"Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague" by Geraldine Brooks

A haunting story of historical fiction that takes place in England during 1666, "Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague" by Geraldine Brooks chronicles the life of Anna, a courageous and strong young woman who, through the powers of science, helps others survive in the small town of Eyam, "Plague Village." Supposedly, the plague initially spread to this actual village of Eyam by disease-ridden cloth, and the village decided to quarantine itself in order to stop the spread of the plague. This terrible disease took entire families and in one year two thirds of the townspeople within Eyam fell to the plague. The thought of this sacrifice is heartbreaking, which makes Anna's story ultimately uplifting. She grows so much as a student, as a friend, and as a caregiver throughout this year of the plague, and that's really one of the greatest "wonders" in the book. It's quite a page-turner and suited very well for fans of historical fiction with strong female characters and readers who enjoy stories that explore how different people handle adversity, death, loss of faith, and the conflict of science versus religion. Highly recommended.

308 pages.