Readers' Review: "Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague" By Geraldine Brooks
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-10-31/readers-review-year-wonders-novel-plague-geraldine-brooks
![The Plague Pit from "Old Saint Paul’s: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire." From the holdings of Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library—Harvard College Library.
- Image courtesy Harvard University Library Open Collections Program](http://thedianerehmshow.org/sites/thedianerehmshow.org/files/imagecache/620xH/images/headline/121030_plague.jpg "The Plague Pit from "Old Saint Paul’s: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire." From the holdings of Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library—Harvard College Library.
- Image courtesy Harvard University Library Open Collections Program")
The Plague Pit from "Old Saint Paul’s: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire." From the holdings of Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library—Harvard College Library.
Image courtesy Harvard University Library Open Collections Program
Geraldine Brooks is no stranger to war zones. The journalist-turned-author once covered Bosnia and the Middle East for The Wall Street Journal. And Brooks’ understanding of human suffering is evident in her first novel. In it, she spins a real-life horror story into a tale of fragile hope. “Year of Wonders” fictionalizes the true account of villagers in seventeenth-century Eyam, England. They voluntarily quarantined their plague-infested town to prevent the disease from spreading. Brooks’ storyteller is a young maid who aids the village rector in his mission to contain the plague. Join Diane and her guests for our October Readers’ Review of Geraldine Brooks' novel, "Year of Wonders."
Guests
Lynn Neary
NPR correspondent covering books and publishing.
Sena Jeter Naslund
author of "Ahab's Wife."
Dane Kennedy
professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University.
Related Items
Read An Excerpt
Reprinted by arrangement with Penguin books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., from Year Of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Copyright © 2001 by Geraldine Brooks.
Comments
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I have heard several scientists report that the planet is overdue for a super-deadly worldwide plague or virus. The near future might be very interesting for us ... if not pleasant.
Geraldine Brooks is a wonderful writer who continues to develop historical fiction in a truly authentic voice. Caleb's Crossing is also a masterpiece.
I am very glad to hear more about this book and the story behind it. I bought the book in a London airport in 2001 and feel in love with it. This year, when we were planning a visit to Chatsworth, England, I was delighted to find that the town of Eyam was very nearby. We stayed one night in the Crown Cottage B&B, Eyam, and our warm and welcoming hosts put us in the very bedroom where Geraldine Brooks stayed while researching her novel.
I don't think I have time to comment on air, and even though the residents of Eyam might not be happy that I am saying this for fear of excessive tourism in their very small village, but anyone interested in the story would feel the same wonder that I did still evident in the town today. I believe the history has been well documented...I have an excellent booklet written in 1989 by John Clifford, and expanded in 2003, shortly after Year of Wonders came out. The history does parallel the novel fairly closely.
My impression of the story is that it is an early example of 'scientific thought'; deciding to isolate the village was designed as a controlled experiment. As noted, the value of the experiment is debatable.
Another book that I happened upon that covers a similar subject, half way around the world in medieval Japan, is called Shipwreck. Written by Akira Yoshimura. It tells the story of a small coastal village in which a ship carrying exiled plague victims makes a devastating impact on the unsuspecting inhabitants.
Perfect choice for a halloween read...not for the faint of heart. Thanks!!!!
P.S. Street view of Google Earth goes right down the main street in Eyam; you can see the Church and the signed Plague Cottages for yourself!
At around 11:30am today, I was listening to the show while picking up and transporting kids. Along with the two books being discussed (Year of Wonders and Ahab's Wife), the guests mentioned a book whose title was something along the lines of "The Remarkable Journey of Elizabeth (didn't get the last name)." If I heard right (between the kids' voices), it had something to do with a woman who's some sort of healer/herbalist, is pressed into service in a harem, is "redeemed," and winds up being mentored by a Muslim physician. Can anyone recall the title of the other book I'm referring to?
Thanks!
Bob
The book was The Ordeal Of Elizabeth Marsh I believe. :)
I love Geraldine Brooks' writings - so well researched. As a footnote to your recent discussion may I add, I was fascinated to note the same events appearing in the children's book by Jill Paton Walsh, A Parcel of Patterns, 1983. It is immediately apparent they used the same sources and both told a wondrous tale.
Hi, enjoyed the book: learned a ton.
There were words, however, with a later-then 1666 first-recorded use:
e.g. timothy grass - 1736
pinafore - 1782
aubergine 1794