Year of Wonders

I believe I would have loved this story if the reader had not been a nasal laconic reader. Although I finished the entire book, it was difficult because of the reader. I know it was read by the author so that is her portrayal of what she imagined the characters to be, but it prohibited me from fully appreciating the story. She is a talented author, but should have left the reading to someone else.

This book is very well written, and the characters are vivid and alive - sorry actually many of them are dead by the end of the book. It is about the plague, after all. The author intensely transports you back to this era and surprises the reader at every turn. The story is so well crafted that I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and found myself listening late into the night. Not for the squeamish, there is no lack of realistic detail about the hardships of the period and the nightmare of the plague. I love the author's style of writing, having gotten hooked with Caleb's Crossing. The author reads her own book again, but in a more ordinary spoken style, rather that the careful enunciation of Caleb's Crossing that irritated some readers (I liked it). I highly recommend this book of fiction that relies heavily on historical fact, based on a true story. It is fearful, horrifying, suspenseful, colorful, engaging, and irresistable.

I gave the book the 5 stars it deserves. However, this recording illustrates, again, that authors are not readers and should not try to be.

I LOVED this book. I love Geraldine Brooks in general but this was by far my favorite and a must listen. I was sursprised by the few negative comments on the narration, I found it outstanding and perfectly suited to the story. Very, very well done. I was never so disappointed to have an audiobook finish. The story is grim and gruesome, but the detail and perserverance are inspiring. Simply amazing, do not miss this one if you enjoy historical fiction, especially this time period even a little bit.

Brooks puts the reader right into the middle of a 17th century English village that has been struck by the plague. Based on real events, the story recounts the village's decision to seal itself off from the surrounding countryside in order to contain the sickness. The first person point of view is from an intelligent, thoughtful young widow who keeps sheep and works as a maid to the Rector and his wife. The bitter conflicts and heartbreaking effects of the rapidly spreading deadly illness within the town come alive in this riveting story. The author is the narrator and I can not imagine a better performance. This is an emotional story that kept me awake late into the night listening.

This audio book is beautifully read and makes the story come vividly to life. A wonderful read!

I loved the intimate look into the life of a woman from this time period. How her social order and religious restrictions, and the rapid collapse of both, did not make her the 2 dimension character we tend to suppose from history books. Anna is has good heart while still being capable of selfishness and crude impulses. Anna is wonderfully human.

Anna was by far my favorite character and the best drawn one as well. Michael and Elinor were more the personification of self-imposed misery hidden by a mask of perfection. Some of the minor characters brilliantly shine for a moment as their time of the stage passes. I would especially call out the Quaker child, Mary and the Pantry Boy, Brand.

Ms. Brook's tempo keep the story moving slower than I would have read and, like a metronome, convened to me a sense of Anna plodding through the year as she struggled to simply place one foot in front of the other. That perseverance and determination seems core to Anna character. To me, that was as important as the accent or the pronunciations.

This is my second GB book and I loved them both! Ill be purchasing my third today. I highly recommend this audio book.

When I previously read about the books subject, and the fact that it was read by the author, I passed. Then a couple of friends mentioned the author and recommended her works. I think this is one of the best works I have heard from Audible! Since reading it I have gone through two other of hers and continue to be a dedicated fan. Read a bit about Brooks on Google, it sounds like she has done a lot in her few years on terafirma so far. Thank you Geraldine Brooks for introducing me to so many great characters. Chuck

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although a sad story at times, I found it very interesting and entertaining. What a horrific event they had to live through. Jennifer