“This is the last day of the life I imagined for myself.”
Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear (Knopf 2026) is certainly one of the buzziest books of the year. Buzzy books can be hit or miss for me, so I was already approaching it from the standpoint that it probably wouldn’t live up to the hype. Then I read a scathing review that said it was horrible, and only middle-aged women would enjoy it. I guess I am indeed a middle-aged woman because I thoroughly enjoyed it; this is a book that begs for scholarly articles to be written about it AND a book that would make a fantastic poolside summer read. I literally read it in one sitting. What Burke accomplishes in her character development of Natalie and in the political, religious, and social commentary in this satirical thriller about a “social media influencer” more than elevates this novel into the lit fic realm, while also clinging to a familiar, commercial lit element. I can’t believe this is a debut. Burke is extremely talented or extremely lucky – either way, I’ll likely read her next novel.
Natalie is a tradwife influencer whose life isn’t exactly as she depicts on Instagram. (She has nannies and a producer, and there are workers on the farm. I’ve not read interviews, but I have to think the drama around Ballerina Farms tickled Burke’s muse.) One morning, Natalie wakes up in what seems her house, just different. She finds herself truly living the “olden days” way of life she had depicted on social media, with children she doesn’t really recognize (to be fair, she often didn’t recognize her children before she wakes up in the past) and she’s convinced she’s either been kidnapped or is being filmed. (Think The Truman Show but darker.)
I don’t want to spoil the novel, and you’ve likely seen summaries everywhere you turn, so I’ll just say that the book 100% lives up to the hype. Don’t feel bad if you don’t like Natalie – you’re not supposed to. If you’re going to read a buzzy book this summer, make it this one.
A Girl Named Tommi 