I found the book interesting, but was not nearly as impressed as many reviewers. The religious phenomenon of individuals who claimed to be surviving on nothing more than a little water was evidently a big media draw during the Victorian era (Fasting Girls). Donoghue's story involves a young Irish girl and the attempt to discover whether or not Anna was actually existing without food.
Blurb: In Emma Donoghue's latest masterpiece, an English nurse brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle-a girl said to have survived without food for months-soon finds herself fighting to save the child's life.
Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O'Donnell, who believes herself to be living off manna from heaven, 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.
Written with all the propulsive tension that made Room a huge bestseller, THE WONDER works beautifully on many levels--a tale of two strangers who transform each other's lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.
Soooo....yes, it was interesting to see the rather smug and supercilious Lib Wright attempting to discover how Anna was being fed. And it was frustrating to see the religious mania of those individuals who were certain that it was a miracle and hopeful of Anna being made a saint--allowing, actually celebrating, a young girl in the process of killing herself through starvation. But I did not see it as a thriller, although it was definitely an example of a psychological aberration, and the romance and the "neatly" wrapped up conclusion felt awkward.
Read in Aug.; blog review scheduled for 9/19/16
NetGalley/Little, Brown
Historical Fiction. Sept. 20, 2016. Print length: 304 pages.
Donoghue is a hit or miss author for me. Sometimes I really like her. Other times I do not at all...
ReplyDeleteIn the end, the book felt kind of empty, but that's just me. Still, it was an interesting phenomenon that was evidently kind of "contagious."
DeleteI was browsing at a bookstore today and saw this book but didn't buy it. It does has an interesting plot but for whatever reasons it fails to intrigue me. It has the elements of a thriller but it is also a sad story in my opinion. What really infuriates me is reading such individuals' thoughts and the media attention for the sake of news impact.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely not a thriller, and you are right about it being a sad story, especially when you consider the behavior of all of the adults involved.
DeleteI liked Room though I found it depressing. I haven't read any other of her books and I had this on my wishlist, but now I think I'll pass. It just doesn't pull me in, and the "fasting girls" angle is just plain creepy and sad. Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThe description of Room was too much for me, so I passed. I think I'll leave this author alone.
DeleteHmmmm, the topic doesn't do much for me, although I have friends who raved about Room. Didn't read that either. Thanks for the review, Jenny.
ReplyDeleteReligious mania does intrigue and disgust at the same time, but the part that worked even less for me was the neat conclusion.
DeleteI've never heard of Fasting Girls before. But I'm intrigued. I wish there was a good non-fiction book I could read about them. Sorry the Donoghue wasn't better.
ReplyDeleteThe connection of religious fasting, the need for a transcendent experience, and anorexia nervosa all rolled into one manifestation!
DeleteThis sounds intriguing and what a shame that it didn't live up to all the praise it's been receiving. I might consider it as I've had good luck with some of her other books but probably not in a rush to get to it.
ReplyDeleteThe premise is compelling--trying to prove/disprove a miracle. If you've enjoyed her other books, you might love this one as well. :)
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