Book Review: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Inspired by the true story of Eyam, a village in Derbyshire, England, Year of Wonders tells the tale of the plague of 1665 as recalled through the protagonist, an eighteen year-old housemaid, Anna Frith. When a box of cloths carrying the bubonic plague arrives to the small village from London, villagers begin to die from the disease rapidly. The young and visionary rector of the village, Mr. Mompellion, puts into effect a plan of quarantine for the village – this means no one can enter or leave the village. Anna encounters several hardships alongside the deaths of the ones she loves: unconventional love, ill common beliefs, and unjust imposed societal standards. As the death toll rises in the village, people lose their sanity. Anna watches as witch-hunting, satanic rituals, and even flagellantism takes over the community. As catastrophe falls upon the village, Anna emerges as an unlikely and brave heroine who takes it upon herself to become the support for the villagers.

Geraldine Brooks creates an intense ambience throughout the book. The story encompasses several matured-audience topics, such as death, sex, and inhumane customs (although historically accurate). The exploration of these topics as well as revisiting a riveting moment in history through the use of extensive details creates a dark, yet realistic tone. It all the more establishes the story told by Anna as that of a real story. Brooks provides the reader with a range of Anna’s emotional feelings, though never presenting them as over-the-top: this fit my taste perfectly because I do not enjoy narrations that are overdramatized. One theme that can be found in Year of Wonders that I particularly liked was that of breaking the social standards of the time (what historical fiction novel doesn’t have this?). Anna comes from a poor family with a bad reputation: her father is a drunkard and her step mother thinks nothing of her. She lived a childhood filled with abuse, and married at the age of fifteen as a means to leave her household. Despite her situation, which was not uncommon for many young girls during the time period, she manages to receive an education at the rectory, learning how to read and gaining knowledge over several matters. Anna goes through a drastic change in character: from not having an identity to finding her role in life, Anna transforms into a strong woman. In fact, near the end of the novel, when Mr. Mompellion confesses to her about his loss in faith to God and his insensitive acts, she states, “I understood that where Michael Mompellion had been broken by our sheared ordeal, in equal measure I had been tempered and made strong” (Brooks, 274). This makes the reader applaud for Anna throughout the whole of the book.

I absolutely loved this book. It contains a story filled with love, struggles, and learning, all connected to a historical event that impacted many during the 17^th era. Brooks combines history with relatable conflicts into an unforgettable read. I would recommend this book to history lovers, hopeless romantics, and anyone who doesn’t mind a little drama or matured thematic concepts. 

This book may not be for all people, especially considering its slow beginning, but it is action-packed in its own, 17th century English way (it has an unpredictable and exciting ending!!).

I give it 4.5/5 stars.