A Journal of the Plague Year

Book Review

A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe is not merely a chronicle of the disaster that struck London in 1665, but a profound exploration of the psychology of fear, loneliness, and human resilience. Defoe masterfully combines documentary accuracy with artistic expressiveness, creating an atmosphere of anxiety and hopelessness, where every sound and smell of the streets becomes a sinister omen. His narrative, rich in domestic detail, descriptions of customs, and daily rituals, transforms the city into a living organism seized by fever. Critics note the author's unique ability to blend personal testimony with a broad panorama of public life, as well as his subtle understanding of human nature: there are no heroes or villains in the book—only people confronted with an unknown horror. Defoe avoids moralizing, allowing the reader to judge the characters’ actions for themselves, and thus achieves genuine authenticity. A Journal of the Plague Year is a work in which historical catastrophe becomes an eternal reminder of the fragility of human existence and the strength of spirit capable of withstanding even the most merciless forces of nature.