The Wonder
A Novel
Book - 2016
"Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O'Donnell, who is said to be living without food, and a journalist is sent to cover the sensation. Lib Wright, a veteran of Florence Nightingale's Crimean campaign, is hired to keep watch over the girl. As Anna's life ebbs away, Lib finds herself responsible not just for the care of a child but for that child's very survival. Haunting and magnetic, The Wonder is a searing examination of doubt, faith, and what nourishes us, body and soul. Written with all the propulsive tension that made Donoghue's Room a huge bestseller, it works beautifully on many levels -- an intimate tale of two strangers who transform each other's lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a spellbinding story of love pitted against evil." -- from back cover.
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Publisher:
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2016
Edition:
First edition
ISBN:
9780316393874
0316393878
0316393878
Branch Call Number:
FICTION Donoghue, Emma
Characteristics:
291 pages ; 25 cm
Comment
Add a CommentOnce again a historical fiction that seemed to be well researched and highly interesting. Will look for others by this author.
Very much enjoyed this book, as I do most of Emma Donoghue's writing. As a Catholic of Irish descent, it was certainly an eye-opening account of a time and place that I had very little knowledge of. I don't know how authentic this little girl's story might actually be but I enjoy historical fiction and would certainly recommend this to anyone who loves this author's work. Am looking forward to her new novel, The Pull of the Stars.
Loved this book. It got me thinking.
Great development of characters.
Always enjoy reading stories written by Donoghue. Very good story teller.
I enjoyed some of this author's other books...but this one is so boring it's almost as if there isn't a plot...maybe it gets better but I've sat down with it 2 or 3 times and I just can't get into it. There's also this English derision of the Irish, is it supposed to be funny? a satire?
A story where religion and science meet to verse each other as the truth is hunted for. The stakes? The life of an eleven year old girl. Lib was called in to conduct a "watch" with Sister Michael to confirm whether or not an eleven year old girl is actually existing without any food as a sort of miracle. When the horrible truth is hinted upon it lands on Lib alone to find the truth's proof. This story was another great example of historical fiction. I really enjoyed it. It is definitely a page turner.
In my opinion, Emma Donoghue writes some of the most well-researched, evocative historical fiction I've ever read. This was not my favorite book of hers, but it was one of the few books this year as a new mom that kept me engaged enough to finish it!
Tea & Talk Book Club / July 2019
7-10-19 Returning for others, too many books showed up now.
In mid 19th century Ireland, Nightingale-trained nurse Lib Wright is hired as part of a two week watch on a girl who has been purportedly going without food for over four months. She is understandably skeptical of the claim, but over the course of the two weeks she discovers the appalling truth of the situation. The author effectively unwinds the story, until a somewhat improbable climax, which is the book's only real weakness.
If you're a fan of Emma Donoghue's bestselling novel Room, you will love The Wonder, a thrilling page-turner that keeps you guessing until the final pages. Lib is a nurse trained by Florence Nightingale. Her expertise is requested by the family of Annie, an eleven-year-old girl who claims she has been surviving for the past four months without food. Lib’s task is to watch Annie night-and-day to either prove or debunk the supposed miracle. Disturbing, fast-paced, and claustrophobic, this novel will have you flip-flopping, taking sides with both Annie and Lib as the horror and wonder of Annie’s self-imposed starvation unfolds.