BOOKWORMS
Geraldine Brooks
Year of Wonders
By Jane and Ian Bentley
The Bookworms gathered last week at Pam and Andrew’s house to discuss Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
Pam led the group with some guiding questions that explored the novel’s structure and its depiction of a community under extreme pressure in the English village of Eyam during the 1660s.
Andrew shared a photo of the village church as it is today, discovered during his research.
While the resilient and resourceful Anna Frith tells the story, some questioned whether she is truly central or whether the village itself is the real protagonist.
The setting inspired reflection on Puritanism, feudal hierarchy, the scapegoating of women as witches, the devastating impact of the plague, and the origins of quarantine (“forty days”), with parallels drawn to COVID-19 around isolation and responses to authority.
Vincent valued the insight into the structure and culture of a 17th-century English village, including its darker side, where a rigid, Puritanical faith shaped behaviour through suspicion, accusations of witchcraft, and harsh discipline. Jane Drury spoke with enthusiasm about the writing style, particularly the characterisation and the handling of relationships, which gave the story a strong sense of authenticity. Gordon added a helpful medical perspective, noting the unlikelihood of turning a breech baby once labour had begun, prompting discussion about the plausibility of some elements of the novel.
The character of the rector, Michael Mompellion, drew particular attention. Initially a stabilising leader, he becomes increasingly authoritarian and eventually morose and isolated, raising questions about leadership, faith, and control. Anna’s development highlighted resilience and agency, while the role of women opened discussion about power and vulnerability.
Trust emerged as a central theme, as fear and suspicion gradually fractured the community. The novel’s exploration of human behaviour in crisis remains both insightful and relevant to this day.