The Wonder

By: Emma Donoghue

Narrated by: Tara Egan Langley

Now a Netflix film starring Florence Pugh: In this “old-school page turner” (Stephen King, New York Times Book Review) by the bestselling author of Room, an English nurse is brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle—a girl said to have survived without food for months—and soon finds herself fighting to save the child's life.

Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O'Donnell, who believes herself to be living off manna from heaven, and a journalist is sent to cover the sensation. Lib Wright, a veteran of Florence Nightingale's Crimean campaign, is hired to keep watch over the girl.

Written with all the propulsive tension that made Room a huge bestseller, The Wonder works beautifully on many levels -- a tale of two strangers who transform each other's lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.

Acclaim for The Wonder:

"Deliciously gothic.... Dark and vivid, with complicated characters, this is a novel that lodges itself deep" (USA Today, 3/4 stars)

"Heartbreaking and transcendent"(New York Times)

"A fable as lean and discomfiting as Anna's dwindling body.... Donoghue keeps us riveted" (Chicago Tribune)

"Donoghue poses powerful questions about faith and belief" (Newsday)

Critic reviews

"Fascinating.... Like The Turn of the Screw, the novel opens irresistibly, when a young woman with a troubled past gets an enigmatic posting in a remote place.... Heartbreaking and transcendent and almost religious in itself."—Sarah Lyall, New York Times

"A fine, fact-based historical novel, an old-school page turner...Donoghue has written, with crackling intensity, about [spirituality's] power to destroy."—Stephen King, New York Times Book Review

"[Donoghue's] contemporary thriller Room made [her] an international bestseller, but this gripping tale offers a welcome reminder that her historical fiction is equally fine."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Outstanding.... Exploring the nature of faith and trust with heartrending intensity, Donoghue's superb novel will leave few unaffected."—Sarah Johnson, Booklist (starred review)

"Donoghue demonstrates her versatility by dabbling in a wide range of literary styles in this latest novel.... The closely imagined, intricately drawn story possesses many of the same alluring qualities as her bestseller, Room. .... Donoghue's engrossing novel is loaded with descriptions of period customs and 19th-century Catholic devotional objects and prayers...[and] asks daring questions about just how far some might go to prove their faith."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Donoghue is known for her bestselling novel, Room.... [But] she is also well versed in historical fiction. THE WONDER brings together the best of all, combining a gracefully tense, young voice with a richly detailed historical setting."—The Millions

"Readers of historical fiction will gravitate to this tale."—Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times

"A riveting allegory about the trickle-down effect of trauma."—Megan O'Grady, Vogue

"Donoghue poses powerful questions about faith and belief all the while crafting a compelling story and an evocative portrait of 19th-century Irish provincial society."—Tom Beer, Newsday

"Donoghue's superb thriller will keep readers hanging on to every word, pondering how far one will go to prove her faith."—Liz Loerke, Real Simple

"Gripping."—Claire Stern, InStyle.com

"What at first seems a simple matter becomes far more-stick with it, the payoff is there."—Steph Opitz, Marie Claire

"Fresh and unusually lively historical fiction. [Donoghue's] latest novel brings together both her preoccupation with child peril and her gift for history."—Boris Kachka, Vulture

"A haunting novel about good vs. evil."—Brenda Janowitz, PopSugar

Riveting

Started off slow but so glad I stuck with it. Amazing storyline and narration. Now on to look at the other novels by this author.

Slow start but amazing finale!

First off, hats off to Tara Egan Langley for a spectacular performance of this wonderful and brooding novel! No spoilers but the story moves slowly at first, and I found myself losing patience with the narrator and almost every other stubborn character in the book. But partway through, finally, a character who helps to shed light on the odd circumstances, and mystery upon mystery is revealed. The author kept me guessing until the end. I will now watch the Netflix film!

Narrator makes this story

Gripping story…I’ve been an Audible member for a long time & Tara Egan Langley is the best narrator I’ve heard.

compelling, slow and disturbing

My title sums it up. you can understand how a young Irish girl can get caught up in the Catholic ideology. You. can also understand how such a thing may happen. The book also reinforcers how the church is a master of cover ups. So much for following Jesus teachings.
Just do what you want and you'll be forgiven.

great story, amazing narration

Very moving and poignant story. I haven't seen the movie, but I plan to now. I hope it does this book justice. the narrator did a fantastic job! I listened to audiobooks all the time, and I can count on one hand the number of narrators that have blown me away with their talent, and this one is definitely one of the best I've ever heard.