Why I DNF’d Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (And Why That’s Okay)

I don’t usually reach for satirical novels or straight-up comedies. Irony can land when it’s playful and lighthearted—like Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream—but mean-spirited exaggeration and sarcasm? Hard pass. As I like to say: “Don't be a dick.” If you’re trying to make a point about society, reason and intellect go a lot further with me than dark, angry jabs.

That said, I saw the buzz about Yesteryear in Newsweek and figured I’d give it a shot before the inevitable TV/movie adaptation (Anne Hathaway is attached, apparently). The premise sounded intriguing: a modern “tradwife” (short for traditional wife) influencer—who promotes a hyper-traditional, homemaker lifestyle on social media—suddenly time-travels to the harsh realities of 1855. Social media satire + time travel? Sold.

However, by page 8 of the chapter titled “The Past,” I remembered exactly why satires like this aren’t my thing. The protagonist is written in a way that makes it really hard to root for her (or even like her), and the tone felt more biting and contemptuous than insightful. I don’t love social media influencer content, but I also don’t feel the need to dunk on it. I simply... don’t care. This book wanted me to care, and in a very specific, critical way.

I gave it a fair(ish) effort. I pushed to the end of the first chapter, then skipped into Chapter 1 (“The Present”). Still no spark. By page 11, I was nearly out. I’ve never “DNF’d” (Did Not Finish) a book this early before, but I knew this was one of those stories I’d turn off immediately if it were a show.

Hoping for the time travel elements that drew me in, I jumped ahead to around page 34 (“This is my home. This is not my home.”)... only for the chapter’s closing line to confirm my suspicions. This just isn’t for me. The satire is just too dark. It didn’t win me over.

Maybe the adaptation will smooth out the edges and deliver the fun time-travel payoff without as much venom. Others may love this book—it’s a best seller, after all—but Yesteryear and I are parting ways early. If you’re into biting takes on influencers and nostalgia culture, it might hit differently for you. For me? It’s going into the To Be Returned pile.

I’m spending the rest of my holiday weekend celebrating our great country’s 250th year anniversary by enjoying my peace and freedom.

Thanks for reading,

—Twilight