Caro Claire Burke's Buzzy New Novel Tackles the Tradwife Phenomenon

The author's debut book 'Yesteryear' fictionalizes one of the internet's biggest obsessions.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:00pm

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph featuring shattered glass and glittering sequins, conceptually representing the glamour and fragility of the tradwife lifestyle.The shattered veneer of the tradwife influencer lifestyle, captured in a high-fashion, high-contrast close-up.University of Virginia Today

Caro Claire Burke's debut novel 'Yesteryear' follows the story of Natalie Heller Mills, a tradwife social media influencer who is suddenly transported back in time to the 1800s, forcing her to confront the realities of the lifestyle she has been promoting. The book is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of the spring, with Anne Hathaway already attached to star in and produce the film adaptation. Burke, who has built a following for her take-no-prisoners feminist commentary on her podcast and TikTok, became fascinated by the tradwife phenomenon and saw it as a way to explore deeper conversations about womanhood, capitalism, and patriarchy in America.

Why it matters

The tradwife lifestyle has become a major cultural obsession, with influencers building massive online followings by promoting a vision of domestic bliss that harkens back to the 1950s. But Burke sees the tradwife phenomenon as a 'fundamentally incoherent' response to the very real problems facing women today, from the broken work culture to the astronomical costs of childcare. Her novel aims to unpack the appeal of this lifestyle while also challenging the romanticized notions surrounding it.

The details

In 'Yesteryear,' Burke's protagonist Natalie Heller Mills is a tradwife influencer who runs a farm where she raises chickens and bakes bread for an audience of millions. But Natalie is suddenly transported back in time to the 1800s, forcing her to confront the harsh realities of the lifestyle she has been promoting. The novel keeps readers guessing as to whether Natalie has truly time traveled, is on some kind of twisted reality show, or if it's all a dream.

  • Burke began researching the tradwife phenomenon in the winter of 2024 while 'mindlessly scrolling social media'.
  • She wrote 'Yesteryear' in 2024, as the tradwife discourse was gaining momentum online.

The players

Caro Claire Burke

The author of the debut novel 'Yesteryear,' which fictionalizes the tradwife phenomenon. Burke has built a following for her feminist commentary on her podcast 'Diabolical Lies' and on TikTok.

Natalie Heller Mills

The protagonist of Burke's novel 'Yesteryear,' a tradwife social media influencer who is suddenly transported back in time to the 1800s.

Reena

Natalie's college roommate, a career-driven character who serves as a foil to the protagonist and a warning about the pitfalls of the 'lean-in' mentality.

Anne Hathaway

The acclaimed actress who has signed on to star in and produce the film adaptation of 'Yesteryear.'

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What they’re saying

“My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.”

— Anne Hathaway

“It's not like Natalie would've necessarily been better off doing what Reena did.”

— Caro Claire Burke, Author

“People are really desperate for community, and so when someone online tells you, 'We used to have community in the 1950s, and you were a housewife,' it's a very accessible visual.”

— Caro Claire Burke, Author

What’s next

The film adaptation of 'Yesteryear' is in development, with Anne Hathaway attached to star and produce.

The takeaway

Caro Claire Burke's novel 'Yesteryear' uses the tradwife phenomenon as a lens to explore deeper conversations about womanhood, capitalism, and patriarchy in America. By fictionalizing one of the internet's biggest obsessions, Burke aims to challenge the romanticized notions surrounding the tradwife lifestyle and offer a more nuanced perspective on the real-world challenges facing modern women.