Folger Book Club convenes on Thursday, September 5 with a discussion of Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. To get ready for the conversation, we compiled some introductory information on this frequently banned book set in a plague year in England.
What is Year of Wonders about?
When an infected bolt of cloth carries plague from London to an isolated village, a housemaid named Anna Frith emerges as an unlikely heroine and healer.
Through Anna’s eyes we follow the story of the fateful year of 1666, as she and her fellow villagers confront the spread of disease and superstition.
As death reaches into every household and villagers turn from prayers to murderous witch-hunting, Anna must find the strength to confront the disintegration of her community and the lure of illicit love.
As she struggles to survive and grow, a year of catastrophe becomes instead annus mirabilis, a “year of wonders.”
Inspired by the true story of Eyam, a village in the rugged hill country of England, Year of Wonders is a richly detailed evocation of a singular moment in history.
Critical Reception
” Brooks has clearly done her homework, and in scenes like these she gives us what we want from historical fiction: a glimpse into the strangeness of history that simultaneously enables us to see a reflection of ourselves.” —The New York Times
“. . . Year of Wonders is a staggering fictional debut that matches journalistic accumulation of detail to natural narrative flair.” —The Guardian
“The novel glitters . . . A deep imaginative engagement with how people are changed by catastrophe.” —The New Yorker
Why did we choose this book?
The Folger Shakespeare Library’s collection explores not only Shakespeare’s life and works, but also the plays’ historical context, source material, critical and performance histories, and the ways in which they inspire and are adapted by contemporary novelists. Folger Book Club explores connections between contemporary fiction and the Folger’s mission, collection, and programming.
Year of Wonders was named one of the most banned books from 2010-2019 by the American Library Association. It’s subject matter concerns plague, a constant concern in Shakespeare’s time, while it’s status as a banned book support our “Whose Democracy?” season, asking questions about censorship and education.
About the author: Geraldine Brooks
From Penguin Random House
Geraldine Brooks is the author of six novels, including Horse, People of the Book, Year of Wonders, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning March. She has also written acclaimed works of nonfiction, including Nine Parts of Desire and Foreign Correspondence. Her writing has been translated into over 25 languages and has collectively sold millions of copies around the world. Born and raised in Australia, Brooks now divides her time between Sydney and Martha’s Vineyard.
Content Transparency
Year of Wonders includes references to potentially sensitive subjects. Expand below for a list of content (may include spoilers).
- Child death
- Violence against women
- Detailed descriptions of traumatic births,
- Painful death
- Self-harm
September’s Bookstore Partner
This month, we are excited to partner with Kramers, the first bookstore/café in Washington DC.
In addition to possessing a lively, convivial atmosphere, and a full-service bar, Kramers stages hundreds of book-related events each year, both in the store and elsewhere. From tourists to neighbors, college students to the political elite, there is something for everyone at Kramers! Learn more at kramers.com.
We would like to thank the following organization for its generous support of this program
Join us for an upcoming event
Not Just Another Day Off
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
“How to Tell My Story”: Language and Identity in Othello
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