A Journal of the Plague Year, written by a citizen who continued all the while in London   By: Daniel Defoe (1661?-1731)

In "A Journal of the Plague Year," Daniel Defoe takes us on a harrowing journey through the darkest days of London's Great Plague of 1665. Through the eyes of an anonymous narrator, we witness the terrifying reality of an epidemic that gripped the entire city.

Unlike most contemporary works on the subject, Defoe's account is distinctive as it's written from the perspective of a citizen who didn't flee but chose to stay amidst the chaos. This decision lends a unique authenticity to the narrative, as we experience the plague's relentless toll on ordinary lives, alongside the immense fear and uncertainty that permeated every street, home, and heart.

Defoe's meticulous attention to detail is commendable. The way he describes the incremental progression of the disease creates a palpable sense of dread, making the reader fully appreciate the horrors faced by Londoners at the time. From the moment the plague made its initial appearance to the subsequent waves of infections, the author paints a vivid picture of a city under siege, plagued by a remorseless enemy.

Throughout the pages, the anonymity of the narrator serves as a reminder that this is not just a personal account but a testament to the collective suffering endured by an entire community. Defoe deftly explores the psychological impact of the plague, capturing the mix of resignation, hysteria, and desperation that engulfed the city's residents. The reader is made to ponder the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in the face of such devastation and the lengths they would go to preserve their own lives.

While the book primarily focuses on the horrors of the plague, Defoe also offers an unflinching critique of the ineffective response by the authorities. He highlights the mismanagement, lack of preparedness, and the subsequent breakdown of social structures that exacerbated the already dire situation. This indictment of the establishment's inability to effectively combat the epidemic adds another layer of depth to the narrative, poignantly reminding us of the frailty of human institutions and the consequences of their failures.

Despite its dark subject matter, "A Journal of the Plague Year" is not without moments of resilience, heroism, and camaraderie. Defoe's subtle exploration of human nature at its extremes showcases the best and worst of humanity, painting a complex and multi-faceted portrait of a city in crisis.

Although written more than three centuries ago, Defoe's account of the Great Plague remains relevant and hauntingly prescient even in the face of contemporary pandemics. "A Journal of the Plague Year" is a chilling and gripping work that offers a window into a time of unimaginable suffering and serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

First Page:

We had no such thing as printed newspapers in those days to spread rumours and reports of things, and to improve them by the invention of men, as I have lived to see practised since. But such things as these were gathered from the letters of merchants and others who corresponded abroad, and from them was handed about by word of mouth only; so that things did not spread instantly over the whole nation, as they do now... Continue reading book >>