Helpful Score: 3
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this book is wow. The imagery set forth is beautiful and the prose is profound. Julie Klassen weaves a story of emotion, and beauty. Of a young woman just trying to find her way in the world. When we first come upon Lillian Haswell (Lilly) she is a daughter who wishes to do what most daughters do at some time in their life, flee home. But as the daughter of an Apothecary she isnt sure how she will be able to do so. Enter the brother of her long missing mother Rosamond.
Lilly is given the chance to go to London and experience a season by her aunt and uncle. They will sponsor her and dress her, and al of the other wonderful things of a fine lady in London. The offer she was waiting for! Lilly takes it and spends two happy years in London, she is flirted with, courted and almost makes several matches. Until that is of course the men find out what her father does. At the end of two years however Lilly is called home to tend to her ill father.
We find a great many ups and downs in the story of Lillian and her family. Her father Charles is a kind hearted man with some secrets in his passed, who is ailing and desperately trying to be well enough so he can continue the business. Her brother Charlie is such a loveable character, he is a bit simple, but loving and he tries hard. He finds his love in gardening.
While the story has many tender moments that will make you cry I also enjoy some of the funnier. Lily has so many suitors she doesnt know what to do with them. Roger Bromley from London, the next baronet of her town, Roderick Marlow, Mr. Shuttelsworth, Dr.Graves and her fathers old apprentice Francis Baylor OH MY! You will not be left bored when reading this book. If youre a woman you will feel Lillys plight, living in a world where she knows the knowledge, enjoys the work and is good at it. But because she is a woman she is not allowed to practice openly. Because she is a woman she is supposed to rely on men, but they are all leaning on her!
The Apothecarys daughter is a coming of age story. You will follow the stories of everyone in the book, but mostly you stay with Lillian. She has heart ache, and confusion and happy moments too. This is a real story, and it sucks you in. You care about the characters, you love them. You begin to wish Lilly could go back to London, or should she stay home? You never know which would be better, not until the very end.
Lilly is given the chance to go to London and experience a season by her aunt and uncle. They will sponsor her and dress her, and al of the other wonderful things of a fine lady in London. The offer she was waiting for! Lilly takes it and spends two happy years in London, she is flirted with, courted and almost makes several matches. Until that is of course the men find out what her father does. At the end of two years however Lilly is called home to tend to her ill father.
We find a great many ups and downs in the story of Lillian and her family. Her father Charles is a kind hearted man with some secrets in his passed, who is ailing and desperately trying to be well enough so he can continue the business. Her brother Charlie is such a loveable character, he is a bit simple, but loving and he tries hard. He finds his love in gardening.
While the story has many tender moments that will make you cry I also enjoy some of the funnier. Lily has so many suitors she doesnt know what to do with them. Roger Bromley from London, the next baronet of her town, Roderick Marlow, Mr. Shuttelsworth, Dr.Graves and her fathers old apprentice Francis Baylor OH MY! You will not be left bored when reading this book. If youre a woman you will feel Lillys plight, living in a world where she knows the knowledge, enjoys the work and is good at it. But because she is a woman she is not allowed to practice openly. Because she is a woman she is supposed to rely on men, but they are all leaning on her!
The Apothecarys daughter is a coming of age story. You will follow the stories of everyone in the book, but mostly you stay with Lillian. She has heart ache, and confusion and happy moments too. This is a real story, and it sucks you in. You care about the characters, you love them. You begin to wish Lilly could go back to London, or should she stay home? You never know which would be better, not until the very end.
Helpful Score: 2
Julie Klassen does such a fine job with historical fiction! While I enjoyed her first book, "Lady of Milkweed Manor", she has surpassed her self with this book. Very well researched and well written, "The Apothecary's Daughter" is a real treat for readers. I recommend it highly.
Helpful Score: 2
Another incredible piece of historical fiction with strong characters from second published author Julie Klassen. Without a doubt, Klassen is on my favorite author's list. Both Lady of Milkweed Manor (her first book) and The Apothecary's Daughter were so enjoyable.
Each chapter starts with a quote of various pharmaceutical and apothecary means as well as a few others and it really sets the scene. It is something she also used in her first book, and I truly believe that it adds an incredible important element to the way her story is told. This book is divided up into sections that works quite well. It is a long book and fabulously so, I did not want it to end.
The one qualm that I did have, is that the last section is very dark to me. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong and it was a little much to experience all at once, when the rest of the book was much more light heart-ed. I feel kinda like if there was so more happiness in there with the dark toward the end that it would have worked better. Then it ends abruptly exactly as a perfect ending as it could be. My opinion would have been to draw it out with more details and more "happy" within the dark cloud, rather than having everything fixed in a last chapter and epilogue. But then we readers cannot get everything we want when fabulous authors are limited to just 400 pages or so.
Good points and bad, my overall opinion is that the story is fabulous. My favorite portion of all is where the name for the book came from. It makes me teary eyed. And you will just have to go read it to find out why.
Once again a winner from Julie in my opinion, and I desperately cannot wait for more books from her in the future!
Each chapter starts with a quote of various pharmaceutical and apothecary means as well as a few others and it really sets the scene. It is something she also used in her first book, and I truly believe that it adds an incredible important element to the way her story is told. This book is divided up into sections that works quite well. It is a long book and fabulously so, I did not want it to end.
The one qualm that I did have, is that the last section is very dark to me. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong and it was a little much to experience all at once, when the rest of the book was much more light heart-ed. I feel kinda like if there was so more happiness in there with the dark toward the end that it would have worked better. Then it ends abruptly exactly as a perfect ending as it could be. My opinion would have been to draw it out with more details and more "happy" within the dark cloud, rather than having everything fixed in a last chapter and epilogue. But then we readers cannot get everything we want when fabulous authors are limited to just 400 pages or so.
Good points and bad, my overall opinion is that the story is fabulous. My favorite portion of all is where the name for the book came from. It makes me teary eyed. And you will just have to go read it to find out why.
Once again a winner from Julie in my opinion, and I desperately cannot wait for more books from her in the future!
Helpful Score: 2
This story had a lot of substance to it....It was a good read that kept you interested but also gave you history of the period. The medical society between Apothecary's, Surgeons and general medicine of the period is given life by the characters. Not a dull minute but many unexpected twists....ENJOYED IT!
Helpful Score: 1
Though romance and spiritual books are not my favored genres, I did enjoy reding this book. A fine romance, with plenty of twists and turns, set at the turn of the century.
Helpful Score: 1
It is an interesting story of a girl's dreams and hopes of a different life. It was interesting to learn about apothecaries and surgeons and that type of thing. Although I did enjoy the story, it seemed to have characters that didn't help the story really go anywhere. I also guessed the wrong man that she eventually chose, so that was a bit of a surprise. But a nice book to read.
Helpful Score: 1
I adored this book, I think partly because it was so reminiscent to Jane Austen, who I love. I was in complete suspense trying to figure out which man Lilly would ultimately end up with. It was a lovely read, and I'm so glad I picked it up.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first book by Julie Klassen and all I can say is Wow! I enjoyed reading this book so much, that I read it in one day. It kept my attention and kept me wondering who Lilly would end up with. Jule Klassen did a wonderful job of describing everything. This will definitely not be my last book by Klassen. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a delightful read, full of colorful characters and a plot line that warms the heart.
I was surprised to find myself thoroughly enjoying this Regency romance, as it's not my usual genre. I do enjoy historical romances, though, and this one came as a free ebook so I gave it a try. I found it full of fascinating background information about apothecaries and the treatments they prescribed, as well as the clash between them and the university-educated doctors of the day. The romance itself was a little drawn-out, but I liked the way the author kept teasing the reader by presenting three eligible bachelors and hints of another possible suitor in the wings for our heroine to choose from. All in all, despite minor flaws, a very enjoyable book.
Very well written and full of information about historical medical practices. I felt like I learned something while reading. A cleanly written book; your teen daughter can read it without blushing!
I was not expecting to like this book, as apothecary is not something that interests me in the least. But, due to boredom, I picked it up last night and started reading. I had to make myself put it down to go to sleep, then resumed at first chance today. Miss Klassen is a great story teller, tickling all my senses - romance, intrigue, sorrow, joy... Great book if you like this genre, and good even if you don't.
Although this was listed as historical romance, I didn't see it as such. It was more the story of the young heroine searching for her mother for many years.
It took me several days to finish and I finished it only because I don't like leaving books unread. The first 75-100 pages were interesting but it just got boring after that.
The apothecary facts and references were interesting and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. However, there was so much going on with so many different people, I didn't enjoy the rest of the book.
It took me several days to finish and I finished it only because I don't like leaving books unread. The first 75-100 pages were interesting but it just got boring after that.
The apothecary facts and references were interesting and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. However, there was so much going on with so many different people, I didn't enjoy the rest of the book.
John A. and Marguerite E. W. (aliennightbird) reviewed The Apothecary's Daughter on + 40 more book reviews
I admit, I was a bit leary when I started the book that it might be dull, slow paced, or have an uninteresting plot. But, it is fairly quick paced with decent imagry, details, and a writing style that really drew me into the action and characters. The book had a fairly complex plot with well-developed human main characters (and most of the secondary characters as well) that grow and change throughout the book.
The story takes place in a small Englsh villiage, starting in 1810, although most of the action takes place about five to seven years later.
Lilly Haswell is the daughter of the (for the most part) well-respected and loved local apothecary (which is sort of, more or less a cross among a pharmasist, a herbalist, and, to my surprise, a doctor or rather the equivalent of modern-day nurse-practitiioner...they could diagnose, perscribe, and even do minor surgery and bleeding). She longs to find out what happened to her mother who ran away when she and her younger slightly mentally-retarded brother were children. She also longs to see the world outside of the local villiage. So, when her wealthy, high-class maternal relatives invite her to live with them in London, she jumps at the chance. And when the haughty, cruel son of the local baron tries to force his attentions on her, her father approves. It is also her chance to marry above her class as a mere shopkeeper's daughter.
London is exciting at first, but she misses home. It also becomes more and more difficult to keep to herself her father's career. Like it or not, she would be a better apothecary than many of the males, including her father's apprentice EXCEPT that a woman was not allowed to practice the profession, and would be severely punished by the law and the Apothecary's Guild if she tried.
Then, she is called home. Her father is sick and his shop is falling apart. As she takes over her father's shop (although legally, she is not allowed to do so!!!!!), retores it with the help of the neighbors, and plans new things, while her father recouperates, she is torn between returning to London and the increasing appeal of her villiage.
She still follows clues to what happened to her mother. Her friendship with the local widowed coffeeshop owner and her daughter and best friend, Mary, who has epilepsy grows. Throughout the book, she is courted by, if I counted right, about a half-dozen men, some good, some not so good. She and her father also have trouble with the local physicial who, for some reason, has it in for the Haswell family and will do anything to ruin them. (One weakness in the plot is that I did not read any reason for the animosity, or if I did, I don't remember it.) On top of that, there are changing laws limiting what an apothecary can and cannot do. Then, there is, of course, the family secret and shame of what really happened when her mother disappeared.
Well, if I say any more, there would be huge spoilers. I may have already gone to far. It is a great story, I think. It was listed in the Christian fiction section at Border's, but there is no preaching. Any Christianity flows with the plot and the time and, is well woven into the story.
One of the few criticisms I had about the books is that the ending seemed a little rushed.
The story takes place in a small Englsh villiage, starting in 1810, although most of the action takes place about five to seven years later.
Lilly Haswell is the daughter of the (for the most part) well-respected and loved local apothecary (which is sort of, more or less a cross among a pharmasist, a herbalist, and, to my surprise, a doctor or rather the equivalent of modern-day nurse-practitiioner...they could diagnose, perscribe, and even do minor surgery and bleeding). She longs to find out what happened to her mother who ran away when she and her younger slightly mentally-retarded brother were children. She also longs to see the world outside of the local villiage. So, when her wealthy, high-class maternal relatives invite her to live with them in London, she jumps at the chance. And when the haughty, cruel son of the local baron tries to force his attentions on her, her father approves. It is also her chance to marry above her class as a mere shopkeeper's daughter.
London is exciting at first, but she misses home. It also becomes more and more difficult to keep to herself her father's career. Like it or not, she would be a better apothecary than many of the males, including her father's apprentice EXCEPT that a woman was not allowed to practice the profession, and would be severely punished by the law and the Apothecary's Guild if she tried.
Then, she is called home. Her father is sick and his shop is falling apart. As she takes over her father's shop (although legally, she is not allowed to do so!!!!!), retores it with the help of the neighbors, and plans new things, while her father recouperates, she is torn between returning to London and the increasing appeal of her villiage.
She still follows clues to what happened to her mother. Her friendship with the local widowed coffeeshop owner and her daughter and best friend, Mary, who has epilepsy grows. Throughout the book, she is courted by, if I counted right, about a half-dozen men, some good, some not so good. She and her father also have trouble with the local physicial who, for some reason, has it in for the Haswell family and will do anything to ruin them. (One weakness in the plot is that I did not read any reason for the animosity, or if I did, I don't remember it.) On top of that, there are changing laws limiting what an apothecary can and cannot do. Then, there is, of course, the family secret and shame of what really happened when her mother disappeared.
Well, if I say any more, there would be huge spoilers. I may have already gone to far. It is a great story, I think. It was listed in the Christian fiction section at Border's, but there is no preaching. Any Christianity flows with the plot and the time and, is well woven into the story.
One of the few criticisms I had about the books is that the ending seemed a little rushed.
The author did a lot of research into the practice of an apothecary as well as the early 19th century medical occupations. I learned a lot about the herbs used in medicines, some still used today. Was definitely a unique storyline than I've ever read before. I even found a quote that I like and will use in my genealogy: "Cemeteries and headstones are for the living...." Will definitely be reading more by this author.
I Loved this book!!!! I could not put it down. Highly recommended reading.
This was a great book! I loved the characters and the plot was great. It keep me on my toes through out the whole book! This wasn't the first book I have read by Julie Klassen, I read the Silent Governess & also enjoyed it, but I believe this book is much better!
Another beautiful story by Julie Klassen! I liked her first book, 'Lady of Milkweed Manor' better than this one, the second, but it's still a great story with plenty of unexpected twists and turns and very memorable characters. Well done!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The plot did not progress predictably, which doesn't always happen in a period novel. I enjoyed the details that Klassen incorporated into novel; they definitely added to the story.
This is the second book by Julie Klassen I have read and I wasn't disappointed. Excellent historic story and superb writing. It was a pleasure to read.
I learned quite a bit about Apothecary history from this novel. The history coupled with the struggle of Lilly being a female at a time when women were not welcomed into the medical field, made for an interesting story. 3 1/2 stars - full review at my website.
** spoiler alert ** I didn't like this one, it was semi interesting to learn about what would be considered a pharmacist job in those days and some of the characters were mildly interesting. Seemed Lilly had too many suitors throughout to make it believable as to why and never really satisfied as to what happened with her mother. Sad about Mary as well. I don't know, as much as I got the message you have to leave something/lose it to realize its value it never really seemed Lilly would be happy in apothecary for the rest of her life.
