A young woman's struggle to save her family and her soul during the most extraordinary year of 1666, when plague suddenly visited a small Derbyshire village and the villagers, inspired by a charismatic preacher, elected to quarantine themselves to limit the contagion.

I picked this book up from the book exchange on Ocean Village, whilst cruising around the Caribbean.

I loved this book, and found myself reading late into the night!

I'm not normally one for historical fiction, but I enjoyed this one very much! I've read and enjoyed 'March' by Geraldine Brooks, so will look our for others!

I found the descriptions of day to day living in 1666 quite interesting, and didn't realise they'd have been so domesticated! Kept imagining the BBC drama Lark Rise to Candleford! Although that's probably years out LOL.

Katybean
x

I'm meeting up with some other bookcrossers this evening, and will take this book with me - either to stay there, or for another bookcrosser will take it home - watch this space...

I won this book in the bookswap game at the little get together at Beaconsfield last Thursday. Sounds like a FAB book, so very much looking forward to reading this. Thanks, Katybean x

Note to self: Isisjem would like to read this after me.

This was a great read, and the descriptions of life in the 1700s were all too real. Back-breakingly tough lives back then, and with the plague to contend with. Hell on earth! I'd like to visit Eyam one day, although I'll be imagining Anna and other characters, as they seemed so real. Excellent writing. I'd be interested in reading more by Geraldine Brooks.

Taking this book (amongst many more!) along to the meet at Pigeonhole @ Moot Hall in Daventry. Meet starts at 12.30 on Sunday 3rd March. Head for the upstairs tea room. That's where the meet is and we have sole use of this lovely room, which contains the huge and heaving OBCZ shelves. High Tea deal of a pot of tea or coffee, a sandwich of your choice and a large slice of cake for £3.50 is HIGHLY recommended. Hope to see you there :)

Won this in the bookswap game at the Pigeonhole meet today. Looks good. I know certain other people are keen to read this one I so rudely stole :-) I'll try and read it as soon as possible.

I found Anna's story Eyam during the plague year memorable and haunting. The descriptions of everyday life, the memorable characters and the emotional wringer of their experiences were vivid and moving. There are thought provoking insights into how individuals and communities respond to catastrophe and how this can bring out both the very best and the very worst in human nature. My main criticism would be that the post-plague events and the epilogue stretched credibility and seemed to belong to a different kind of novel altogether. It's almost as though the author was concerned that her tale was too grim and that it needed an absurdly upbeat and improbable ending tacked on to it. Maybe its just me?

Taking to this Sunday's meet up at The Bell

Passed back to me by Sal, and now reserved for Martha. I'll pass it on when I next see her :)

Taking this along to the Salcey meet to pass on to Martha, who missed out on winning this in a previous book swap game :)

Thanks for passing this one on Sal. I look forward to reading it... Very soon! :0)