Beautiful story to cherish
The Apothecary's Daughter is unbelievably compelling and delightful! Something about it just made me want to read it during every spare moment that I had---and I desired to read it even when I didn't really have the time to be reading! I just wasn't expecting such a beguiling setting.
First, I was attracted to the book because of the historical era of the early 1800's. The descriptions of the English village and the herbal remedies are engrossing. The descriptions of the elegant clothing and the dances are alluring. No other modern-published book that I have read has so easily communicated the era as well as this book did, for me.
My favorite parts of the story pertain to the medical side of the story. There are the natural medicines that Lilly Haswell prepares in her father's apothecary. Then there is the simplistic, almost primitive way, that people's illness are referred to as. For example, Lilly's friend has seizures (although never referred to as such), and Lilly's brother has mental complications, but these factors are described not in medical terms of how they would be spoken of today (I found this to be most enlightening!). It is charming the way it is mentioned towards Lilly's brother: "You may be small in the attic, but you have a big heart."
Sweet romantic moments are certainly woven throughout the storyline. There is only one bit of the book that, on reflection, I do wish wasn't so ingrained into the main plot. That is the role that Lilly's mother plays---a woman who has left her family behind to take hold of her own whims, and possibly even pulled away from them to accompany another man. However, this portion does add so much more color to the overall plot, that I still found it agreeable to the rest of the storyline.
All in all, this book was a breath of fresh air. I would read it again too. Can't wait to read more from Julie Klassen!
