“Plague stories remind us that we cannot manage without community . . . Year of Wonders is a testament to that very notion.” – The Washington Post An unforgettable tale, set in 17th century England, of a village that quarantines itself to arrest the spread of the plague, from the author The Secret Chord and of March, winner of the Pulitzer Prize When an infected bolt of cloth carries plague from London to an isolated village, a housemaid named Anna Frith emerges as an unlikely heroine and healer. Through Anna's eyes we follow the story of the fateful year of 1666, as she and her fellow villagers confront the spread of disease and superstition. As death reaches into every household and villagers turn from prayers to murderous witch-hunting, Anna must find the strength to confront the disintegration of her community and the lure of illicit love. As she struggles to survive and grow, a year of catastrophe becomes instead annus mirabilis, a "year of wonders." Inspired by the true story of Eyam, a village in the rugged hill country of England, Year of Wonders is a richly detailed evocation of a singular moment in history. Written with stunning emotional intelligence and introducing "an inspiring heroine" (The Wall Street Journal), Brooks blends love and learning, loss and renewal into a spellbinding and unforgettable read.
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"i was only listening to this book because i was hoping to help my yr 12 son with his English essay. I must admit the beginning of this book was hard work listening to. But i was glad I kept going. Wow, I really did love this story, especially the way in which it was told. I found myself gasping at times. Loved it!."
— Not a reader but a listener (5 out of 5 stars)
" Very good portrait of what it was like to survive in a village in 17th century England with a plague at hand. Well researched on many facets. Good story line too. "
— Anni, 10/1/2017" I learned more about the Plague from this novel of historical fiction than in all my years of history in school. The weaving of facts and story-telling made for a lovely and fascinating read. "
— Gena, 2/19/2014" This book took me a long time to get through. The audio book reader was very hard to listen to. However, I liked the book and found it insightful into understanding what the Plague must have been like and to realize how much vaccines do for us. It was so interesting. But I did not like the ending at all! "
— Diana, 2/11/2014" Beautifully written historical fiction -- loved it........ "
— Juli, 2/10/2014" Entertaining in a very gruesome medieval way. I'm jolly glad I wasn't alive in Eyam in 1666. Nicely written, though a bit strange/rushed at the end. Three and a half stars from me. But worth a read "
— Liz, 2/2/2014" I enjoyed the strength of the main character. The tale was certainly gripping. "
— Ellen, 1/20/2014" Not her masterpiece (that would be People of the Book) but Brooks continues to prove her chops as a strong historical fiction author. "
— Amanda, 1/5/2014" Brilliant - up to the terrible epilogue - which means 4 stars not 5. "
— Lorna, 12/23/2013" I didn't think I would like this book, when it came up in my book group, but I loved it!! "
— Bethany, 12/21/2013" I LOVED this book. I loved the main character of Anna Firth. I loved the births. I loved the ending. Yeah. It was good. The only thing I wish it had was a glossary of medieval words. Oh, well, that is what google is for, right? "
— Jessica, 11/21/2013" I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction. Gave me a birds eye view into life of those times and situation. I'm thankful to be living in the 21st century! "
— Amy, 11/19/2013" I can't decide if this is better than *March*...it's certainly as good. I really like Brooks' historical fiction. She's visiting Ogden in November too :) "
— Becky, 10/22/2013" Great read. Captivated and interested me throughout. "
— Jessica, 10/14/2013" Geraldine Brooks is a masterful story-teller. I am looking forward to reading more books by her! "
— Jennifer, 9/14/2013" A friend lent this book to me, but I did not read it for a while, because the subject seemed like it would be bleak, but once I started, I could not put it down. "
— Joyce, 6/16/2013" Poetic. Once you fall into Brook's world, you are want to stay lost in the way she weaves her language to tell the story. "
— Julia, 4/4/2013" Good one. "
— Jabeen Sohail, 2/21/2013" I have to agree with all those who really liked the first 85% of the book but got disgusted with the last bit. "
— Francineex, 12/4/2012" I listened to this and it was beautifully read by the author. While this does deal with the plague, I thought it was a lovely story and I will probably listen to it again. The characters became very dear to me, and I loved the ending. "
— Elizabeth, 6/18/2012" One of my favorite books ever! Fascinating! "
— Jwedseltoft, 3/18/2012" I found it captivating in a slow-and-steady way. Excellent read. "
— Rose, 2/16/2012" So evocative and such a tribute to courage. However, for me, it resulted in a temporary and minor case of germaphobia. "
— Kathryn, 1/7/2012" Currently listening to the audio book read by the author. Helps while prepping and cooking all those garden veggies. "
— Marilyn, 11/18/2011" Beautifully written and immensely engaging. "
— Lisa, 9/5/2011" Based on a true story. "
— Deb, 8/23/2011" I couldn't put this down...a well-written story with a set of characters that I really wanted to know what would happen to them. I will be reading more Brooks. "
— Donna, 7/9/2011" Beautifully and poetically written but the ending felt like it came out of left field. "
— Ahissa, 6/24/2011" Absolutely wonderful (and so sad) "
— Trisha, 6/1/2011" A wonderful story, one that I didn't want to end. I've recommended this book to so many people and haven't met anyone who hasn't been captivated by this most unusual snapshot of history. "
— MsP, 5/24/2011" Enjoyed it immensely; had heard of the Plague Village before so this was much more informative and interesting <br/> <br/>A fiction book that has elements of non-fiction in it. <br/> "
— Anne, 5/23/2011" Wondrous all the way through (for the most part.) Highly recommended. "
— Katie, 5/23/2011" I would have given this 4 stars, except for the ending. Very lame, and out of character with the rest of the book, for me. "
— Beth, 5/23/2011" This was a charming and delightful read into the days of yesteryear. I look forward to my other reads by this author! "
— Nancy, 5/23/2011" A well researched and deftly written tale of a small town isolated due to an outbreak of an infectious disease. Highly recommended "
— Billymojo, 5/21/2011" This book is set during the plague on England. While the subject material is kind of gruesome, I thought the character development was very good. I thought it was so interesting to watch Anna mature. I wasn't a fan of the ending. It didn't fit the rest of the story got me. "
— Amy, 5/21/2011" Love this author . . . I'll read everything she ever writes. Always fascinating and engaging. "
— Gail, 5/18/2011" Very bleak but good. I cried for Anna more than once. The ending was a bit odd but beautiful. "
— Rebecca, 5/18/2011" Great period piece - I know the village this story is set in, which changes my appreciation of the story, but I really enjoyed her writing. When the book disappears, and you're just in the story, you know it's good. "
— Ian, 5/16/2011Geraldine Brooks is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel March and numerous New York Times bestsellers. Caleb's Crossing won the New England Book Award for Fiction and the Christianity Today Book Award and was a finalist for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction. She has also written the acclaimed nonfiction works Nine Parts of Desire and Foreign Correspondence.