Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague

Author: Geraldine Brooks


ISBN: 0142001430


Amazon Synopsis:


"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."

My Review:

First, I couldn't find this in my bookshelf, but I know I have it somewhere. I remember reading this because I absolutely loved it. But you may find that my love of books can be somewhat morbid. I find Anna to be a very strong character, easy to like even if she doesn't always make the right choices. She goes through things which no one should have to endure and truly does live through a year of wonders.

If I could weave with words the images Brooks conjures with hers, I'd be a best-selling author in no time. I wept at different intervals so have a box of tissue nearby. My problem was that I read this while traveling... on a plane. I had to deal with holding back my emotions which I'm inept at doing no matter what.

My Advice:

Read it, but do so alone and with some tissues close at hand.

Houston, We Have a Problem

I'm already seeing a problem. I went to my bookshelf just now to find my first book to review. It's 1984, by George Orwell. I want to die. I'm sorry for those English teachers out there, but I truly hated reading this book.

The only reason I ever finished the school books that I had to read, rather than using Spark Notes, was because I had to know what happened. At least I can say that they were well-written enough to make me CARE for the characters.

Maybe I won't start at A. Maybe I'll go backwards from Z... or Y if I don't have any Zzzzzzzzz... Sorry. I mean... well, you know.

So here goes nothin'... Again.

What You'll Find Here

I used to read a lot and now... well, let's just say I don't. Not that I don't read for fun sometimes, but I just don't read a lot. I got a Kindle for Christmas so I'm on a mission to change that! I've recently purchased some Kindle books and, having a look at my real bookshelves, I see books I've either not read in ages (that could do with another read) or that I haven't read at all!

So here's the deal. Be they favorites or not, I plan on reading every chapter book on my shelves. Some are comic or joke books, so I'll skip those. But, in alphabetical order, I will read these.

And these. See those on the bottom?

That's a LOT of books, but I sort of have the time in the coming months. I know you can't read all of those, but I promise there are a lot of book on that first set of shelves and things like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings on the second set. That's where I put my absolute favorites! Last, but not least, will be a very, very special book. You'll just have to wait and see what that one is, though. I'll mix in my Kindle editions as well. Can't leave those out.

So, if you see a book you think you'd like, then I've done my job. If you heard of a book but aren't sure and you seem to like what I've said about others, let me know. Maybe I'll review that one next!