5 out of 5 stars
On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads
How I discovered this book: On X (Twitter) - I believe via via @Zeamee or @vallypee or both!
In a Nutshell: The story of Eyam, the Derbyshire village that famously isolated itself during the 17th Century bubonic plague, stopping it from spreading to neighbouring villages.
This is such a good book and stays so true to the history of this village; I've read more about it online since finishing the book. We can't imagine how it must have been to have lost one's whole family but still carry on, as so many did back then. The novel centres around Reverend William Mompesson who, with his predecessor Reverend Stanley, proposed the quarantine idea. He was having a hard enough time as the new Church of England priest in a staunchly Puritan village, but gradually some of his congregation were softening towards him, just as the plague reached Eyam, via cloth delivered from London to a local tailor.
I liked very much how the author gives us just enough scene-setting before the plague takes hold, to show us the Reverend's trials, and to let us get to know the village. Aside from Rev Mompesson's story, Millie Thom introduces us to the villagers themselves, in chapters that tell their own stories when the plague enters their houses. I so much appreciated the writing style; these stories are incredibly emotive but never 'over-written'.
I highly recommend this book - and it made me want to visit Eyam again. I did so in 1978, and can vaguely remember looking at the records of all the people who died, that was still kept in the church; I don't know if it still is, but then that was 46 years ago, and I imagine it's not so open now. We just passed it one winter afternoon and had a look around; there was no evidence of any tourism trade back then.
I shall have to look at more photos and work out where I was standing!
Thank you so much, Terry. I love your review and really appreciate you taking the time to read my book. Eyam will probably look much the same to you as it did all those years ago. The lists of people who died during the plague are still in the church but I'm pretty sure the museum wasn't there then. It's well worth having a look at the exhibits. No photography is allowed in the church now, as it was until quite recently. It looks like your photo was taken in the churchyard. Aren't they gravestones close by? Thank you again for the lovely review. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing such a good book! No, I don't remember seeing a museum, it was just an ordinary village. Wish I had more photographs - alas the boyfriend I was with used to take slides, and we split up over 40 years ago, so no hope of seeing any!!! :D. I was looking at lots of pictures of the churchyard yesterday to see if I could work out exactly where I was standing - I shall explore further, and work out a way of visiting there again. I remember how atmospheric it was on that snowy afternoon; felt like it could have been any time in history. Thanks for extra information!! x
DeleteThis book sounds so interesting, thanks for the review and bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure you'd love it, R! x
DeleteI agree with Rosie. It sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteTerrific review, Terry. I LOVE Millie Thom's work. I found this to be beautifully written, and I appreciated learning about a time and place I wasn't familiar with. Fantastic historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteOlga and Lisette, thanks so much for reading my review! I will definitely read more of Millie's books. I highly recommend A Plague on Mr Pepys by Deborah Swift, which is also about the 17thC plague but in London - one of the best books I've ever read.
ReplyDelete