Arguably the first true work of historical fiction in the English language, Daniel DeFoe's semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical A Journal of the Plague Year is as much a story about the City of London during the Plague as it is a story about being a Londoner during that time. Set in 1665, it ranks as one of the key precursors to all modern "apocalypse" literature (and other artforms) in the English world as well. At times it is humorous, at times its deeply disconcerting, and at times it is absolutely chilling. DeFoe's work comes off as a report, yet the vinettes and asides that deal with real people and their particular experiences or the rumors they dealt with, as well as the explanations of what we might call "plague culture" fill out said reporting, drawing you in and giving you a sense of having not only read a history but of speaking with survivors. Frankly, its beautiful, and if you like any one of a number of literary genres (e.g. 17th Century literature, horror, romance, historical fiction, and so on), you'll enjoy it, even if its heaviness requires some occasional respite (I had to put it down three or four times for a week or two at a time, admittedly, and recover). And if you're short on pennies, well, Project Gutenberg has come through again - read it or, and this is kinda' cool, hear it in mp3 format.Holy enormous wigs, Batman.
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