The Year of Wonders

Geraldine Brooks

Fourth Estate, 2002, £6.99

ISBN 1 841 15458 X

Rating: ****

On the Pennine route, between Manchester and Sheffield, there is an intriguing sign marking the turning to “plague village.” This sign points towards the rustic village of Eyam, a picture of countryside tranquillity, complete with flower boxes, coffee shop, and, more unusually, a museum detailing the tragic events after the discovery of plague among the villagers in 1666.

These events are seen through the eyes of Anna Frith, widow, mother, and servant to the rector and his wife, Elinor. Beginning in 1665, The Year of Wonders describes the unfolding of the plague outbreak: the arrival of the first, unsuspected carrier, the unwitting actions which spread the contagion, the villagers decision to isolate themselves with the sickness, and the eventual release of the survivors. Anna witnesses the breakdown of the established village order and sees her friends and neighbours struggling to adjust to emotional loss and physical hardship.

One of the main themes of the book is the villagers search for an explanation for the disaster. Divine wrath, far fetched medical theories, and black magic are suggested, but far from creating a sense of modern smugness, the reader is drawn into the struggle to gain a sense of control.

The novel is not just the story of Eyams plague, it is also the story of Anna herself as she tells of her childhood, marriage, and growing friendship with Elinor, despite differences in their class and education. Inevitably this friendship does not always run smoothly, but the dire circumstances create a deep bond which continues to influence Anna throughout her life.

Even with todays modern understanding of the epidemiology of Yersinis pestis and its rodent hosts, there is still much mystery surrounding the events in Eyam. Geraldine Brooks does not claim to present the definitive answer, but the book provides a wealth of historical detail and vivid descriptions of the village and its surrounding countryside, which make it easy to imagine oneself wandering in the woods and grants an insight into village life.

Unfortunately, I found the end to Annas own story slightly disappointing, as if the author was trying to compensate for the grimness with some last minute “fairy godmothering.” Still, overall, it is a beautifully written and thought provoking book which successfully conveys how quickly normality can degenerate in exceptional circumstances.