genuine. Moreover, if this was what he really thought, then the rector had an awfully high opinion of himself and what he thought he had the right to teach others.

I do respect and admire the rector's noble efforts to save countless lives by leading the village to isolate itself from its neighbors, even though many villagers sacrificed their lives to save those outside. However, in the hands of this author, this tremendous act of courage completely overshadowed the normal, small daily acts of kindness and humor that usually lighten and ease the burden of life in difficult times. There was just too much misery without any joy or humor, which surely must have occurred occasionally.

I agree that the author seamlessly incorporated her historical studies, but that doesn't necessarily make it a great book.

I guess I'm the odd one out for not liking this book!

I read this book for the second time as I'm looking to immerse myself in the thoughts on mediaeval England.

It is a truly compelling and readable story. The setting, during a plague outbreak, gives it a dark tone, as one would expect. However, it is never gratuitously so. There is always heart and beauty to be found within the pages.

I sympathised a great deal with the main character, especially as a mother. The emotions and experiences she goes through are so relatable and touching.

What I had forgotten was how surprising the ending is. I remember finding it quite jarring the first time I read this. But this time around, perhaps due to a different perspective or a deeper understanding, it didn't have the same impact. Nevertheless, it still managed to leave me with a sense of wonder and reflection.

Overall, this book is a wonderful exploration of a bygone era, filled with complex characters, a captivating plot, and a touch of mystery. It is definitely worth a read, whether it's your first or second time.

"Annus mirabilis" is the title of a poem written by John Dryden referring to the year 1666.

The popular superstition was convinced that it would be a ruinous - if not deadly - year as it contained the sequence 666 attributed to Satan. However, England achieved important victories over the enemy Holland. And although London was hit by what went down in history as "The Great Fire", according to Dryden, there were no such disastrous consequences.

"Annus mirabilis" thus became a phrase that Dryden left as an inheritance to refer to particularly miraculous years. Nevertheless, there is something that Dryden omits in his eulogy to the English victory, and it is disconcerting because it is not a minor omission.

What he does not (want to) remember is that 1666 was also the year of the greatest spread of the Black Death, which, hidden in a load of cotton from the Netherlands, insidiously infiltrated the British territory. The official history records the episode of Eyam (in Derbyshire) which heroically contained the contagion by closing the boundaries of the village.

I really loved the way Geraldine Brooks reconstructed this historical event, describing to us a humanity not only confined "in a green prison" but also in the grip of Puritan and superstitious mentality.

Contagi


2014 - The Ebola virus after: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, Mali and Guinea-Bissau also arrives in Nigeria.


What is the use of writing and reading the past if not to understand the present and face the future?

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This was truly an outstanding historical fiction book. I had never delved into anything from this particular era before.

Set in 1666, the story unfolds as the plague ominously approaches a small rural village. It is told through the eyes of Anna Frith, a young married housemaid who is also the mother of two young children.

This provides a captivating look into the lives of ordinary individuals during extraordinary times. The overall concept of the book is based on a factual account of a village under siege from the plague.

It is extremely challenging to envision such a devastating illness without the medical knowledge we have today. It is no surprise that people, driven by fear, resorted to all sorts of superstitions and far-fetched cures.

This book is very well-researched, and at times, it is deeply sad, heartwarmingly tender, and highly inspirational. It is my first 5-star rating of the year. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and to everyone who relishes a well-told story.

"Year of Wonder" by Geraldine Brooks is an engaging exploration of the 1666 plague that struck a small village outside London.

It delves into various aspects such as the abuse of women, the tragic witch killings, and the prevalent superstitions of that era.

The story目睹 the deaths of many good and noble individuals, which is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.

I experienced this book through the audio version, and it had its ups and downs. At times, it truly felt like I was immersed in a play, with the vivid narration bringing the story to life.

However, there were also moments when the reader's performance seemed a bit artificial or lacking in authenticity.

Despite these drawbacks, I still managed to take a lot away from the book.

The monologues of Anna, in particular, were delivered in short words and sentences, which made them somewhat difficult to follow at times.

Overall, "Year of Wonder" is an odd but captivating read that offers a unique perspective on a dark period in history.

Year of Wonder offers a vivid and immersive account of the plague year of 1666 in the English countryside, as seen through the eyes of Anna Frith, a young widowed maid with two young boys.

The story is inspired by the actual village of Eyam in Derbyshire. When the plague struck, the residents courageously chose to quarantine themselves voluntarily. This selfless act is also replicated in the fictional village. As the death toll rises, Rector Mompellion pleads with the villagers to stay within the village borders to prevent the spread of the contagion.

Brooks skillfully portrays the stages of the contagion, from the first plague death to the hysteria and blame-game that follows. The book provides a detailed look at what it was like to live through the Black Death, both in terms of the physical suffering of the victims and the impact on society.

The late 17th century was a time of change, with the Restoration era underway and Puritanism losing its grip. This tension is reflected in the story as the characters' wardrobes and the village's religious views evolve. Brooks also explores the struggle of believers with their faith in the face of such a tragedy.

However, the book is not without its flaws. Anna Frith seems to be a character with a 21st-century sensibility, which can be a bit jarring. Her actions and decisions sometimes seem too modern for the time period. Additionally, the portrayal of some of the other characters, such as the rector, can be a bit one-sided.

Overall, while Year of Wonder has its issues, it is still an engaging and interesting read that offers a unique perspective on a dark period in history. If you're interested in learning more about the Black Death, it's definitely worth checking out.