What I am Reading

Year of Wonders – Geraldine Brooks

At the end of last term, I was asked to look after a Year 11 class, due to a teacher taking leave. The class was starting a new text, Geraldine Brooks’ Year of Wonders. I had no idea what a beautifully written book I was about to read; and relevant.

The novel is set in the mid-17th century, in an English village named Eyam. It is based on an historical event wherein the village quarantined itself, from 1665-1666, due to an outbreak of the plague. This decision was made by the people to stop the spread of the disease. It is known to this day as the “Plague village. The ordeal is told through the eyes of 18 year old, widowed Anna, a handmaid to the rector, who grows through self-education in many ways during the year of quarantine, including becoming a healer.

The author has written a historically accurate narrative, including many archaic words whose meaning can be garnered without having to run for the dictionary (although I personally do like looking up new words). The novel was published in 2002 and the parallels to the past two years are uncanny. The “Ring of Steel” was still clear in my mind as I read about how the villagers set up a boundary, where food and goods were dropped off by citizens of the neighbouring village. The responses of the villagers also paralleled what we have seen over the past couple of years.

Geraldine Brooks has written a beautifully eloquent story that is very relatable at this point in time. After reading it in preparation for the class, I read it again for pleasure during the holidays and enjoyed it even more.

Karl Fritzlaff