Faith, Mystery and Miracles

This week we take a look at Emma Donoghue’s The Wonder. I have read a few books by Donoghue now and I have really enjoyed them (Room and The Pull of the Stars – add to your list). I was a little more reluctant to read this one, purely because it isn’t highly rated and I had read some negative reviews. I was going into this one with lower expectations and I was pleasantly surprised. I am not sure who this one is not rated more highly, but in any case, it is five stars from me. For our literary fiction lovers, and those who enjoy stories by and about women, this book is for you!

The Wonder is a poignant and evocative journey into the world of the miraculous and the mundane, skilfully interwoven through the lives of her vividly crafted characters. Set in 19th-century Ireland, this novel centres around the story of a young girl, Anna O'Donnell, who claims to survive without food, sustained solely by spiritual means. This “fasting girl” phenomenon attracts a nurse, Lib Wright, dispatched to uncover the truth behind what many believe to be a divine miracle.

Donoghue’s narrative is masterfully layered, peeling back the facades of piety, scepticism, and desperation. I really enjoyed the discussions around faith and science and the clash of these two often differing domains, in an intense struggle for dominance.

Lib Wright, our sceptical protagonist, is a woman of reason, hardened by her experiences in the Crimean War. Her assignment to observe Anna is met with a mix of incredulity and disdain, and as she delves deeper into the mystery, her own beliefs are tested. Anna, the enigmatic fasting girl, is portrayed with a delicate complexity, embodying both innocence and a mystifying depth of faith that challenges the rational mind.

The Wonder is more than just a tale of mystery; it is an exploration of faith, and what it means to believe. The writing in this is simply beautiful. I loved the characters and I was desperate what was to be Anna’s fate which had me not able to put this one down. I didn’t expect to find myself so wrapped up in this one. This book raises questions about the nature of miracles and the psychological landscapes of belief. This book had me questioning the power of the mind.

This story invites us to question the known and unknown, blending historical fiction with a touch of the mystical in a way that only Donoghue can achieve. I highly recommended this book for those who appreciate thought-provoking literature because life is too short to read bad books.

P.S This one has been turned into a movie, so that may well be worth checking out!