Let me just get this out of the way: I loved this book! I really did! At first glance, this book isn't the type I would usually pick up and read. I hate to admit this, but the only reason I read it in the first place was because it was free and delivered to my e-reader! That being said, I was captivated from the very beginning by this enjoyable, fascinating story.
The Apothecary's Daughter, by Julie Klassen, is the story of Lillian Haswell and her yearning for something more. As a woman in 1800's England, she is not allowed to follow in her father's and grandfather's footsteps as an apothecary. This really is not a problem for Lilly, because she cannot wait to bust out of her tiny village and find adventure beyond Bedsley Priors. When her opportunity to escape to London with her aunt and uncle comes along, she is quick to take it and start her long-hoped for adventure. In London she enjoys the life of a lady, and, with the help of her aunt and uncle, she seeks an appropriate suitor.
This is where I would usually close the book (or hit the power button) and be done. First of all, it's historical fiction. Historical fiction tends not to be a "go-to" book for me to read under just about any circumstance, but hey, it was free! Secondly, there is all this love-interest intrigue stuff. While Klassen weaves an absorbing tale, I found myself (as a friend put it): "irritated by her Jane Austen-like dithering over possible beaus!" (Kathy, I had to steal that line, it's spot on!) I think it would be fair to say that romantic historical fiction is a genre I usually avoid and rarely like. I know there are many readers that really love that element in a story - and they would probably love this book even more than I did!
Ms. Klassen does an especially good job developing the characters in her story, they are so authentic and likable. You get to know them quite well and can't help but be interested in their stories and their lives. Another "character" in the book is apothecary. The author must have done extensive research to make it so real to the reader and it was such a fascinating aspect to read and learn about.
One thing I really liked about this book is that it wasn't just a good story with some Scripture thrown in to make it "Christian fiction," nor was it "preachy" and overbearing with Christian themes. The book tells the story of faith for the characters that struck me as genuine. It's a story of a true relationship (or lack thereof) between a person and how his/her faith can play out.
I would have to say that my favorite part of this book is that even with all the twists and turns, it is believable, and that you don't see the end coming from the beginning (you should know by now how I feel about that!). Check this book out of the Resource Center (when it arrives in the near future), and let me know what you think!
This book will soon be available in the SGC Resource Center
To purchase, click here.
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