The Quick Take
Not the most favorite of what we have read, but have to give Caro Claire Burke credit for the idea and the writing. Natalie was hard to relate to, especially as a mother, but the commentary on image, wealth and influencer culture definitely stuck with me. Bring this one to book club, and expect opinions!
This is going to be one of those books.
The kind where half your book club says, “I LOVED it,” and the other half is sitting there wondering if everyone read the same thing.
I’m in the second group.
I didn’t particularly like Yesteryear.
But, and this is a pretty big but, I have to give Caro Claire Burke a lot of credit for both the idea behind this book and the way she writes.
The premise is fantastic.
Natalie Heller Mills has built a hugely successful social media following around this picture-perfect lifestyle: motherhood, marriage, homemade everything and the kind of beautiful farm life that looks effortless online. (Ummm, remind you of people on social media?)
Then she wakes up in 1855 and is suddenly faced with the actual version of the life she has been selling to millions of followers.
No filters. No modern conveniences. No beautifully curated version of “simple living.”
That hooked me.
And even though the story ultimately didn’t work for me, Burke can write. There’s a big difference between I didn’t like this book and this isn’t a good writer, and those are absolutely not the same thing here.
The creativity is there. The writing is there. The satire is there.
Natalie and I, however, were never going to be friends.
And I don’t need to love a main character. Sometimes an unlikeable character is exactly what makes a book interesting. But with Natalie, I kept waiting to find that little piece of her that would make me understand her better or connect with her somehow.
For me, it never really came.
What I did find interesting was everything happening around her.
The desire to have more.
To look successful.
To make sure everyone else sees you as successful.
The obsession with money, followers, status, image and creating a life that looks enviable from the outside.
Dare I say…very American?
We see versions of it constantly. Social media. Reality TV. Celebrity culture. Even everyday life.
At some point, are we living our lives, or are we thinking about how our lives will look to everyone watching?
That part of Yesteryear stayed with me much more than Natalie herself did.
And this is exactly why, despite giving it only two glasses, I would absolutely hand this one to a book club.
Maybe because I gave it two glasses.
There is a LOT to talk about.
I have a feeling some readers will understand Natalie in ways I absolutely did not. Some may even sympathize with her. Others will probably have the same reaction I did.
And motherhood alone could take your conversation in ten different directions.
Then add influencer culture, wealth, gender roles, ambition, marriage, authenticity and our obsession with watching other people’s lives?
Pour another glass. You’re going to need some time.
Just brace yourself for different opinions.
Honestly, those are usually the best book-club nights anyway.
I couldn’t choose one wine for a book this polarizing.
So don’t. Everyone has a personality and an opinion, so let yours play out too.
Make it a Yesteryear red or white wine flight. 🍷🍷🍷
Pour a few very different bottles and let everyone pick their favorite:
Pinot Noir: Smooth, approachable and generally pretty easy to like.
Cabernet Franc: Earthier, a little more opinionated and slightly unexpected. It also has an Old World feel that works nicely with the 1855 side of the story.
Syrah: Darker, bolder and a little more intense.
Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, bright and a little sharp.
Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, bright and a little sharp.
Chardonnay : Richer and more layered, especially if you choose one with a little oak. This works well with the book’s heavier themes around status, image and comfort.
Riesling: Aromatic, slightly unexpected and a nice contrast to the other two. Go dry or off-dry rather than very sweet.
Then see if your wine choice matches your opinion of Natalie.
I’m pretty sure that could become an entire second conversation.
I gave the story two glasses, but I’d rate Burke’s creativity and writing much higher.
And apparently I’m not totally done with Natalie yet.
Because when Yesteryear becomes a movie?
I’m going.
This feels like one of those stories that could be fascinating on screen.
So no, Yesteryear wasn’t my favorite read.
But would I talk about it over wine?
Absolutely.
Cheers, friends!
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