Dec/Jan 2015- The Signature of all Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

Signature of all things by Elizabeth Gilbert

'Signature of all things' is an epic set amongst the famous discoverers and discoveries of the late 18th, and 19th centuries. The story of Alma Whittaker born in 1800 begins with the journey of her self made, ambitious father Henry, a poor Londoner, who travels with Cook to Hawaii, works for the famous botanist Joseph Banks and makes his fortune in quinine trade in South America. It traverses the globe from London, to South America, Tahiti, Hawaii, Philadelphia and Amsterdam. It is so much more than a saga though; it is full of science and fascinating botany. In this time of time of new ideas Alma is working on her own ideas and the theory of evolution.

Elizabeth Gilbert spent 3 1/2 years researching this book and it shows. She was featured in an article in last weekend's SMH:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/opposites-attract-20150210-13a0c8.html

Megan mentioned this book last year and assured us that it was better reading than Gilbert's other, more famous book. Most of were skeptical, but Megan pushed on and when it was her turn to choose she had us. And she was right, the book was thoroughly enjoyed by all except Kristy who'd had enough of the binding closet and what Alma did in there. 

The scores:

Anna            8

Annette        8

Cheryl          9

Deb             10

Genevieve    9

Kristy            5  

Megan         10

Phil               9

Average   8.5