HearingBooks

This is a novel of the bubonic plague that ravaged parts of England in the 17th century. It’s an amazing title considering that the book is really about a year of horror! The story is inspired by an actual town commemorated as Plague Village because of the events that took place there in 1665-1666.

I liked the book and found it fascinating to get close to a small, rural community suddenly threatened by painful destruction. You have to admire the villagers’ courage and decision to try and stand up to the terribly contagious disease by voluntarily isolating themselves.

The story is told from the point of view of Anna, a young widow with two young sons. Anna works as a maid for the vicar and his wife. The latter takes Anna under her wings and teaches her to read and write when she understands that Anna is bright and has a craving for knowledge. The story revolves around these three characters, Anna, the vicar and his wife. As the story unfolds – and the village slowly gets depopulated – they all surprise us with unsuspected secrets or hidden character traits. I always enjoy a book that has the power of surprising me, and this one certainly did not develop and end the way I would have thought!

Tags: year of wonders, geraldine brooks, middle ages, black death, historical novel, england, 1666