Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, published by Fourth Estate, is a witty and thought-provoking debut that takes aim at the trad wife phenomenon and the curated realities of Instagram.
A Leap Back in Time
The novel follows Natalie, a trad wife influencer reminiscent of the Mormon Wives or Neeleman, who projects an idyllic life to her millions of followers. Living on a ranch in a farmhouse, she spends her days home-cooking, filming content with her cowboy husband, and homeschooling her six children. But one morning, she wakes up to find herself transported back to 1805, forced to live the very settler life she had curated online—only without the filters.
Themes and Satire
Burke tackles pop culture ideas of trad wives, social media, and the gap between curated online personas and reality. The novel also delves into more serious themes of religious conservatism and the allure of a simpler life. It is funny, sharp, and deeply engaging.
Yesteryear is out now and is expected to be everywhere this spring and summer. The IndyBest team will share their verdict in early May, giving readers a month to read along. Priced at £15 (or £10 from Amazon.co.uk), it is a timely and entertaining read.
