August book of the month: THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS. Come and chat to author Elizabeth Gilbert on Thursday 18 September, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Oprah magazine called our August choice ‘the book of a lifetime’, and there is no doubt that The Signature of All Things is a big book.

It is epic in scope – an adventure through the nineteenth century that takes in botany, female emancipation, genius, Darwinism, war and empire – with a delight in the boundless beauty of the natural world.

Elizabeth Gilbert is an award-winning writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and the author of the phenomenal bestseller Eat Pray Love, which was published in over thirty languages and sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Elizabeth will be joining us for a webchat to chat about this book and her other fiction and non-fiction in early September - date TBC.

We have 50 copies of The Signature of all Things to giveaway. Apply here for a a free copy. If you're one of the lucky 50 we will inform you next Tuesday (22nd July). If you don't access a free copy, order it up online to read over the summer to join us for bookclub in September.

My copy arrived just in time to be taken on holidays and I finished it in a couple of days once I got started.

I found it to be a compelling and immersive book. Who would have thought I would find botany, and moss in particular, interesting at all? But this was an engrossing read that raised interesting questions about the intersection of faith and science. The main character Alma was likeable and honest enough about her failing to make you root for her when life kept handing her handfuls of lemons. I thought that starting the book by drawing you into her father's life was inspired, he was such a powerful character and it shaped how you viewed his impact on Alma and the rest of the story.

I did start to lose interest in the story part way through but it did engage me again after a while and actually in the end I really enjoyed this book.

Just finished this and really enjoyed it. The book is a wonderful homage to the beauty and complexity of the natural world, as seen through the eyes of fictional 19th century botanist Alma Whittaker. A sweeping novel that takes in the discovery of quinine, cultivation of vanilla, the struggle for abolition and the American Civil War, the publication of Origin of the Species amongst other key historical events. It travels from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond.

Most characters rang true and were engagingly drawn; the writing fluid and unsentimental. At nearly 600 pages, this is an epic novel to immerse oneself and luxuriate in. I've never liked some of Gilbert's previous books (too sentimental, too self-indulgent for my tastes) but this feels very different; a real departure for the author.

Sure, there were sections I skipped through quickly, especially involving characters I disliked (Retta, Ambrose); the passages focusing on Alma's long drawn out sexual frustrations and her love-sickness for Ambrose were annoying, as was her sojourn in Tahiti; and I wish more had been made of Alma's father's story (a very interesting man, more so than his daughter)... But I was compelled to keep reading to the end.

A novel definitely worth persevering with.

Yes please!

An epic novel, beautifully written. Fact-packed and rich in detail, it conveys the life of its unusual but engaging heroine whilst at the same time giving us a panorama of life in the 19th century. Science and art, religion and mysticism, relationships and missed opportunities are but some of its themes. In fact, the novel is so broad in scope that I found it quite astounding - I was almost reeling when I finished it! Having said that, it was very absorbing and easy to read.

Is this the right thread to post reviews? Hope so!

I was looking forward to reading this book, but then I saw some less than positive reviews about it being too long, so it made me doubt myself BUT I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would! (and I didn't think is was too long!!)
I loved following the journey through scientific heroine Alma's life and found the science bits interesting too (unusually for me). This history seems really well reserched and certainly transported me back in time. I did find myself at times wondering if the character of Alma was a real historical figure (or based on one). I also liked how the book travelled to different parts of the world and brought them to life.
I think this book is well written, thoughtful and moving. I would reccommend it.

I was drawn to this book by the promise of a strong female character; a scientist in the 19th century making her way through life in a male and religion dominated world. I wasn't disappointed at all.

The book is much easier to read than you would think considering the scientific theme running through it. The idea of reading about a botanist doesn't seem too appealing, but the science doesn't take over. The writing flows well and I loved the tone of the book. I also loved the touch points with historical figures and events scattered throughout the book.

Hi all, I've finally finished to book and have written up my review on my blog, which you can read here:
www.cordeliascottage.co.uk/2014/08/book-review.html

OMG I absolutely LOVE the work of Elizabeth Gilbert. Was lucky enough to get an advanced review copy of The Signature of All Things prior to publication date. Finished it in about three days.....and might now read it again.
I loved Eat Pray, Love too and Lao have that as an audiobook which is read by Elizabeth. Fantastic stuff.

Just finished this book and I loved it. Really loved the character Alma and some parts of the book were funny too so good to have a bit of humour in there.

Sad parts too. Would now like to read more from this author.

If anyone is interested, The Signature Of All Things is £1.90 on the Kindle at the moment.

Thank you for that Cote.....got a hard copy but great to have it on Kindle too.

I completely and utterly loved this book. I really didn't connect at all with Eat Pray Love so it was a very welcome surprise to be so drawn into this. It was unpredictable but never improbable. The writing is beautiful. I had to check Alma Whittaker was fictional as she felt so real to me. I would love to know where the inspiration for her came from.

My question is about Alma, did you find it hard to write about a strong female scientist in a time that was dominated by men and religion? Was it hard to keep things authentic? I found her very believable, I think she's one of my favourite characters for a very long time.

I got the book and have just finished it finally but can't find where to write my review, does anyone know the link?

Ignore me ^^ found it

I really enjoyed this book although I had expected more travel throughout the book rather than merely naming places until the end of the book. I didn't feel any connection to the main female character but that in itself made me want to read more.
I did enjoy the historical story and by the time I got two-thirds of the way through I was hooked. My dad is reading it now and loves it!

Hello, hope you all had tremendous holidays.

Thank you to those who have posted above, fascinating to see everyone's response to this epic book.

Just a reminder to pop any advance q's up here over the course of next week and I will send on to Elizabeth at the end of next week. Looking forward to chatting with her and with as many of you as possible, hope you can all make it on Tues 16th, 9pm...

Have just finishedmy very enjoyable and moving epic journey through Alma's life. Beautifully written. I will remember this book for a long time. I read the part where she goes out to look at mosses on boulder just before I visited a castle garden, and it inspired me to get up close to the mosses and lichens with my camera and imagine little worlds and forests on the rocks like Alma did. Do you have any background in botany or biology?

Stop Press Due to a last minute interview with [ahem] Oprah, Elizabeth can no longer do the webchat tomorrow eve so we've rescheduled for THURSDAY 18th SEPTEMBER - that's this Thursday at the same time 9-10pm. We do hope you're able to join us.

I just watched her talk on creativity on TED, linked via the mumsnet email. Very interesting lady... could this be the way to get my brain ticking again, post baby/child? I hope I catch the live web chat. I've never signed on before, but will give it a go for this lady!

Oh, can anyone give me any tips on how I can get onto the web chat... would love to catch it. Will it be posted as a link on Mumsnet homepage...?

The webchat will be right here, 9pm on Thursday. So just come back here and have all your questions ready.

Or if any of you can't make it, please do put your questions up here and we'll send them to Elizabeth in advance.

Do hope you can all make the new date. looking forward to seeing you all soon...

Thank you TillyBookClub, Thank you!

aaahh i've just rushed to finish the book ready for 9.00 and its not on til thurs. ah well so glad i've read that what a beautiful story and the book just got better as it went on. see you on thursday then!