A Parcel of Patterns

by Jill Paton Walsh

Book Overview

A parcel of patterns brought the plague to Eyam. A parcel sent up from London to George Vicars, a journeyman tailor, who was lodging with Mrs. Cooper in a cottage by the west end of the churchyard.

So begins Mall Percival's account of how her village of Eyam struggled against the plague. George Vicars dies on September 6, 1665, and by the end of October, twenty-five more townsfolk have been buried. As the deaths continue, the villagers,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374457433
• ISBN13: 9780374457433
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.1" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 12 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

review from a ten-year-old, Belfast, Maine

I thought this book was a very good one for a book report. I like how this book could mix in romance with tragedy, and how the author brings you into the story. The language was a little hard to understand, but otherwise I was able to get the book pretty well. If you are ever thinking about doing a project on the black plague, and you need an historical novel to read, then I recommend this be your first choice.

Not just for kids

Recalling what I liked and didn't like to read as a teenager, I am not surprised at the less-than-glowing reviews some kids have given A Parcel of Patterns. The old English speech patterns, though effective, do slow down comprehension of the plot, which centers upon 2 romances blossoming amongst a plague epidemic in 17th century England. As an avid but adult reader of medieval/Renaissance history, I can say that this book is a wonderful presentation of the experience of surviving amongst the hardships of everyday life, the Protestant religious conflicts, and the horrors of the plague and other catastrophic illnesses that no one could understand or effectively treat. I'd recommend this title to adults more than to teenagers, except to teens with a special interest in medieval history.

A Memorable Book

This book is truly one-of-a-kind. Written without chapters, it is the free flowing diary of a young English girl who experiences the plague firsthand. Mall's unique personality and Jill Paton Walsh's direct writing style make this book a wonderful one. I was disappointed to read some of the other reviews which condemned the book for being too boring. If you fell that way, you obviously aren't able to appreciate this kind of book and should leave it alone. This is a historical fiction and not everyone likes such books. But if you are that type of reader, this one is for you. Thank you JPW, for a book I'll never forget.

Short Summary of Parcel of Patterns

I saw that two 12 year olds had read this book, and both announced it "slow paced" and "boring". I am 14, having read this book when I was 13, and I did not find it at all like this. It was definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It's about Mall Percival, probably around 16, when a parcel of patterns is sent to the parson's wife, containing a fatal disease. The story is very short, and while Mall narrates a very livid and realistic description of what is going on, you watch the whole town slowly die out. The book is, overall, excellent. Some other characteristics? Very sad, dramatic, interesting and informative. I highly suggest this book. Well, now you have some pro and con reviews!

A Short Summary of A Parcel of Patterns

I am 14, having read this book when I was 13, and I did not find it at all boring. It was definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It's about Mall Percival, probably around 16, when a parcel of patterns is sent to the parson's wife, containing a fatal disease. The story is very short, and (...) Mall narrates a very livid and realistic description of what is going on(...). The book is, overall, excellent. Some other characteristics? Very sad, dramatic, interesting and informative. I highly suggest this book.