YESTERYEAR

Book Review

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, published in hardback by HarperCollins on 9th April 2026. (currently on special offer at Waterstones)

I’ve been dying to recommend this since I read it in manuscript form a couple of years ago. It quickly became clear it would be Hot Property and I can see why. It was my first introduction to the Tradwife concept, now a pretty mainstream idea littering the internet but expertly handled here, with a fresh angle. I’ve read several interpretations of the Tradwife phenomenon since and none skewer this notion quite so stylishly or bitingly. (Although Jo Piazza’s Everyone Is Lying to You, previously reviewed here is very good too, but with a different slant). The actor Anne Hathaway immediately snapped up the screen rights to Yesteryear and I will be thrilled to watch it, but for now, it’s a jolly good read.

Natalie curates life on her Idaho cattle ranch for Instagram until she is transported to 1805 Utah and a very different lifestyle.

The Vibe: Natalie’s life revolves around presenting the world with the vision of perfection that is her wholesome Utah ranch farmhouse and her six (soon to be seven) children. Her handsome husband works on the farm while she performatively bakes sourdough and lives the good life. Things aren’t perfect though. Her content producer leaves without warning and her daughter Clementine calls her a tradwife. How much longer can Natalie ignore the murmurings of the Angry Women out there among her 8 million followers who call her an anti-feminist iconoclast? And who is the real Natalie? The one behind, or in front of the camera?

Thoughts and feelings: This timely and relevant drama is a stark and sometimes funny depiction of the current fascination with presentation and perception of the self through the prism of social media and, in this instance, the Tradwife trend. It draws on society’s engagement narrative with a desire for rustic and unachievable perfection and its negative consequences, shining a light on the problematic ideology of America’s alt-right movement. The mountainous Utah ranch provides a gorgeous backdrop and Natalie makes a beguiling protagonist.

Who will enjoy this? This is ideal for fans of R F Kuang’s Yellowface, Jennifer Egan, Margaret Atwood and Bonnie Garmus.

Final thoughts: This is such a gripping and enthralling read. The author cleverly depicts the impact of social media from an influencer’s perspective and uses it as a framework to comment on the mores of marriage and motherhood in the modern world. It was incredibly addictive and I loved it. The tension builds beautifully and the novel is perfectly paced. I was desperate to discover how the story would conclude and nervous of a disenchanting ending. Fortunately, I wasn’t disappointed and continued to be gripped right up until the intriguing and thought provoking end.

Click here to read a fascinating Guardian where the author explores the tradwife phenomenon.