The Year of Wonders

A brief about the book: I wrote the novel from the perspective of a housemaid named Anna Freeth, about what she experiences when the plague struck her village. It is based on the history of the small village of Iyam, Derbyshire, which, when struck by the plague in 1666, imposed quarantine on itself to prevent further spread of the disease. The plague that affected Iyam and other parts of the United Kingdom in 1665-1666 was one of the many repetitions since the Black Death in the 14th century. Anna briefly recounts the three years that have passed since she left Iyam. Her journey took her from Bradford’s anger to boarding the next ship leaving Plymouth port, taking her and her child to Oran. Upon arrival, she searches for a Muslim doctor, after finding medicine and midwifery her profession. He agreed to receive her, due to his desperation over the gender separation in Islam, which prevents women and their husbands from seeking his help in medical emergencies and childbirth. To satisfy the customs of Andalusian Arabs, he takes her from his wives in name only to complete her studies and work with him freely. The book ends with her taking her daughters from her hands before heading to the city — a girl from Bradford, now called Aisha, because of the sustenance she provided Anna during her sea voyage to Oran, and her newborn daughter, who carried with her the publisher’s name, Al-Mada. Author: Geraldine Brooks Translator: Hanan Ali Publication Year: 2022 Pages: 304