The Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is a beautifully written tale of a small village's attempt at survival.  A traveling tailor has brought the Plague to a small English village.  Through the eyes of the narrator, a housemaid Anna Frith, the reader follows the struggles that torment her and the rest of the village. 


There is much more to this story, and at times these other plot elements seem to replace the importance of Anna's story.  However, I was most distracted by the ending of the novel.  While I understand where Brooks' idea developed, I think her taking the novel in the direction she did made for a much weaker ending.  I was actually disappointed in the ending! 

The story provided much information about the Plague and measures that were taken during the 1600s to reverse the disease.  I especially enjoyed the fact that I was learning about the Plague while reading a very pleasant story about a courageous young woman.