Friday, December 29, 2006

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Okay, I actually read this one two books ago, but I wanted to include it in the blog because I was so impressed by it. This is a story of a small town that quarantines itself during the plague. It's based on a real town and revolves around the fictionalized story of a young mother who befriends a traveling seamster. Inevitably, people become infected and the town's unorthodox minister manages to convince the townspeople to make the ultimate sacrifice and not run from the disease but instead quarantine themselves so no other towns become infected. This one was a real nailbiter and just kept moving. I found myself most drawn to the medicine women in the book. The way they are both revered for their knowledge and also thought of as witches was fascinating and horrifying. If you like amazing fiction mixed with heartwrenching history, please read this book.

2 comments:

Jackie said...
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Jackie said...

This is a wonderful book...although the subject matter is grim and I was on the verge of tears any number of times, it is beautifully written. You will be inspired by this young woman's resillence and courage during this horrific "Year of Wonders".