Saturday’s Book: “The Wonder” by Emma Donoghue

Metal nurse?
(Naomi’s Photos)

What an amazing book!

I was riveted! A book that was quite hard to put down!

I’m completely in awe of the way Emma Donaghue (yup, the author of “Room”) constructs the story – she manages to create what some call “a psychological thriller” while giving enough historical and cultural information to support the claim (my claim) that it feels like a historical novel

The book takes place in Ireland in the mid-1850s, not long after the great potato famine had “ended”. In a small, impoverished place, a wondrous girl seems to be existing on air – not eating but apparently thriving. It is considered by many to be divine intervention. A tough, no-nonsense English nurse, who was trained by the great Florence Nightingale herself,  is sent to investigate.

As the tension builds up and the events unfold, there are rich descriptions of the way of life there, the tragic famine, and of the early days of the newly born profession of nursing.

Believe me, if you haven’t read the book yet, this is all you need to know in advance.

Enjoy!

I certainly did!

 

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