Rating: 
Summary: Painful, but enlightening
Review: This is the first book - fiction or non-fiction - that I have read about "The Plague." I knew that "Year of Wonders" would be dreadfully sad, but I embarked on the adventure anyway. The author, Geraldine Brooks, uses this historic backdrop to explore human nature and how people have used religion to be both more and less than they should be. When the people of this town are threatened by disease, death and isolation, their actions in the throes of terror is enthralling. Some become selfless. Some go crazy. Most re-interpret their religion. Some become mean, spiteful, violent. Many look for a scapegoat. A very few keep their heads, and just try to do the right thing. I will say that the ending seems to go beyond the reasonable story that leads up to it. However, this book is well worth the emotional angst and the eventual skepticism that it evokes.
Rating: 
Summary: Last impressions....
Review: This is an elegantly written novel based on a beautiful and remarkable true story. The characters are captivating and the narrative is intellectually rich. I just wish that the ending were not so badly botched. The book has so much to say that is brilliantly conveyed. It was sad to see the novel falling apart as it approached the final pages. Reading the far-fetched "Epilogue" almost ruined everything: my last impression is that the author a.) didn't know how to stop, and b.) wanted to make some additional socio-political point that was simply not supported by either the history or the fictional story-line.
Rating:
Summary: Sad, but a good read
Review: The subject matter is a sad one. Not too much about the book is uplifting. I found it to be an interesting tale about the plague since I had read little in the past about such a horrible thing. If you don't mind a gloomy and pretty much predictable book but are interested in reading about the plague in a non-textbook way then this is for you. I did enjoy reading the authors after-notes about her finding the village and the story behind the story. You also can find more intersting info online about the actual village.
Rating:
Summary: Great historical research, but little payoff
Review: "Year of Wonders" tells the story of Anna, an 18 year old mother-of-two, who lives to witness a horrible period in England's history: the Plague. In the period of one year, she watches as her friends, neighbors and family succumb to this horrible disease. The novel is as much about the Plague as it is about the struggle of mankind to survive in the face of such overwhelming horror. I'm extremely fascinated by the plague, so I found the subject matter of the book captivating. I also thought the historical research was impeccable. The way Brooks described life in a small village in the 17th century was enchanting. The characterization was good, for the most part, as well. I also really liked the ending. However, I disliked the writing style. It was flowery, poetic, lyrical, but too much so. I found that reading "Year of Wonders" took a lot of my concentration, and I found myself easily bored by the flowery descriptions. I also had a hard time keeping track of all the villagers. There were so many names mentioned in passing, and when they were brought up again chapters later, it was hard to remember who the person was, and why they were important. Unfortunately, I also didn't like any of the characters very much. I was unable to relate to Anna. She seemed too modern at times, while other times she would cower in fear at the slightest threat. For a "strong" heroine, her character traits were surprising and unrealistic. Elinor seemed like the incarnation of a saint. She was utterly perfect, and once again, unrealistic. Mr. Mompellion rubbed me the wrong way from the start, and it became increasingly clear to me that I didn't like him at all as the book drew to a close. At least his actions and dark side are explained. If you're looking for a light-hearted novel, this isn't it. I would recommend it only for those who enjoy flowery descriptions and poetic language, and are drawn to the subject of the plague.
Rating: 
Summary: great period piece, but had too many soap opera moments
Review: Geraldine Brooks' research into the period and the plague is flawless -- her details regarding food, medicine, dress, class, and religion are intriguing and flow seamlessly into her narrative. Furthermore, her characters are deliciously well-drawn. Nevertheless, the final quarter of the book reads like a melodramatic soap opera. For a novel centered on something as heart-wrenching as the devastation of a small town, the author doesn't need to resort to far-fetched plotting to keep the readers' hooked. Also, the narrator's sensibility is far too modern for 17th century England -- I forgave it initially, but by the end, it became too much...
Rating: 
Summary: Anno Mirabilis, indeed!
Review: Curled up with this book while suffering from a severe URI made relevant this interesting read. Tightly written, the author controlled the plot beautifully: I couldn't put this book down! The protagonist was credible, the history authentic, and the story provided hope in the midst of horror. As an anthropologist I found this book enlightening and informative. It is a must read not only for Anglophiles and students of diseases, but for anyone who has walked through dark times with hope. I highly recommend this. HOWEVER, a disclaimer for the last chapter must be made as it wasn't as authentic as I would have liked--but then hope attained is a 'wonder'anyway.
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Summary: Scary to think it was based on a true story...
Review: Anna lives in a village in England with her two young boys, quite peacefully. She even takes in a young tailor from England. However, when he dies mysteriously, not much is thought about it at first. Not until more and more begin falling sick, and the villagers realize what is among them- The Plague. Along with the priest's help, the villagers decide they must close themselves off from the rest of the world, in order to stop the Plague from spreading. The choices people make and the way people act when they no longer they have anywhere to turn is downright shocking, and extremely interesting too. My only problems with this book is that sometimes I felt Anna was too "modern" for her times, like she was telling the story in the modern day. I also did not find the ending very believable either. That said, I still think it is a book that shows you what it would have been like to be thrust into what seems like a horribly hopeless situation.
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Summary: Brilliant, good show, good show !!!!!
Review: This book was amazing, Im not actually done but what I've read has been enough. I love the whole english village shpeal, and even at one very important part of the book, I was laughing, "Let's float her!!!!!" reminded me of: "The search for the Holy Grail", the scene in the movie where they try to get a woman burned for witchcraft, for the purpose of entrtainment. Which actually is very similiar to the novel. I think this book is great for several reasons: language, irony, and drunken stupers..."Ye need't read it"
Rating:
Summary: started off well, but lost its impetus
Review: Yes, I agree with the other reviewers that Brook's style IS gorgeous, and lyrical. And I do hope that she writes other fiction, because I think she has a lot to offer. But I got bored with this story, and I'm not sure why. Maybe the plot was a little too sloppy, or the story iself just took too long to unfold. Her descriptions of the 17th-century plague that is carried from London to a small Derbyshire village by an itinerant tailor are indeed horrific in their details. As villagers begin, one by one, to die, the rest face a choice: do they flee their village in hope of outrunning the plague or do they stay? The lord of the manor and his family pack up and leave. The rector, Michael Mompellion, argues forcefully that the villagers should stay put, isolate themselves from neighboring towns and villages, and prevent the contagion from spreading. All this is seen through the eyes of the liberal minded narrator Anna Frith, and what a complex character she is. I can see why people loved this book, unfortunately, I didn't love it enough to give it a five star recommendation. Michael
Rating:
Summary: Year of Wonders - Quick review
Review: This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. The story told is mesmerizing. So well written that you become a villager yourself, experiencing the terrible plague year of 1666. The characters and their personalities are vivid and pure to form. A must read....you won't be able to put the book down!
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