A GMA Book Club Pick

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke follows a modern woman who volunteers for a living-history experience set in the 1850s, expecting a controlled immersion into the past.

The premise quickly shifts as the environment reveals itself to be far less staged than advertised, forcing her to confront the realities of the time period in a direct and personal way. The novel builds its tension through that contrast between expectation and experience, using social dynamics, survival pressures, and moral discomfort to drive the narrative forward.

Yesteryear leans into questions around privilege, identity, and how people imagine the past versus how it actually functions. It lands as a concept-driven story that uses its premise to push character decisions and keep the stakes grounded in lived experience.

A Premise That Sparks Debate

The book has generated strong discussion around its premise and how it handles historical immersion, with readers focusing on the discomfort and realism embedded in the narrative. It has drawn attention for how it frames the past through a modern lens, prompting conversation about privilege and historical awareness.

The concept has helped it stand out, with many responding to the way it translates a high-level idea into a more immediate and personal story. Engagement has been driven by the scenario itself, which continues to spark debate and interpretation across reader groups.