Year of wonders

a novel of the plague

by Geraldine Brooks

308 pages

English language

Published Dec. 8, 2002 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-200143-1

(19 reviews)

This gripping historical novel is based on the true story of Eyam, the "Plague Village," in the rugged mountain spine of England. In 1666, a tainted bolt of cloth from London carries bubonic infection to this isolated settlement of shepherds and lead miners. A visionary young preacher convinces the villagers to seal themselves off in a deadly quarantine to prevent the spread of disease. The story is told through the eyes of eighteen-year-old Anna Frith, the vicar's maid, as she confronts the loss of her family, the disintegration of her community, and the lure of a dangerous and illicit love. As the death toll rises and people turn from prayers and herbal cures to sorcery and murderous witch-hunting, Anna emerges as an unlikely and courageous heroine in the village's desperate fight to save itself.

3 editions

GG reviewed Year of wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Review of 'Year of wonders' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I loved this novel, but would not recommend the audiobook, which is read by a woman with a very soft, childlike voice, making it hard to hear (especially if you listen, as I usually do, while out running along noisy roads). Regardless, the book itself was a joy to read in 2021, the second year of our own plague, and gave me hope that like Anna, we will all be tempered and made stronger by the experience.

Delia reviewed Year of wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Review of 'Year of wonders' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I think I’ve been reading too much non-fiction as I felt disappointed at the unrealistic aspects of this book, when the true story (as much as we can know) was astounding enough. So a pretty good book but not a great one.

AliCorbin reviewed Year of wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Review of 'Year of wonders' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

As for the book, everyone was unanimous in disliking the tacked on, fantasy ending. Otherwise, most people found it interesting and informative. It definately showed Brooks' journalistic roots, to the point at which one suspects that she did a lot of research, and then constructed her plot so as to cram as much of it as possible into the novel. And she stumbled on the archaic language at times, and presented a rather modern voice for a 17th century narrator.