Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
-
-
VIDEO -
The Wonder Hardcover – September 20, 2016
Purchase options and add-ons
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.
Acclaim for The Wonder:
"Deliciously gothic.... Dark and vivid, with complicated characters, this is a novel that lodges itself deep" (USA Today, 3/4 stars)
"Heartbreaking and transcendent"(New York Times)
"A fable as lean and discomfiting as Anna's dwindling body.... Donoghue keeps us riveted" (Chicago Tribune)
"Donoghue poses powerful questions about faith and belief" (Newsday)
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherLittle, Brown and Company
- Publication dateSeptember 20, 2016
- Dimensions6.38 x 1.13 x 9.5 inches
- ISBN-100316393878
- ISBN-13978-0316393874
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Calm was crucial; a strident female voice caused men’s ears to close.Highlighted by 371 Kindle readers
That was what nobody understood: saving lives often came down to getting a latrine pipe unplugged.Highlighted by 308 Kindle readers
But that was part of the definition of madness, Lib supposed, the refusal to accept that one was mad.Highlighted by 253 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
The Wonder
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A fine, fact-based historical novel, an old-school page turner...Donoghue has written, with crackling intensity, about [spirituality's] power to destroy."―Stephen King, New York Times Book Review
"[Donoghue's] contemporary thriller Room made [her] an international bestseller, but this gripping tale offers a welcome reminder that her historical fiction is equally fine."―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Outstanding.... Exploring the nature of faith and trust with heartrending intensity, Donoghue's superb novel will leave few unaffected."―Sarah Johnson, Booklist (starred review)
"Donoghue demonstrates her versatility by dabbling in a wide range of literary styles in this latest novel.... The closely imagined, intricately drawn story possesses many of the same alluring qualities as her bestseller, Room. .... Donoghue's engrossing novel is loaded with descriptions of period customs and 19th-century Catholic devotional objects and prayers...[and] asks daring questions about just how far some might go to prove their faith."―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Donoghue is known for her bestselling novel, Room.... [But] she is also well versed in historical fiction. THE WONDER brings together the best of all, combining a gracefully tense, young voice with a richly detailed historical setting."―The Millions
"Readers of historical fiction will gravitate to this tale."―Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times
"A riveting allegory about the trickle-down effect of trauma."―Megan O'Grady, Vogue
"Donoghue poses powerful questions about faith and belief all the while crafting a compelling story and an evocative portrait of 19th-century Irish provincial society."―Tom Beer, Newsday
"Donoghue's superb thriller will keep readers hanging on to every word, pondering how far one will go to prove her faith."―Liz Loerke, Real Simple
"Gripping."―Claire Stern, InStyle.com
"What at first seems a simple matter becomes far more-stick with it, the payoff is there."―Steph Opitz, Marie Claire
"Fresh and unusually lively historical fiction. [Donoghue's] latest novel brings together both her preoccupation with child peril and her gift for history."―Boris Kachka, Vulture
"A haunting novel about good vs. evil."―Brenda Janowitz, PopSugar
"Like [Room], THE WONDERexplores a dark, insular, and rigidly controlled environment.... Donoghue's clever use of an outsider as narrator lets her explain anomalies to us-what a creepie is (a log stool) and why people tie rags to a tree (to hold their pain)-as she encounters them herself. But there is more to this mystery than superstitions and local dialect. Lib must decipher the private truths of Anna and her family, who have closed ranks in grief over the loss of a son. She must puzzle out the community itself and its contradictory beliefs in religion, science, and tradition. And Lib has her own sorrowful secrets, her own need for personal redemption. Donoghue deftly pairs the two stories, and as Lib uncovers the truth about Anna, she gradually owns the truth about herself."―Roxana Robinson, O, The Oprah Magazine
"Riveting.... Highly recommended."―Valerie Koehler, Literary Hub
"THE WONDER by Emma Donoghue is just that: 'a wonder' of a story about religious delusion and self-denial [that] teem[s] with drama and great moral questions.... Donoghue manages to engage larger mysteries of faith, doubt and evil without sacrificing the lyricism of her language or the suspense of her storyline."―Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air
"Donoghue proves herself endlessly inventive.... This is the kind of book that will keep you up at night and make you smarter."--Julie Buntin, Cosmopolitan
"Rich hauls of historical research, deeply excavated but lightly borne.... [An] ingenious telling."--David Kipen, Wall Street Journal
"All spectacle and gothic horror and inevitably hard to put down."―Stassa Edwards, Jezebel
"Has that vivid, ripped-from-the-headlines feel that comes from an author's utter fascination with a real-world subject.... THE WONDER is deliciously gothic.... Dark and vivid, with complicated characters, this is a novel that lodges itself deep."―Steph Cha, USA Today, 3/4 stars
"Fodder for endless book club debates."―Meghan O'Gieblyn, Los Angeles Review of Books
"A fine work, adept and compelling in voice, plot, and moral complexity.... Donoghue deals out the cards with real skill."―Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe
"A locked-room mystery, set in atmospheric 19th-century Ireland and as spare, in its own way, as Room.... A fable as lean and discomfiting as Anna's dwindling body.... Donoghue keeps us riveted to Lib's perspective throughout.... Thanks to the complexity of Donoghue's ideas, there's plenty on which to ruminate."―Amy Gentry, Chicago Tribune
"Donoghue, a writer of great vitality and generosity-one gets the sense that she would gladly have her characters over for dinner, as long as they'd agree to eat-has been drawn repeatedly to the genre of historical fiction not so much to inhabit or reinterpret the past as to try to fit together its overlooked, missing pieces.... Fiction is small solace for history's grief, but it's one way to set the record straight."―Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker
"A blazing historical novel."―Marion Winik, Newsday
"Donoghue is a master of plot, and her prose is especially exquisite in depicting ambiguity...
Lib is a heroine the modern woman can admire."―Sarah Begley, Time Magazine
"As in "Room," Ms. Donoghue proves a shrewd observer of the parental urge to distort reality to protect children-and themselves"―Sam Sacks, The Wall Street Journal
"Donoghue's measured prose is at its best when depicting damaged and failing flesh with extraordinarily vivid economy"―Financial Times
"An excellent new novel that is as much a mystery as it is an analysis of the extent to which some people are governed by their faith."―Houston Chronicle
"A haunting page-turner, filled with Donoghue's enchanting phrasemaking―The Seattle Times
"This a completely engrossing read-you will barely be able to tear yourself away from it".―Next Avenue
About the Author
She is best known for her novels, which range from the historical (Frog Music, Slammerkin, Life Mask, Landing, The Sealed Letter) to the contemporary (Akin, Stir-Fry, Hood, Landing). Her international bestseller Room was a New York Times Best Book of 2010 and was a finalist for the Man Booker, Commonwealth, and Orange Prizes.
Product details
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company; Large Print edition (September 20, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316393878
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316393874
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.38 x 1.13 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16,611 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- #18,527 in Family Life Fiction (Books)
- #62,514 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Born in Dublin in 1969, Emma Donoghue is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction whose novels include the international bestseller "Room" (her screen adaptation was nominated for four Oscars), "Frog Music", "Slammerkin," "The Sealed Letter," "Landing," "Life Mask," "Hood," and "Stirfry." Her story collections are "Astray", "The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits," "Kissing the Witch," and "Touchy Subjects." She also writes literary history, and plays for stage and radio. She lives in London, Ontario, with her partner and their two children.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story engaging and interesting from the start. They praise the writing quality as clear and descriptive, with a taut prose that gives a real feel for the characters. The historical accuracy is appreciated, with an engaging look at rural culture in emerging industrial Ireland. However, some customers felt the book was too slow-moving and needed to be more exciting.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging and compulsively readable. They like the plot and twists toward the end. The book is described as a masterfully written mystery with a slow buildup to startling conclusions. Readers are drawn in by the scene-setting and find it a great read.
"...Their friendship helps them heal. This story is similar to a gothic thriller with the underlying tension gradually becoming stronger...." Read more
"...The story is a slow burn that builds to some startling conclusions. The book is hard to put down and well worth your time." Read more
"...writing was excellent, the characters well defined, the settings were expertly painted, and the premise was intriguing. Would I recommend it?..." Read more
"...The main thing I'd like to convey is that this is a wonderful book, It has depth, rings of truth and, despite my slight disappointment with the..." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and interesting from the start. They say it draws them into the time period and mood in Ireland. The story slowly builds to surprising conclusions, keeping readers hooked.
"...The story is a slow burn that builds to some startling conclusions. The book is hard to put down and well worth your time." Read more
"...well defined, the settings were expertly painted, and the premise was intriguing. Would I recommend it? That's hard for me to say...." Read more
"...seems over the top, and the ending seems improbable, but it still kept my interest. The life of the Irish village poor is well depicted...." Read more
"...As a clinical social worker, I was fascinated by the premise but suspicious of the girl. I had my theories but will not provide any spoilers here...." Read more
Customers find the book well-written with clear prose and descriptive language. They appreciate the author's attention to detail and realistic portrayal of the time period. The writing style is described as concise and engaging, with no wasted words. Readers describe the book as an intelligent, engaging read with well-developed characters and a realistic depiction of the time period.
"...The story is compelling and interesting and the writing is very good...." Read more
"...Because the writing was excellent, the characters well defined, the settings were expertly painted, and the premise was intriguing...." Read more
"...main thing I'd like to convey is that this is a wonderful book, It has depth, rings of truth and, despite my slight disappointment with the..." Read more
"...It’s written in clear, taut prose that gives you a real feel for the characters, living conditions and rituals in Athlone, a small village in..." Read more
Customers find the characters mysterious and divided. The author develops their individual personalities through the realistic prose. They appreciate the small number of characters, which allows the author time to develop each one.
"...How far will you go for your child? The characters are imaginatively crafted and the tension is palpable...." Read more
"...There are so many lovely layers to this novel. The characters have hidden secrets, some of them quite horrifying...." Read more
"...There is a lack of depth to the characters and their developing relationships, especially between Lib and Anna and Lib and Byrne, but also between..." Read more
"...Because the writing was excellent, the characters well defined, the settings were expertly painted, and the premise was intriguing...." Read more
Customers find the historical details in the book engaging. They appreciate the portrayal of rural culture in emerging industrial Ireland. The references to nursing in its infancy are interesting and still relevant today. Readers mention that the book has depth and rings of truth. It keeps them guessing as it explores religious fanaticism, science-faith balance, and prejudice against Irish people.
"...There are themes of guilt, family loyalty, the goodness and dangers of religion, misperceptions and assumptions, and medical and moral ethics...." Read more
"...'d like to convey is that this is a wonderful book, It has depth, rings of truth and, despite my slight disappointment with the denouement, is a..." Read more
"...In the end, it is also perhaps a metaphor about Irish emigration – why generations of Irishmen and women had to flee the island to find freedom and..." Read more
"...Her character was strong; she stood up, she spoke up and she fought for the truth...." Read more
Customers find the book gripping and engrossing. However, some readers feel the pacing is grim and dismal, with odd and dark subject matter.
"'The Wonder, by Emma Donoghue, held me in its thrall throughout. The narrative is riveting and the characterizations are right on...." Read more
"Grim and dismal, this plodding story seems to ridicule the Catholic Church and the Irish who depended on their faith for survival in difficult times...." Read more
"...Anna an 11-year-old soft faced girl, who is humble, smart, prayerful and clever. Was she a living marvel? Could she be “false little baggage.”..." Read more
"really great, but dark read about a little girl who claims to live without food and the nurse who is hired to watch over here and verify the claims...." Read more
Customers find the book's pace too slow. They say it takes too long to get to the exciting point of the story, and the ending feels rushed and incomplete.
"...Instead, it was a boring, slow page turning book that didn't satiate the intrigue and unpredictability I was hoping for...." Read more
"It's very slow-going at first, but it's worth slogging along...." Read more
"...The book flows easily and has no "dead space"...." Read more
"The Wonder had a slow start but picked up in the second half...." Read more
Customers find the religious content in the book odd and difficult to understand. They say it criticizes Roman Catholic beliefs and rituals, drawing tropes without subtlety. The subject matter is described as harsh and not lighthearted, describing a time period wrought with religious superstition and strong disbelief.
"...The religiosity is unbelievable, except that I've seen it for myself among Irish immigrants to the US in the twentieth century." Read more
"...The book has a very anti-Catholic theme (I am not Catholic, nor am I Irish, so I'm not being defensive!)..." Read more
"...to containing a disturbing mystery, the novel poses questions about medical ethics and morality...." Read more
"...me the characters were rather heavily drawn outlines — like tropes with no subtlety...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2022Imagine reading a news report of a child living only on water. For four months. Astonishing? Believable? Suspicious? Lib Wright was trained by Florence Nightengale and nursed patients during the Crimean War. She is asked to travel to Ireland and observe an eleven-year-old girl who claims to have eaten nothing in four months. The village council has concerns with the girl's claim and wants to verify it before they are embarrassed. They hire Lib and a nun experienced in nursing. Both women are to trade off watching Anna giving 24-hour observation and not speak to each other to compare findings.
Lib has a much stricter view of nursing and finds herself at odds with the family hygiene, food, and constant arrival of visitors. Sister Michael seems unconcerned with the conditions and calmly observes Anna. Neither woman is to compare notes but Lib is certain her training will help her uncover the hoax quickly. How could Anna still be alive after four months with no food? Where is she getting her nutrition? Is Sister Michael assisting this farce?
Despite her best intentions, Lib finds herself caring for the child, Anna. Lib is afraid that Anna will not survive for much longer. Against her training, she works to find someone to help. She can no longer observe a child starving to death. Who will help her? Will Lib find out whether this is a farce or not? Anna is deeply religious, do her strongly held beliefs influence her condition in any way?
Two damaged souls meet and learn to appreciate each other. Their friendship helps them heal. This story is similar to a gothic thriller with the underlying tension gradually becoming stronger. Anna's parents seem loving and caring. How far will you go for your child? The characters are imaginatively crafted and the tension is palpable. Leave this century and enter this unusual story.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2017This book is a delight to read on so many levels. The story is compelling and interesting and the writing is very good. In addition to containing a disturbing mystery, the novel poses questions about medical ethics and morality. A good book makes you think and I am still thinking about this one a few days after finishing.
The story is set in southern Ireland in 1859, over the period of two weeks. Lib is a widow who became a nurse after her husband of one year died. She was a Nightingale, as in trained by Florence, and was working in a hospital in England after the Crimea War. Her matron suggested Lib travel to Ireland to be a nurse in the O’Donnell household for two weeks. She agrees, but nothing is as she anticipated. Lib has been hired by a committee of townsfolk to “observe” 11 year old Anna O’Donnell for two weeks. The child has not eaten in 4 months and the committee wants to know if this is a hoax or divine intervention as the family claims. The child reports that she receives manna from heaven. People come from all over to see the devoutly religious miracle child. Lib and a local nun are to take shifts and simply observe to see if the child is taking in any food. Lib is out of place in Catholic Ireland and is convinced that the whole thing is a trick. She is a firm believer in facts and science and has nothing but disdain for religion. As she spends time with Anna, an unlikely friendship develops. Lib remains very skeptical of the family and some of the townspeople. She is befriended by a newspaper reporter sent there to cover the story. Together, they begin to discover the horrible truth. As Anna’s health begins to fail, Lib begs the local physician and the committee to end the watch period and intervene. She soon discovers that everyone has their own agenda, including building up the local church if Anna is declared a saint. Lib knows that she needs to act fast, but she is torn between duty and love.
There are so many lovely layers to this novel. The characters have hidden secrets, some of them quite horrifying. It is chilling to learn how far people will go to further their own desires. Far enough to endanger the life of a child and to convince her that she is doing the right thing by starving herself. There are themes of guilt, family loyalty, the goodness and dangers of religion, misperceptions and assumptions, and medical and moral ethics. The story is a slow burn that builds to some startling conclusions. The book is hard to put down and well worth your time.
Top reviews from other countries
Bruno AndreoniReviewed in Brazil on February 4, 20215.0 out of 5 stars Historic fiction at its best
A sharp glimpse into the Irish soul, and staged right after the infamous potato famine. At the same time, a novel that you cannot put down until you finish.
-
SaraReviewed in Italy on December 24, 20224.0 out of 5 stars Molto bello!
Sfortunatamente ho visto prima il film (che già mi era piaciuto tantissimo) ma il libro è stato molto bello.
La storia si basa sulla vera vicenda delle starving girls ossia delle ragazze (ma anche ragazzi) che dicevano di poter sopravvivere senza mangiare. Infatti, qui incontriamo Anna O’Donnel una undicenne che non mangia da quattro mesi e che sarà tenuta sotto stretta osservazione da due infermiere, Sister Michael e Lib Wright.
Il personaggio di Lib mi è parso molto diverso dalla trasposizione cinematografica, probabilmente perché ne lèggiamo i pensieri più profondi e le sue opinioni. Infatti, Lib sembra molto più cinica nei confronti di Anna. Inoltre, ha un rapporto molto più importante - rispetto al film - con Sister Michael e gli O’Donnels.
L’aspetto religioso è anche MOLTO più presente rispetto alla trasposizione cinematografica. In questo caso, da persona atea e “eretica” (come Lib del resto) mi sono ritrovata molto spesso a buttare gli occhi al cielo. Poi, però, mi sono resa conto di come questa religiosità sia tossica ma non è che per tutti è così. Questo, per esempio, lo vediamo nel contrasto tra Anna e William Byrne: entrambi sono religiosi ma lo sono in maniera molto molto differente.
Il finale per me non è stato un grande twist a causa del film ma non lo avrei sicuramente previsto.
-
denimfanReviewed in Spain on December 22, 20175.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story
The fist time I started reading the book I put it away again, but the second time I was mesmerized, the description of the little girl is so vivid it was like being inside the book.
Katherine SunderlandReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 20175.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking
I was very curious to see what Emma Donoghue would do next after the incredible success of "Room". In "The Wonder" she has returned to the past and to another country but still exploring the emotive and powerful issue of parenting, motherhood, the vulnerability of children and the lengths people will go to for the love of a child. The location, era and premise may be worlds away from that of "Room", but this book is as haunting, psychologically thrilling and unforgettable. I loved it.
Donoghue's writing is powerful, taut and clever. She uses language masterfully and this novel allows her to play with repetition, misinterpretation, literal and metaphorical interpretation, euphemism and ambiguity. I loved the play on words, the double meanings, the difference between what the characters thought they heard and what was said and the sage reminder of how manipulative language can be. Donoghue also celebrates how powerful language can be - not just through its usage by the characters but also through her imagery and skilful prose. This is a book to savour.
The historical and social context of this novel is fascinating and allows Donoghue to write about rationality and science versus myths and faith. Lib and Anna's family are direct contrasts representing the medical world view versus the spiritual. There are constant contrasts between what is obvious and clear and the different ways in which it is explained through a mythical angle. Lib, our plain speaking, no nonsense nurse and protagonist, is quick to dismiss the religion, prayer and wonder of the family and community although this is attitude is tested and challenged as the novel progresses.
I liked Lib a lot. At first she seems hard, too clinical, a little arrogant but as the story unfolds and we learn more about her and more about the world in which she operates, the more I liked her strength, perseverance and dedication. It is her thoroughness, her persistence and her diligence while caring for Anna which leads to the dramatic climax. Lib's emotional journey is immense - it is a real awakening and perhaps even a kind of epiphany. I liked this. Obviously the story is about Anna and the mystery surrounding her "wonder" but actually it is much about Lib and the journey she finds herself on. I liked her wry comments, her disparaging responses to the family, her flaws, her angst and her deep hidden secrets.
There are so many fascinating comments from the characters that reveal attitudes to religion, prayer, women, nursing and mental health that there is almost too much to talk about in this review. On the one hand this is a gripping, powerful, mesmerising read about a young girl and a nurse, on the other hand it is a complex novel about duty, negligence, stories, parenting, manipulation and guilt. On the one hand the reader is absorbed in trying to solve the puzzle as to how Anna has survived with no food for four months; it is a crime story, a mystery, a thriller. On the other hand it is a novel about the stories we tell each other and how easily these stories, warnings, rituals and scripture can be misunderstood or abused.
I enjoyed the shadow of Florence Nightingale whose ominous presence was felt on some of the pages. I thought her characterisation was original and intriguing. Lib's own character was so formed by the opinions and teachings of Nightingale it made a dynamic contrast with the local Doctor of the tiny town in which Lib finds herself attempting to carry out medical duties. I think Lib was a great choice of protagonist as she is so different from what I expected. She is fierce and "blasphemous". She emphasises the differences in culture between Ireland and England at this time and captures the tensions that existed politically and socially between the two countries through her character and interaction with the Irish characters.
Donoghue's evocation of 1850s Ireland was excellent and it was impossible not to feel the dampness of the peat, the darkness of the earth and the hold of superstition, prayer and liturgy over the community.
I liked that every character had a motive - and not always a very worthy one. Even Lib has a questionable motive at the beginning. Each character appears to want to help Anna but actually their search for the truth behind her 'wonder' is avoiding their own personal search for truth, answers and acceptance. In their attempts to uncover the truth behind what is happening in the O'Donnell household, Lib, Byrne, the O'Donnells and Anna have to confront their own hidden secrets and fears and face some painful truths.
Just as with "Room" when my eyes could barely read the words fast enough and I kept forgetting to breathe, "The Wonder" is equally breathtaking. It is thought provoking, multilayered and gripping. It is a fantastic psychological thriller and quite frankly, a real wonder.
-
SelfieReviewed in Germany on March 8, 20175.0 out of 5 stars The Wonder von Emma Donoghue
The Wonder von Emma Donoghue ist ein gelungenes Buch der Autorin. Mir haben die Personen, die Geschichte, sowie der Schreibstil sehr gefallen. Die Aufklärung am Ende war überraschend und absolut perfekt. Ich hatte nicht erwartet, dass das Buch so gut sein würde. Ich kann es jedem Leser empfehlen egal ob man mit dem Genre vertraut ist oder nicht. Ich freue mich schon auf das nächste Werk der Autorin! Großartiges Buch!








