Audience is Watching

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is spurring a lot of dialogue in social media book groups at the moment.

It follows Natalie’s life through college and her marriage to the rich and youngest son of a political family. Natalie is pretty unlikable and unreliable as a character: she hates everyone while also wanting their attention and envy.

Her decision to become a homesteading family for social media happens almost accidentally as a way to give her husband some purpose. She embraces the role so extensively (and under false pretenses) that it consumes her existence. Her off-camera personality is actually very socially awkward and spiteful. When a major event occurs that brings this side of herself to light, she snaps.

Spoilers- Natalie wakes up in 1855 in her home, but her husband seems different. Her five children and pregnancy are different too, as in this past time she is no longer pregnant and has four different children.

Natalie struggles day to day with this difficult existence without any technology, electricity or other comforts until finally reaching some clarity as to what’s really happening (years later).

A lot of the themes in this book (traditional wife roles compared to that of a working woman) as well as Natalie’s holier than thou attitude can be uncomfortable. She doesn’t get along with anyone. For me, it definitely shed a light on how social media has the potential to be very contrived and all-consuming to its creator and those involved as bystanders. Mental illness is also portrayed in the story, although it may be a bit of a stretch in how it exhibited itself for Natalie.