Sofia is a 14-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. Since she was 8 years old, on select weeks, Sofia shares her favorite books with other young people her age! She is one of the most well-read youth that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role! She talks about it below, but you can find her on Instagram here!
Hi readers! Before you read this review, I just wanted to let you all know about my new Instagram account, @sofias_ya_book_nook! On this account, I will be posting each time a new review comes out, along with some other types of fun book posts. I would really appreciate it if you checked out my page and followed so you can stay up to date! Thank you, and without further ado, onto the review!
Dear readers,
Let me introduce you to a wild, dystopian psychological adult thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end, Yesteryear by Carp Claire Burke. In the days since I have finished this book, I can’t stop thinking about all of the crazy events and ideas. The mixed timeline was a bit confusing at first but I really enjoyed it. This novel follows “tradwife” influencer Natalie, as she reveals the behind-the-scenes to her supposedly perfect life. She narrates a lot of her mental struggles, specifically after having children, but never outright realizes the full extent of her psychological condition. Buckle up, if you are ready to read an insane story about the American housewife dream, and learn how far Natalie is willing to go to ensure the perfect life for herself (and her family).
Goodreads Summary
A traditional American woman, a “tradwife” influencer, suddenly awakens in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister in this sensational debut novel. My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive. Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the heir to a political dynasty? What Natalie’s followers-all 8 million of them-don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal-and just so happens to be building an empire from it. Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children-they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible. A gripping, electrifying novel that is as darkly funny as it is frightening, Yesteryear is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.
My Thoughts
Yesteryear is a very impactful yet quick read. I found myself reading up to 100 pages in one sitting as the compulsive plot just sucked me in! Natalie’s thoughts and actions often make her a little unlikable but I didn’t mind that too much. I noticed that she always seems to think the worst of everyone but herself. Natalie is often found comparing herself to “the perfect Christian housewife” and constantly talking to God throughout the novel. There is a battle between Natalie’s true self and the fake personality she uses when filming content, referring to that as “Online Natalie.” This other version of herself constantly smiles, is always kind, and seems to have everything under control. This quite disturbing book shows the unraveling of her picture-perfect life. Natalie’s super-rich in-laws are so out-of-touch it’s concerning. All of these disturbing parts of the story come together to paint Yesteryear as an unputdownable, thought-provoking read. I would say that this novel has very important lessons and ideas, you just have to make sure you are prepared to read it!
Yesteryear is an adult novel with immensely difficult and serious topics. Some themes include postpartum depression, profanity, child abuse, sexual violence, and religious trauma.
**Thanks so much, Sofia!**