Wow! This one is an absolute solid Wow.

I love the voice most of all. It precisely captures the time period, not overwhelming the prose but still immersing me completely in the Fictive Dream. The point of view character is in first person and is mostly told in narrative rather than in scene. However, this doesn't matter at all because of the great voice in the prose. I clung to it like a sailor who has been at sea for months on a life raft, desperate for water. I just couldn't get enough of this book. It ticks all the boxes for me as a great historical novel and is definitely going up in the top five books of the year.

The author writes with such authority that the question of credibility is moot. The words and sentence structure of the time period are wonderful. I really don't know how the author accomplished this with such a great command of story and character. It's an absolute wonderful book.

For those readers who crave more of McCammon’s Mathew Corbett books like Speaks of The Night Bird and Queen of Bedlam, this book is McCammon but with more intense prose.

David Putnam, author of The Bruno Johnson series.

Year of Wonders, a novel by Geraldine Brooks published in 2001, vividly描绘了the plague years of 1666.

The story unfolds with great detail, presenting a world ravaged by the epidemic. However, it concludes with a rather unusual and somewhat unbalanced ending.

As I was reading, it immediately brought to mind Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and of course Camus’ The Plague. In fact, I forgive Brooks much about the ending because of the mention of Oran, which surely couldn't have been a coincidence.

The writing in Year of Wonders is simple and elegant, yet the force and brutality of the plot, told in such straightforward prose, is also reminiscent of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. It is relentless and shocking, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The accompanying image, a beautiful and evocative picture, further enhances the overall atmosphere of the story.

Overall, Year of Wonders is a captivating novel that explores the themes of survival, faith, and human nature in the face of a great crisis.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Year of Wonders is a captivating novel that draws inspiration from the real-life story of the small town of Eyam in Derbyshire, famously known as the Plague Village, during the years 1665 - 1666. Despite the mystery surrounding how the plague arrived in their village, the villagers' heroic decision to quarantine themselves to halt the spread of the deadly disease has etched their story in history.

Geraldine Brooks offers a fictionalized account of life within the Plague Village, providing profound insights into human nature in the face of tragedy. Anna Frith, a widowed housemaid, is occupied with raising her two sons and working in the home of the town's priest and his wife, the Montpelliers. When Anna's lodger succumbs to an awful death, she suspects the plague, and her fears are soon confirmed. The disease spreads rapidly, and the number of fatalities among the villagers rises daily. No one is immune, and every Sunday, the church pews become emptier. Anna and Mrs. Montpellier join forces to care for the afflicted, while Mr. Montpellier works tirelessly to bring comfort to the dying.

What truly intrigued me in this novel was the human element - how the villagers coped with the continuous loss of their loved ones and neighbors, the trauma of self-imposed exile, and the testing of their faith. They searched for a reason behind the plague, wondering if God was punishing them or testing their resolve. My favorite aspect of the novel was the beautiful friendship between Anna and Mrs. Montpellier, which was strengthened by the tragedy. It was a joy to read and impossible not to love both characters and be in awe of their strength.

The ending was a bit of a surprise, with secrets revealed and hidden desires realized. Brooks ties up the loose ends neatly, and although I was initially taken aback, it was a pleasant surprise. I was glad to see that Anna would have the happy future she so richly deserved. This wonderful book had been sitting on my TBR pile for far too long, and I regret waiting so long to read it. Brooks' writing is truly brilliant, and I can't wait to explore more of her works. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book - you won't be disappointed! =)

Annus Mirabilis

In 1666, the dreaded bubonic plague descended upon England. Geraldine Brooks crafted her fictional novel around the true events that unfolded in the small town of Eyam in northern England. That fateful year, a staggering two-thirds of the people perished, with the young being particularly hard-hit.

The story is told from the perspective of a young woman, Anna, and is driven by the real preacher and his wife's attempts to prevent the town's people from losing their rationality. Their level-headedness provides the impetus for the narrative.

During this era, women were often wrongly suspected of being witches and were subjected to tests like the water test. The high degree of uneducated people also led to hasty decisions, causing the story to progress from one disaster to another.

Brooks weaves a skillful tale. All three main characters are believable, and their efforts to save the town, despite facing failures, are truly admirable.

However, one cannot help but question how much fiction was incorporated for the sake of a better story. For instance, Anna befriends a woman who teaches her about using herbs for medicine at a time when doctors were not highly proficient in saving patients. This may have some basis in truth.

The preacher's wife, who was well-versed in Latin and used a historical medical book based on an earlier Arabic manuscript, seems a bit far-fetched in a small town. But given the desperate situation where the townspeople were dying in droves, any form of help was welcome.

As the title implies, the novel's time frame spans a year. The story deteriorates from bad to worse, yet hope始终 remains at the forefront. Religion and spiritualism collide with the might of death.

And then, the ending takes an unexpected turn that borders on the unbelievable. It almost undermines the solid storyline, transforming what could have been a predictable love story into a confusing "what happened?"

Overall, I would rate this book a 3.5. It was a good read, but the ending left something to be desired.

Excellent! This is a well-crafted story about a young woman named Anna. She finds herself in the midst of the struggles of a small 17th century English village that is being ravaged by the Plague. Anna's courage and humanity are strengthened by her own intense desire for life. The village rector and his wife play a crucial role as they lead the community into a self-quarantine for a whole year. During this difficult time, morality, spirituality, mental health, and classism are all put to the test by the numerous challenges they face.

Ultimately, this tale is a profound reflection on the love that Anna has for the couple, Michael and Elinor. Their guidance and support lead her forward on her path to find meaning and wonder in the midst of this disastrous year. The story beautifully portrays the power of love, courage, and community in the face of great adversity. It makes us think about how we would respond in such a situation and how our values and beliefs would be tested. It is a captivating and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression.

The bubonic plague struck Eyam, England in the 1600s, as if it were the end of the world. Geraldine Brooks crafts a somber narrative based on a real incident, in which this village is almost wiped out, compelling its inhabitants to question God's existence, His ability to intervene, and the might of nature.

The strength of women, the hysteria of witchcraft, natural herbal remedies, and the ignorance of halting the spread of disease all unfold within this tragedy.

I relished reading this well-written depiction of life in Britain during the Restoration period. Despite the revelation at the end that appears highly unlikely, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment.

The story vividly brings to life the challenges and turmoil faced by the people of Eyam during that fateful time. Brooks' attention to detail and her ability to create a sense of authenticity make this a captivating read.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era and the human spirit's resilience in the face of disaster.

Year of Wonders is a captivating novel that tells the remarkable story of Anna, a servant to a pastor. Set during the time of the plague, it vividly描绘s how Anna endures both emotionally and physically as the majority of her village succumbs to the illness. I was completely enthralled by this book. I listened to the audiobook during my daily commute, and it was truly fantastic.

The story weaves together the very real drama of life in a small village with the despair that accompanied the plague. There is finger-pointing, people taking advantage of others' needs, and the desperate need to rationalize the countless deaths. My favorite part of the book was when Anna, in the midst of her hectic life, stops to reevaluate her view of God. Using common sense reasoning, she dissects why a deity would allow such tragedy to occur and wonders why the young are taken instead of the old.

Anna comes to the conclusion that what is happening is a biological phenomenon rather than a divine one. Once she has this clarity in her mind, she is better able to handle the irrational responses of others to the plague without being burdened by her own. Anna is a great heroine. Despite her flaws, such as a flirtation with opium addiction to dull her grief and a crush on someone else's husband, she tries to be a good person. She is simply overwhelmed by the events around her and longs to feel loved and safe.

She selflessly cares for the ill, helps an orphaned child hold on to her family's lead mine, and endeavors to keep her village together. The ending of Year of Wonders was incredibly shocking to me, but in a good way. Geraldine Brooks remained true to her characters while taking the story in an unexpected direction, leaving me stunned and needing time to absorb what I had just heard. Highly recommended for book clubs or anyone who loves historical fiction, Year of Wonders is truly a wonder.

If you are penning a book and are in search of a vivid illustration of what not to do, then "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks serves as an exemplary case study.

Admittedly, this assessment might seem severe, yet "Year of Wonders" presents a prime instance of an engaging plot marred by subpar execution.

To commence with, the text style is rather off-putting. It is dull and one-dimensional, bereft of depth and vitality. The absence of a robust sense of imagery, accompanied by a monotone and drab voice, makes the reader inclined to skim through the pages. Trust me, you won't be missing out on much. The language is rudimentary, with sections like "I picked up my skirts to avoid the mud. I walked to the stables. The horses looked happy to see me." In contrast, something along the lines of "Picking up my delicate skirts, hoping to prevent damage, I walked to the stables where the horses pawed the ground in a warm greeting" would have been more engaging.

The character development in "Year of Wonders" is woefully inadequate. The reader never truly grasps Anna's psyche and mental emotions. She remains inaccessible, and moreover, fails to establish any chemistry with the numerous characters in the novel. On multiple occasions, Anna mentions her deceased husband Sam, but there is no palpable emotional connection to him. The story progression is also lackluster, amounting to little more than: Person A succumbs to the plague, then Person B, and then we attempt to prevent Person C from passing away, but he dies along with Person D... It's enough to put you to sleep. You might think that the parts describing witches and spells are more captivating? Wrong. They are nothing but cheesy and unbelievable, better suited for a young adult novel.

Still need more persuasion regarding the negative aspects of this book? The narrative quite frankly lacks spirit. Even when Anna's children perish from the plague, the reader feels little remorse as Anna herself scarcely details any. The time period also appears to be amiss. Although set in 1666, "Year of Wonders" does not fully encapsulate Stuart England and falls short in bringing the experience to life. In fact, the text is somewhat more modern than the era it purports to chronicle.

Alright, this review might seem like nothing more than a litany of complaints, but I truly could not find a single redeeming factor in "Year of Wonders". With an abundance of books and a dearth of time, it's simply not worth focusing on a subpar story.

I'd like to entitle this review How I Wish I Liked Geraldine Brooks More and subtitle it (for dramatic effect) How I Narrowly Escaped the Plague.

True story: Last year, right before Labor Day in the States, our dog became rather lethargic and had swelling around his neck. Strangely enough, although it was hot and the end of August, I was simultaneously experiencing a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

It was the Thursday before the Monday Labor Day holiday (naturally) when I took our dog in and had the vet extract some fluid from one of the swollen spots on his neck. When the vet returned, he had a peculiar look on his face and asked, “Any chance you've been exposed to fleas?”

Well, yes. One of our cats had recently broken free and entered a rabbit warren (which, of course, made me think of Watership Down), killed all the rabbits, laid them out like a sociopath in the grass in the backyard, and then entered the house with fleas on its body. I had spent several days combing it and vacuuming the house like Sylvia Plath.

I wondered, why did he ask?

The vet shifted his weight uneasily and said, “Well, as you may know, we have confirmed cases of the bubonic plague here, and, based on what I'm seeing in the fluid I've extracted and your experience with the rabbits and fleas... it's possible that your dog has contracted the plague.”

Honestly, he could have knocked me down with a feather pen at that moment. I asked, “Is this because I love Shakespeare?” (For real. Maybe it was shock?)

He gave my arm a light squeeze (how brave of him to touch me!), and said nervously, “Um, I'm sure it's nothing, but unfortunately we won't have the lab results back until Tuesday because it's a holiday weekend.”

So, from Thursday to Tuesday, I wondered if our dog, I, or any members of our household had the plague. THE PLAGUE. Sheesh. It was awful.

Anyway, I'm happy (thrilled in fact) to report that we did NOT have the plague, and we survived. But you can now know my true devotion to books when I share with you that, as soon as we received the good news that we did not have the plague, the very next thing I thought was... those poor people in Year of Wonders weren't so lucky.

I went home, grabbed a copy of the book, took out my notes, and reminded myself that Year of Wonders was a debut novel for Ms. Brooks and it contains some fantastic language. And, obviously, some part of the story stayed with me. I can't think about the plague (though I hope I never contemplate having it again) without thinking of this book.

But, what happens to Ms. Brooks's novels? I've read three of them now, and although they always start with sharp, descriptive, and almost poetic language, they all decline for me. In fact, they crash with their strange and sloppy endings.

Now that I have faced the possibility of plague, I feel I have developed a kinship with some of her characters. But still, I hesitate. I wonder... why don't I like her books more?

I'm not entirely certain how to precisely rate this particular book.

The first half seemed to progress at a rather sluggish pace. Despite the inherently thrilling topic of a plague spreading through a small village, I didn't experience the expected sense of excitement while reading the book itself. It simply wasn't advancing as rapidly as the plague ultimately did.

However, last night, when I opened the book with 150 pages remaining (the second half), I found myself completely engrossed and finished it in one sitting! The pace was much quicker this time around. Anna Firth, our resilient female narrator, is truly remarkable. She undergoes a series of transformations, from being a grieving widow to a life-saver, then suicidal, a lover, and finally part of a harem. Yes, you read that correctly - a harem! The ending was so strange and unexpected that it was beyond my wildest imagination. I'm still grappling with how all of these elements fit together. Perhaps that's the author's intention.

Among all the characters, my favorite was Elinor. She was wounded, repentant, and full of spirit. Her character was developed extremely well in this book.

Even now, I'm still left shaking my head in disbelief.

4.5 stars

This is a truly beautiful work. It serves as a profound portrait that vividly depicts how tragedy has the power to both bring out the absolute worst and, astonishingly, the very best in humanity. The story weaves a complex tapestry of emotions and experiences, showing the full range of human nature in the face of adversity.

However, that epilogue. Oh, THAT EPILOGUE. To be honest, it's a little bit odd. I found myself a bit confused while reading it. In fact, it felt like the epilogue of a completely different book, to be quite frank. But then, those final two sentences. They had an impact on me that words can hardly describe. They made my heart flutter with a mix of emotions: ❤️

*3.5*

God warns us not to love any earthly thing above Himself, and yet He sets in a mother’s heart such a fierce passion for her babes that I do not comprehend how he can test us so.




This author is truly a master when it comes to writing atmospheric and moody stories. However, the problem with this particular one is that it was incredibly violently graphic in certain parts, which made it quite depressing. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting when I picked up a novel about the plague.




Stanley believed that sickness was sent by God to test and chastise the souls He would save. If we sought to evade such, we would miss the lessons God willed us to learn, at the cost of worst torments after our death.




But what was that ending though?? It left me completely stunned and with so many questions. The story seemed to build up to something huge, and then the ending just came out of nowhere. It felt a bit rushed and didn't quite tie up all the loose ends. I was hoping for a more satisfying conclusion that would have made all the violence and depression worth it. Overall, while the writing was excellent, the ending really let the story down for me.