This was my kind of book!!!!
Historical Fiction set in late 18th century London? Check.
Strong female characters facing hardship with secrets? Check.
Rambunctious girl who tries to help but messes up with devastating results? Check.
Modern day woman trying to solve the mystery of those strong female characters facing hardships 200 years ago and having her own issues? Check and check.
Nella, Eliza and Caroline all have their own stories, pasts, and secrets, but only two of them have any hope for their future. Nella has learned of potions and poisons and herbs from her mother, and her talents are a secret from all but those who truly need her services - oppressed women. She lives sparsely and alone in a secret shop hidden from all of London - all except those in the know. When 12 year old Eliza becomes a client, Nella does not want to get involved, but feels she must, and Eliza insists on helping. Nella has more than one secret and prefers to suffer alone, but feels her heart tugged by Eliza. When danger finds them, they must separate, in a most heartbreaking manner.
Meanwhile, Caroline is in London (two hundred years later!!) for what was supposed to be an anniversary trip that went very awry. A lover of history, she becomes fascinated by an apothecary's vial she finds by the river, and begins to investigate the markings on the side. Along the way, she finds some (not all) answers about the vial and about herself too.
I found the modern day story to be a bit trite - the whole marital problems (James is an ass, whyever would she have even liked that guy?), emotions, and improbable research. BUT I did like how Caroline grew during her stay in London, and her ending is most satisfactory. I would say the "ending" for Nella and Eliza is a bit more ambiguous and I would love to have a conversation with others about what they think happened in Nella's last chapter. I know what my optimist's heart would say! Nella is the most fascinating, as the poisoner and healer who herself is sick and wasting away. She seems to yearn for her own end, yet when Eliza comes along she is diverted. Nella is just downright sad, and Eliza bounces right on over that.
Themes of motherhood, sisterhood (and I don't mean that in the bloodline sense), female empowerment and taking responsibility for your life/actions run rampant here. Any male character is a mere outline, and frankly men are presented as all being awful here, at least in their actions towards our heroines. I never thought of Nella as a villain, more a victim - of poverty, of abuse, and maybe of depression.
The book itself has a whole section in the back about essential oils and building your own "apothecary" shop, right down to what tea to boil to help you sleep. A reader's guide has questions that begat more questions, and a history of mudlarking (gotta read the book to learn more!). A fun read, and a great debut effort from a promising writer.
No comments:
Post a Comment