Yesteryear

“What are Tradwifes?” This question is asked not only by Clementine—the eldest child of the main character, Natalie—but also by many potential readers. In the U.S., however, they are already widely known. Young, pretty, white, Christian women who outwardly lead a 19th-century lifestyle. Women take care of the home and family and give birth to one child after another, while men provide security, finances, and—well, more children. Of course, these women skillfully hide the fact that there’s a massive machinery of support staff behind it all and that it’s all much more appearance than reality. After all, it’s their job to sell the illusion of an idyllic world from the good old days. Over time, however, some of Natalie’s followers begin to realize what life on the Yesteryear Farm is really like. When she then wakes up one morning truly in the past, the question arises: Who is responsible? Her family? A stalker? Medication? Yesteryear is a gripping book that holds up an uncomfortable mirror to both the fantasies of right-wing populists in the U.S. and social media as a whole.

A stay-at-home mom of the twenty first century shares her traditional, religious lifestyle (and the carefully curated, trade marketed products that go along) with the world via internet. All looks perfectly fine until she wakes up in the middle nineteenth century - and all of her modern kitchen appliances are suddenly gone. A tragicomedy full of cynicism and with an unexpected plot twist.

I was faszinated from the start and this story about a "traditonal", "good christian" woman who became an influencer, showing her perfect life, farm and family to the angry women online didn't let me go once. I love how we slowly get to see Natalies ugly sides. From the start she's not very likeable but it get much worse the more we get to know her, her family, in-laws and everyone else involved. It's an absolute trainwreck and I loved it so much. Might be one of my Highlights of 2026! Oh and that twist? Brilliant!

Yesteryear is an unhinged and gripping read, unlike anything I have read before. The narrator is both unlikeable and unreliable, which makes the story even more intriguing, as you never quite know what to believe. The timeline is not always clear, which can be confusing at times, but it also enhances the overall sense of confusion and chaos throughout the book. What I found most interesting were the very current topics, particularly social media, how fake it can be, and what really goes on behind the scenes. Definitely a book that gives you plenty to think about!

I didn’t really like Nathalie from the start, but it only got much worse. However, I must admit that I felt a certain pity when the full extent of her disturbance became clear. When you consider how her life might have turned out had she received the help she needed. I find it remarkable that there isn’t a clear timeline. Towards the end, it can get a bit confusing, but I also think that’s intentional. Just like Nathalie’s unsympathetic and, at times, crazy thoughts and actions. This is a true literary masterpiece: writing about an unlikeable protagonist – who is, in addition, an unreliable narrator – in such a way that you can’t put the book down whilst simultaneously wanting to throw it against the wall is an art that many have not mastered, let alone in their debut novel! I listened to the audiobook, which I can highly recommend: the (real) narrator breathes life into Nathalie’s fakeness and unsympathetic nature with her voice. So much so that I almost wanted to switch it off because it made me so angry and annoyed. A book that definitely deserves its praise and media attention. Especially in this day and age, when ‘tradwives’ are a real phenomenon and more and more children from influencer families are speaking out about what really goes on behind the scenes.