A Year of Marvelous Ways
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Cornwall, England • 1940s
•
Mental Health•
War2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman follows a young soldier and an elderly woman in post-WWII Cornwall. Marvelous Ways, the elderly protagonist, helps the soldier navigate his grief and trauma. Their unexpected friendship unfolds against a backdrop of healing and transformation by the river's edge.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
24,870 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sarah Winman’s A Year of Marvelous Ways is praised for its lyrical prose and enchanting storytelling. Set in post-war Cornwall, it weaves themes of healing and discovery. Critics appreciate the vivid imagery, though some find the pacing uneven. The book’s emotional depth and whimsical elements captivate readers despite a few narrative slow spots.
Who Should Read A Year of Marvelous Ways?
Readers who enjoy lyrical prose, magical realism, and stories of healing will appreciate A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman. Fans of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens will find its exploration of nature and human connection captivating.
24,870 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A young World War II veteran struggling with trauma, whose journey of healing is intertwined with Marvelous and the sanctuary of the creek.
Drake’s childhood friend and first love, whose vibrant memory plays a significant role in his emotional and narrative journey.
Marvelous’s great love, whose life as a miner and dreamer is recounted through her memories, embodying themes of love and loss.
A practical and kind woman who returns to her ancestral village, reviving it through her craft as a baker and forming bonds with key characters.
Jack’s brother and Marvelous’s second love, characterized by his charisma and insecurity, with his life and death impacting those around him.
An empathetic figure from the outside world who provides crucial connections and validation to the stories and histories within the narrative.
A gentle fisherman whose shy nature contrasts with other male figures, forming a nurturing relationship with Peace and aiding Drake’s recovery.
336
Novel • Fiction
Cornwall, England • 1940s
•
Mental Health•
War2015
Adult
18+ years
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