I am simply in awe of Geraldine Brooks. I read "March" several years ago, then "People of the Book" more recently. I finally convinced myself to go back and read "Year of Wonders", her first novel, and from page one, I was blown away. Her use of language is magnificent, and the characters and plot are unforgettable. In a nutshell, "Year of Wonders" tells the tale of a small, isolated English village hit by an onslaught of the Plague in 1665 - 1666. Main character Anna narrates the horrors of the disease, the grief and suffering of the dying and those who survive, and the shocking decision made by the villagers to quarantine themselves and let God determine their fate. We see almost first-hand the desperation to survive, the search for easy scapegoats, the deceptions and scams employed by some, and the dedication and self-sacrifice of those who stay to care for the afflicted. I recommend this book highly.