Posted on: Sunday, November 10, 2002

BOOK REVIEWS
'Wonders' astounds, relates to the present

• Inside information on 'Year of Wonders'

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Books Editor

Advertiser readers dived into latest book club selection, "Year of Wonders: a Novel of the Plague" by Geraldine Brooks, with a bit of skepticism, followed generally by appreciation and, in a few cases, more skepticism at what some considered too Hollywood an ending.

It's discussion time again for the club. Here are excerpts from comments we received.

"Knocked me on the floor." Dan X. Hall of 'Aiea was the only reader to note a subtle joke that Brooks was playing — setting the ending of her book in a place famously portrayed in another novel about an epidemic, Albert Camus' "The Plague." After he confirmed this, he said, "what I found out knocked me on the floor. ... This is a remarkable, subtle treatment of the subject by the author that simply astounds me." (See Brooks' comment in the accompanying Q. and A.)

"Rather unbelievable." Diantha Goo of Honolulu enjoyed the book, she said, but found Anna's reactions unbelievable. "Her knowledge of the outside world is limited to the stories she hears from the traveling tailor, books she reads from the rectory library, and, perhaps, some discussion with Mrs. Mompellion ... (but) ... her reactions to Mr. Mompellion's revelations about his former marriage show a level of perspicacity and an acute discernment that a person of twice that age and experience would be hard-pressed to demonstrate." Still, she said, "I enjoyed reading the story. This author can really write, and her descriptions conjure up the atmosphere of time and place very effectively." Goo wishes we would create a "guest book" online that would allow readers to interact. We're considering that very option.

"The book resonates with me." Lilian M. Jeskey Lubag, a book club regular already, saw bits of her own experience in "Year of Wonders." "The book resonates with me because of a number of similarities between Mr. Mompellion's narrow and dogmatic beliefs about a punitive God and some of the dogma with which I was raised. Anna's growth process and literal trials by plague, fire and water cause her to be more assertive in learning about and appreciating the skill of others who are suspected witches because they are somehow different from the mainstream, and she elects not be hindered by her own religious beliefs."

"Critical of artifice." April Boswell of Kahalu'u/Ahuimanu spent considerable time pondering all the questions we posed about this novel, which she appreciated for sensual imagery and compelling story. "I'm very aware of and critical of artifice in a novel, but finding none was easily led, intrigued. The book had elements of the Victorian novel in its 'inevitability,' which balanced the modern sensibility of Anna. I felt the author well supported Anna's intellectual and spiritual development given her personality, upbringing and experiences, however."

"Hollywood finale." Ronda Taylor of Waipahu found the story concept interesting but would have preferred a simple dramatic ending to the one supplied. "Perhaps the author thought the over-the-top conclusion would help sell a 'Year of Wonders' screenplay." (See Geraldine Brooks' answer to this in the accompanying Q. and A.)

"Our 'Plague' is the impending war." Shannon Daleiden of Manoa, who loved Anna's "wonder" at all things, had an interesting take on the question of how the story relates to our time: "(The military) are our villagers. War, like a plague, is an ugly, lethal thing that cannot be blamed on God or stopped by God, but can be controlled by human actions. I hope that we do not invite this 'plague' among ourselves, but if we do, our villagers will fight to keep it from coming back to the village."

"Something you wouldn't find otherwise." Geoff Kragen of Roseville, Calif., participating via the Internet, said he was disappointed the book wasn't about Hawai'i, but persevered because "the purpose of a readers' group is to discover something you wouldn't find otherwise." The book could have been dull and depressing, he said, but "Brooks makes her characters come to life and makes us care about them ... the horror of the period is balanced with Anna and Elinor's commitment to life and service."

"Inspired." Marilyn Morikawa of Pukalani, Maui, who has been with us from the beginning, has allowed herself to be inspired by each of the books to do something or make some change. This one caused her to want to "see the misty world of England and the brightness of the Barbary Coast. I will also tend my garden with greater care and seek herbs and plants of remedy."

And, while you're at it, what about an actual book club meeting every couple of months, probably in downtown Honolulu. Would you attend, assuming the time frame worked for you?

Thanks...now here are the full text of some comments we received on Year of Wonders, A Novel of the Plague, by Geraldine Brooks...

Dear Ms. Adams: Thank you for recommending this book. I would not have found it without your guidance. I see you enjoy novels with radical plot twists and surprises. It would be nice if there was a guestbook attached to this club where one could exchange comments with the other readers. I enjoyed this book although I found the description of Anna's reactions to the events of Leaf Fall 1666 to be rather unbelievable. Anna was about 19 or 20 (it depends on which math one choses to believe--on one page it talks about 2 sons in 3 years of marriage and in another it talks about Jamie's 3-year-old laughter). She's the child of an alchoholic and abusive father, who was beaten senseless not once. In addition she appears to live in a society which encourages abusive and intimidating behavior toward women, e. g., her father can still threaten her with a brack despite the fact that she's a wife and mother and no longer living in his house. Her knowledge of the outside world is limited to stories she hears from the traveling tailor, books she reads from the rectory library, and perhaps, some discussions with Mrs. Montpillion. Her reaction to the Reverend Montpillion's revelations about his former marriage show a level of perspecacity and an acute discernment of his character that a person of twice that age and experience would be hard pressed to demonstrate whether or not he/she had survived a plague. Quibbling aside, I enjoyed reading the story. This author can really write and her descriptions conjure up the atmosphere of time and place very effectively.

• • •

Congratulations! You have picked an excellent book! Thus far in our virtual book club, the various "picks" have been pleasantly varied in writing style, topics and locales. I liked each pick for itself, its own uniqueness and the enjoyment and learning each brought me. For example, "Makai" taught this transplanted New Englander more things about my new home of 30+ years. Nonetheless, "The Wonder Years" has stolen my heart. Why? The writing style is excellent; it flows gracefully and smoothly as it describes dark, fearsome times. Yet, it is not dark in its style and forthrightly portrays what happens to human beings during times of adversity. Some rise to the occasion and grow incredibly (as does Anna) and others debase themselves (as does her father). It gets to be trite when one hears over and over "I just didn't want it to end." For me a voracious reader, somewhere in the middle of any current read, I look forward to the next book on an ever-toppling pile by my bed, . This time I kept glancing ahead to the shrinking remaining pages! Quarter inch became one eighth! Why? I go back to the wonderful article you published a few weeks ago about Professor MacMillan's modus operandi in teaching his literature students how to dissect any book. In this case, the book resonates with me because of a number of similarities between Mr. Mompellion's narrow and dogmatic beliefs about a punitive God and some of the dogma with which I was raised. Anna's growth process and literal trials by plague, fire and water, cause her to be more assertive, to learn and appreciate the skills of others who are suspected witches because they are somehow different from the mainstream, and she elects not to be hindered by her own religious beliefs. Which is a long-winded way of bringing me to my question for Geraldine Brooks: Anna surprises us all by ending up in a foreign land where the dominant culture is Arabic and the religion completely different than her own. As Anna's concept of God is ultimately changed, is that the case w/ Ms. Brooks because of her own journalistic experience in the Middle East? Here's to reading, plumbing the depths of possible meanings, and broad-based discussions to appreciate the views of others! Thanks!

• • •

Second posting, in response to one from Wanda Adams, who opines that Anna's unusual growth is because of her trial by fire.

You bring up a very good question. How is it in any tragedy, that some grow, move on and advance in wisdom and understanding vs. those who are undone and become hardened? Regarding Anna, though she is low born, so to speak, she is an observer, keen to learn and not at all small minded and restricted to prevailing attitudes. I think the latter is the key. Over time she is unwilling to remain a captive of a constricting belief system. That is, the religion that views God as punitive, constantly in a testing and challenging mode. When her view of God changes dramatically, she is still able to move on and expand her mind to encompass other modes that would help mankind, i.e, foreign medicines, other modes of addressing illness. Ultimately Anna is not defeated by antiquated modes of thinking that no longer fit.

• • •

Dear Wanda and Book Club Members,

This 3rd book, "Year of Wonder", has also made a deep impression on me, actually so deep that I can't or don't want to share my deepest feelings. But I do appreciate the opportunity to read this book and experience Anna and Elinor. I hurried to the Makawao Library as soon as the book became available. I wondered about the title and description...A novel of the Plague... but was determined to read this new book.

I read the first 3 chapters, I thought to myself.. "Oh, no, another book about death, Elinor, Anna's children... I know they're going to die." I put the book down for a week and a half, not wanting to continue. Then something in me began to stir..."there is more to Anna, how can she continue living? I have to read and find out."

Tomorrow is Oct. 6, my birthday. So, perhaps I was meant to finish reading, "Year of Wonder" today as a gift to remind me ..

• (132-3)Why did He raise us up out of clay...and then send us back so soon to be dust when we yet had useful years before us?.... — I often ask this same question about the death of my daughter when she was only 17.
• (152) ...how futile it is to wallow in regret for that which cannot be changed and how atonement might be made... — Yes, I have regrets.
• (215)... but simply a thing in Nature......we, all of us, spent a very great deal of time pondering these questions that, in the end, we could not answer... — life has many, many questions which I wish I had answers to, but it is not to be
• (286)I knew then that this was how I was meant to go on: away from death and toward life, from birth to birth, from seed to blossom, living my life amongst wonders.... — Yes, we always have to go on, but how I wish to have a great awakening, so I can know my purpose in living.
• (291)For you grieve, and yet you live, and are useful, and bring life to others. One does not have to believe, after all, to bring comfort to those who yet do. — As Michael found strength in Anna's life, I too felt this is the meaning I am to understand about my life.
• (301)... I cannot say that I have faith anymore. Hope, perhaps... — There is always HOPE... I will think about this.. faith or hope, hope or faith???

So, what am I inspired to do by this novel... well, to see the misty world of England and the brightness of the Barbary Coast. I will also tend my garden with greater care and seek herbs and plants of remedy.

MAHALO for selecting this book.

• • •

This was an excellent choice. The characters became real within pages. Keeping in mind, the century and part of the world, I enjoyed the experience. It did not seem apparent to compare that little rural town with living on an island (which is a world class resort destination and strategic military duty tour). Mainly, I appreciated the story of a STRONG woman!!!! The strength in character of Anna grew progressively. I particularly liked the analogy of the flickering flame, which when nurtured became very strong and the light for many.....

• • •

I am writing this e-mail with mixed feelings. I looked forward to the announcement of the new selection and as soon as it was announced, I quickly reserved a copy from the library using the telnet link. My promptness resulted in my being one of the first people to get a copy of the book. I was glad about that. However, after having the book in my possession for only about two days, I left to go on a trip and could not afford to carry a book with me. So, I figured that I would just hurry up after I return and try to read the book before the due date. I was not able to read as quickly as I hoped in part because I wanted to really take in the morsels I was certainly indulging in. From what I read (which was not very much) I knew that I would probably enjoy reading the book in it's entirety and I looked forward to being able to contribute to the discussions. That's when I learned that I was not able to renew the book because of the many holds placed on it and I would probably have to wait another month before I get a copy again. ... I just wanted to thank you once again for choosing a great book, and although I think I will not be able to put my two sense in to the discussions, I look forward to hearing others comment on this incredibly interesting literary piece. ... Take care and happy reading.

• • •

When I read the title and topic of the current book, I though, bummer. It's not about Hawaii in any way. But then again part of being in a reader's group is to discover something you wouldn't find otherwise. Which, brings me to Year of Wonders.

Geraldine Brooks takes a topic which sounds dull at best and depressing at worst. Yet Ms. Brooks makes her characters come to life and makes us care about them. She educates us about a period which most of us probaprobably know little about and at the same time writes and excellent work that may qualify as literature. She presents the courage of some of her characters and so the horror of the period is balanced with the Anna and Elinor's commitment to life and service.

This is a book which I will hirecommendmment to those who are still interested in reading something other than fluff.

Thanks to the Advertiser for bringing it to my attention.

• • •

Here's a little nugget of information that may be of interest to readers of "Year of Wonders".

Maybe you already knew this, but for me it was a startling discovery. At the end of Year of Wonders Geraldine Brooks has Anna traveling to and settling in a place called Oran. i was so impressed by the book that I snooped around the internet to augment my knowledge regarding the plague, the village of Eyam, Derbyshire, etc. i also decided to look up Oran to determine where it is. What i found out knocked me on the floor. Oran is the port city in Algeria that was the setting for Albert Camus' famous novel "The Plague" which is about a year of self-imposed isolation by the inhabitants of that city during an outbreak of Bubonic Plague in the 1940's.

Of course, it is fiction, but Brooks is basically taking the Anna character out of the Plague-ridden setting in England and placing her right in the path of the Plague again which will descend on her grandchildren in about 80 years. This is a remarkable, subtle treatment of the subject by the author that simply astounds me.

• • •

Hello,

Unfortunately, I will be on the Mainland during the next discussion and won't be able to join in, but I was so struck by this book, I had to send my responses to the "Points to Ponder" questions you posted in Sunday's Advertiser.

Q#1: What would make someone stay in a plague village and risk death?

A#1: Ironically, the value of life itself, beyond just one's own. Though fearful, the majority of the villagers that agreed to the quarantine appeared to value life enough to risk their own in order to save those of others. To some, the cost of this value became too high when the losses hit their own homes, but to Anna, all life (animal, plant, human, etc.) was sacred, as exemplified by her constant care for the villagers, the livestock, and ultimately, the Bradford child.

Q#2: If you haven't reached the end yet, jot down how you think the book will end. Later, compare --what led you to the conclusion you drew?

A#2: I'd finished the book by the time I saw these questions, but I did NOT expect it to end the way it did. As I read, I was initially somewhat puzzled by the ending until I came to the place where Anna named the child fathered by Michael Mompellion, "Elinor." This seemed a fitting end to me. I think I had initially expected Michael and Anna to rebuild the village together -- but that would have been much too simplistic and really quite inconsistent and unrealistic, given the changes that they both went through throughout the year.

Q#3: Consider the survivor. What attributes does Anna have that allow her to move on in the face of such loss?

A#3: Anna's values are rock-solid, and she behaves according to these values, throughout, and despite the year's struggles. As mentioned above, she values life, in all its forms, as exemplified by her "wonder" at most everything, and her vivid multi-sensorial descriptions of the environment, the lambs, the children --everything. Life, as mentioned above, is sacred to Anna Frith.

As well, she has a very strong moral sense of right versus wrong, without the dogmatic judgment of others that can accompany such a value. She also appears to have a very strong sense of self, which further develops through her relationships with Elinor (in particular) and Michael.

It's these values, her sampling of true love (with Elinor), and ironically, her losses, (she really has nothing more to lose!) that allow her to go forward.

The character Anna Frith could not rightly end her own life or NOT live it (as Michael did until his "break-through" near the end) -- this would not be consistent with her values -- her "wonder" at everything living.

Q#4: Does this story relate to our time?

A#4: Most definitely. Our "plague" is the impending war, and I cannot help but draw a parallel between Anna and many of the military personnel that will risk their own lives for others' rights to life and freedom.

These people are our villagers. War, like plague, is an ugly, lethal thing that CANNOT be blamed on God or stopped by God, but CAN be controlled by human actions. I hope that we do not invite this "plague" on ourselves, but if we do, our villagers will fight to keep it from coming back to the village.

Other notes: I loved the imagery in this book!! The title "Year of Wonders" was so appropriate, given Anna's "wonder" at all things -- her descriptions of everything were so graphic and strong that I often felt as though I could smell the heather and see the different shades of gray of the atmosphere surrounding the village. A wonderful book!!! Ms. Brooks did an amazing job!!!

PS: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read 3 chapters of 'Makai' and just couldn't tolerate the main character, so I didn't read the rest of it. I was THRILLED with the choice of this one -- keep up the good work!!!

• • •

Dear Ms. Adams,

I finished Year of Wonders -- a beautiful book, wonderfully employed. I was impressed with how easily I entered the world Ms. Brooks conjured, so adept was she at weaving together the sensual strands of the life of the village with the compelling tale of the narrator I was coming to know. I'm very aware of and critical of artifice in a novel, but finding none was easily led, intrigued. The book had elements of the Victorian novel in its "inevitability" which balanced the nearly modern sensibility of Anna. I felt that the author well supported Anna's intellectual and spiritual development given her personality, upbringing and experiences, however.

Now, to your questions to ponder:

I think that most villagers would remain in the village and risk death rather than flee, in part by default. These were simple people, probably unaccustomed to travel and without extended family elsewhere who would be warmly welcoming. It would have been more difficult to leave than to stay. Where would they go? How would they maintain themselves? What would happen to their households left behind? In the book, it seems that the plague was seen as some sort of punishment visited upon sinners, and so the villagers were persuaded by a charismatic cleric that they must take their medicine, accept the worst, bear it out and be purged. Since the cause of the plague was not then known, people may not have believed they had any control over the outcome anyway.

I did not jot down how I thought the book would end before I finished reading it, but I did give it some thought. I believed then, perhaps two thirds to three fourths through, that Anna would end up with the rector, as there had been some foreshadowing of that. We knew at the outset of the story that he was alone, therefore knew that his wife would die somehow. When it appeared Elinor would succumb to the plague she asked that Anna be kind to her Michael. He sounded like an attractive if rigid man, but Anna was most attached to his wife. And after Elinor's sudden and unexpected death the two were subsequently thrown together. But they did not remain so. The secrets of his and Elinor's relationship were certainly unanticipated, as was his own twisted religiosity. I was not, mind you, looking forward to this type of ending, of Michael and Anna living happily ever, after as it seemed too pat and romanticized. And I should have expected more from this author.

So it was with relief that I read on to find a more fantastic but satisfying conclusion. Having Anna wind up living as wife of Musalman Bey was one of the less believable details of the story, but the threads were so deftly drawn that I accepted the finished tapesty as complete.

Anna was a survivor in great part due to her ability to adapt successfully to changing circumstances. Alert, and independent in thought, she somehow maintained an intact sense of self in spite of her very difficult life at the hands of her father. She took advantage of opportunities to learn, cared for others sincerely, and experienced the love of men and of her children. She was tough, necessarily hardened, but not inurred, to pain and sorrow. While her values were aligned with those of her fellow villagers, her religious beliefs were not mere superstitions, not so deeply ingrained that she could not consider broader issues, ask philosophical questions. Her resiliency led her through the valley of the shadow of death.

Does this story relate to our time? I don't think we would embrace the tale otherwise. A necessary criterion for good literature is its universality, and we can identify with the human face of this story with its themes of ignorance, greed, passion, prejudice, love, faith, unselfishness and hope.

Despite the technological wonders which allow us all manner of luxuries, we grapple with the same devils; we are all of us only slightly more sophisticated villagers -- if at all.

• • •

Although I found the Year of Wonders story concept interesting, the Hollywood style finale disturbed me. I would have preferred a simple dramatic ending to the one supplied by author Geraldine Brooks. Perhaps the author thought the over the top conclusion would help sell a Year of Wonders screenplay? Regardless of motive, I found the ending not true to the characters or time frame.

• • •

Since I've had an interest in America and Britain of the 16th and 17th century, I was eager to read Geraldine Brooks' Year of Wonder. The anticipation quickly turned into admiration for this tragic tale based on the true story of a plague-ridden English village in 1665. It is written with such vivid details that the sights, sounds, and smells of 17th century England literally jump out of the pages.

Not only are the images vivid but so also are the characters. Twenty-year-old Anna Frith, the narrator, is an intelligent, strong, level-headed young woman who has been recently widowed and left with two small children. With her keen observations, perceptive reflections on the actions and character of others, and her rich descriptions of places and events, Anna is a very reliable narrator.

This is as much Anna's story as it is the story of the consequences of a village's altruistic decision to quarantine itself rather than risk spreading the plague thoughout the countryside. From the beginning the reader can sense Anna's inner strength as she recalls her prepartion of her husband's body for burial two years prior and her current tending what sounds like a seriouly depressed Michael Mompellion, the church rector. It is with this introduction that Anna begins to relate what had transpired during the past year.

When the villagers realize that the plague has indeed reached them , they hold on to their faith in God's mercy. However, as more succumb to the disease all of the frailities of the human heart — fear, hate, violence — rear their ugly heads and drive these pathetic people to pit themselves against one another. Mompellion attempts to rekindle their faith, hope and charity by pushing forth the idea of the quarantine. He succeeds but the virulence of the disease tests the faith of even the rector himself. Anna, however, grows braver and stronger as she is thrust into new roles as medic, midwife, confidant. She becomes the courageous and powerful heroine of the story.

Although we know the ending is not going to be rosy, Brooks keeps our interest by creating suspense in the various physical and spiritual trials that the characters undergo. We wonder at each stage of the events whether the characters will survive intact or be driven to despair. In these incidents we can also see parallels in our own century. Brooks herself reflects on September 11 and how, for many, the horrors of that incident brought us closer but also brought out the ugliness of revenge. We are not much different than our ancestors.

Although the ending of the novel has the unlikely ring of a romance novel, I heartily recommend Year of Wonders as a compelling look into the heart of the human spirit.

• • •

Inside information on 'Year of Wonders'

As always, we asked readers to share their questions for our author. Readers had these queries for Geraldine Brooks about "Year of Wonders."

Explain the ending.

"I knew from the beginning that I wanted Anna to be OK at the end of the book. ... As a reader, I hate to be led to care deeply about characters and then be left uncertain, or depressed, about their fate. So although terrible things have happened to Anna, I wanted to be sure that she would go on and have a life with some satisfaction and joy in it. To me, that meant that she had to leave Eyam, because the village will be haunted by its ordeal for the rest of her lifetime.

"So I began to think about places that would be a contrast to gray, depopulated, quiet, depressed Eyam: i.e., bright, crowded, bustling places. I thought about the Mediterranean, and then considered her calling as a healer, and how the medicine of the 1660s was so much farther advanced in Islamic lands. So then I started to wonder if such a journey would have been possible for a woman traveler of her class in the 1660s, and my research led me to some astounding true-life tales: an English Quaker who made her way alone to an audience with Sulyiman the Magnificent in Istanbul; and two Irish midwives who were heading for the American colonies until captured by pirates off the Barbary Coast. When I read that these two went on to become famous and beloved healers in North Africa, I thought I had a plausible future for Anna. But I decided to skip the pirates!

To a reader who suggested that the ending was perhaps meant to make the book more saleable to Hollywood, Brooks adds this postscript: "If I had been driven by considerations of selling the screenplay, I wouldn't have added a million bucks to the production costs by writing in such a radical — and expensive — change of scene."

Will we meet Anna again in a sequel?

"I wanted to do a sequel because I missed spending my days with her. But I found another compelling story, based in historical truth, and I now have a new protagonist who has become a just-as-beloved daily companion."

Thinking that Oran, the city where Anna ends up, sounded familiar, reader Dan X. Hall of 'Aiea did a little research and came up with — to him — a startling and very pleasing side note: That Oran is the setting for Albert Camus' famous novel, "The Plague," set a couple of generations later. Was that purposeful? he asked.

"Making Oran the bustling, bright city of Anna's destination was my small homage to Camus' remarkable book."