Fateful year 1665, the Great Plague of London spreads across the country. Together with an infected bale of fabric, she ends up in a remote village. The disease moves from house to house, the villagers can only pray. Only a few are able to resist the adversity, among them the maid Anna Frith. Not susceptible to infection, she becomes a healer. Meanwhile, the villagers move from prayers to witch hunts. Together with the local priest's wife, Anna fights not only the plague, but also the madness spreading among the villagers. Thanks to the dedication of two women, a year of disaster turns into a year of miracles. The novel is inspired by true events that took place in the village of Eam in the rugged hill country of England. Surprisingly, this story of an epidemic at a time when medicine was in its infancy resonates with our times, when responsiveness and compassion are especially important. Geraldine Brooks talks about how the resilience and compassion of some can help others cope with superstitions, fears and bad impulses.