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7 internautes sur 7 ont trouvé ce commentaire utile :
Belief systems and prejudices as equal plagues to the Plague, Oct. 11 2002
Par Un client
Anna Frith is a servant; she is poor, illiterate and she is the daughter of an abusive drunkard. Getting rid of another mouth to feed is his goal. Anna is married young and is widowed shortly thereafter. Her only respite from her terrible loneliness, especially after the death of her two babes, is the hours she spends in the home of Reverend Mompellion. He is a pensive, studious man, married to a gentle, nature loving wife, Elinor. Anna knows her place as a servant and at first finds it uncomfortable to respond to the friendly overtures made by her employer's wife, who also teaches Anna to read.Elinor is an enthusiastic gardener and has a growing interest in the herbs being cultivated by an ostracized family of women who are suspected of being witches, despite the fact that many of their herbal preparations have proven beneficial to the local villagers. From the beginning of this engaging novel the reader experiences a growing tension and increasing realization that something will happen to this tiny village and its mostly poor inhabitants. And that "something" is the Bubonic plague that in reality struck an actual English village upon which this story is based. Anna is so key a character that it is within her household that the person carrying the plague, a vagabond-type tailor, actually sets in motion the larger plot. How will persons of varying socioeconomic levels and belief systems deal with a plague? Will it force some to rely on their destructive superstitions? Will it be a catapult to positive change? What will its devastating force do to the small minded, the idealistic, the religious minded? These questions are all dealt with in this beautifully written novel. Reverend Mompellion is a good, idealistic man. Because he's educated, he and his wife are invited to the homes of some of the area wealthy. It is at these gatherings that he first learns that those "who have" will flee the area for London, expecting to escape suffering and death. Because the plague struck during 1655 and 1666, there was no understanding that the Bubonic Plague was carried by fleas from infected rats. Undoubtedly, escaping the poor, dirty peasants would bring a higher social strata some insurance from being affiliated with and, therefore, infected by the underclass! Death escapes no family. Some are decimated within days. Yet various neighbors assist one another, nurse one another, one another's children...and ultimately bury them. Others are convinced the witches are the cause of the plague; a murder takes place. All the while Reverend Mompellion keeps his head and is a strong, persistent leader who convinces his parishoners of two things: God is testing them; and they should voluntarily quarantine themselves so as not to spread the plague any further. Reverend Mompellion strikes a deal with a leader of a neighboring community to bring food and supplies to a certain point beyond which none of the villagers will stray. The community continually shrinks as its inhabitants die in increasing numbers. Church services are eventually stopped indoors, hoping lack of close proximity will quell the plague. Services are held for decimated numbers outside. Yet, Reverend Mompellion prevails in his unflagging belief in God....until tragedy strikes his own household and his own faith is crushed. The novel's ending is very much a surprise. As I earlier indicated, some grow in knowledge, spirit, understanding and generosity. Others do not! Belief systems are shaken but the results are not necessarily negative! Well written; well told; engrossing!
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Year of Wonders, Déc 21 2008
Awesome story although I thought the main female character just a bit too plucky for 1665 - I could imagine all the domestic chores, caring for animals and birthing babies etc. but I found women mining slate without much experience a little on the eyebrow raising side. Nevertheless the book resonated with me and it gets my recommendation.
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When will she write another novel???????????????, Juil 13 2004
I enjoyed this book despite being kind of a squeamish person. It wasn't that this book was gruesome but rather I generally don't read about diseases and death. However, I took a chance and read this book, and am seriously considering reading it for a second time, that is if I didn't lend it out unknowingly. I have been checking the bookshelves religously awaiting a new novel by Geraldine Brooks, but sadly I keep on looking. Please write another novel. Please! P.S. Excuse me for not going into depth about the book's content. It seems there are nearly 175 other reviews, so you can check there.
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Historical fiction at its best, Jui 20 2004
I picked up Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks for two reasons: our school librarian highly recommended it, and I discovered that Brooks is the wife of one of my favorite non-fiction authors, Tony Horwitz (Confederates in the Attic and Blue Latitudes). Although a book about the plague in 17th century England, this is not just a story about disease and death, but also a moving tale about survival, passion, compassion and unlikely heroes. Based on a true story, this historical novel weaves a fabulous and heartwarming tale about how one small town in Derbyshire dealt with the plague. Year of Wonders is told through the eyes of a lowly and uneducated peasant girl named Anna Frith. Anna is a young widow with two young sons. She goes to work for the Anglican rector and his wife, Michael and Elinor Mompellion. Elinor takes Anna under her wing, and becomes not just a teacher and mentor, but also a friend. The town is thrown into chaos when it is discovered that the plague has struck. Rector Mompellion convinces the town that they must close their borders and that all residents must stay (to prevent it spreading to other villages). He also offers a promise that no one will suffer alone, and he convinces the earl from a neighboring town to provide food and other necessities. What follows is a tale of tragedy and triumph. The plague lasted over a year, and two thirds of the townspeople perished. Mompellion, Elinor and Anna take on the task of ministering to the town in ways that are heroic. They find themselves battling not only this dreaded disease, but also superstition, greed, and even murder. And despite their own tragedies, they discover that their efforts make them stronger and that they have more courage than they thought possible. Brooks' writing is truly elegant, and Anna's thoughts and words are written in the lyrical but simple cadence of the 1660's. Anna describes her husband; "his hands were big, cracked things with broken, blackened nails, and his idea of lovemaking was a swift and sweaty tumble, a spasm and then sleep." I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There is also much historical research including not only the plague itself, but also of the living conditions in a small English village during the 17th Century. While this is Geraldine Brooks' first novel, she has two nonfiction books to her credit including Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women. I will definitely be reading more of this talented author.
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A Beautiful Novel, Mai 25 2004
Powerful. Evocative. Emotional.
The textured landscape of the Plague Village and the bizarre cast of characters come alive in this masterfully written novel. Anna Frith, the heroine, is an insightful woman, humble and honest. Her integrity is inspiring and her development throughout the story is climactic. She breathes--and the reader exhales. This is a beautiful and believable story--flawlessly written. I anticipate reading more from Geraldine Brooks.
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Outstanding Historical Fiction, Mai 19 2004
Since I was young I have always loved historical fiction and this book is one of the best I have ever read. Brooks creates an engrossing and enthralling world through the eyes of maid Anna Frith as she sees her rural english village ravaged by the plague. While some scenes are rather graphic about what the plague actually does to your body, they were done tastefully and in a way that is not meant to disgust, but simply to inform the reader. The plot is excelent, both interesting and well written. My one slight complaint is the ending which seems a bit unbelievable, but with the greatness of the rest of the novel, it is easily compenstated for.
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Just what I wanted to read..., Avril 22 2004
Par Un client
Everything about this book, 'Year Of Wonders,' went together like the perfect meal...true, I probably eat more than I read novels, but, that's another thing -- this is the first story to grab me in a long time. I LOVED it! And what beautiful, artistic language, from the pen of Geraldine Brooks. Flowed right along. There's an especially good balance of historical/factual bits with the more emotional, personal details of the heroine. Wonderful!
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I loved this book, Mars 9 2004
Par Un client
"Year of Wonders" was a great read. It's one of those books that sticks with you and you continue to think about long after you are finished. Anna Frith is an inspiration in that she continues to help others even after suffering so much.
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Wonder-ful Surprise, Fév 25 2004
Par Un client
I wasn't so keen on reading a book about the plague when my book club decided on this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The book is more than about the plague itself. The characters are unforgettable and the dilemma that they are plunged into makes this book a real page turner.
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A book of wonders!, Fév 2 2004
The cover caught my attention at the aiport when I noticed the much smaller subtitle "A Novel of the Plague". What I discovered was a true treasure. Anna lives life in a small relatively isolated village in England during the infamous plague year of 1666. The novel is voiced from her perspective as her village of 300 souls is wracked with not only the plague but the emotions, psychologies, and economics that traveled hand in hand with the dreaded disease. To look upon such a year of loss and devistation with anything but sorry would be difficult. But Anna goes even further to find it a year of discovery, learning and growth. This book is sad in places, a bit gory in some places, but inspiring throughout. The author is to be commended for this fine piece of writing and it is a book I highly recommend!
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Accueil Amazon
