Year of Wonders

 An early novel by Geraldine Brooks, Year of Wonders.  This is a book I read years ago when it was first published.  The plot and a few individual events from the book have stayed with me all these years.  This book made a lasting impression on me when there are books I have read a month ago that I really cannot remember well.

Also I will say I am not someone who likes to reread books, there are so many new books coming out that it is hard to take time away from reading new books.  But I did reread this book to lead a book discussion about it. IT has definitely stood the test of time.  It is now even more relevant than it was when it was originally written.  It also is still a fascinating story to read about.

It is a story of life in a small English village in the 1660s.  Based on a true account by the clergyman of the town.  This plot sets out the story of Anna Frith, who is a young widow with two young sons.  When a new  tailor commes to town and needs a room to rent, Anna offers him a room in her small house.  They  never really know how the plague came to the village of Eyam, but it is thought that a delivery of cloth from London starts the plague that after taking the life of the tailor, starts to spread like wildfire through the villagers.  

This is a story of strength, love, loss and how to stay strong through devastation.  Anna, the Rector, Mr. Michael Mompellion and his wife Elinor are the strongest members of the village and they try  to help the community members  through the illness, death and to keep the peace as they villagers get more and more belligerent as the Black Palgue continues to affect their family members and friends.

So well written, a compelling novel.