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.

How long have you been working on this book?

Yay! I love Great Expectations! Will have to read "The Goldfinch".

I like the 'science boyfriend' tag for Wallace. The conversation between him and Alma at the end of the novel very much stuck in my mind, where they discuss the human mind, whether we create art/music/etc because a supreme intelligence is trying to commune with us.
Where do you stand on that philosophy? Alma is sympathetic but not entirely believing of it, and I wondered if that was your position too?

@vanbandi

How long have you been working on this book?

It took me about four years. Three years of research, and one year of writing and editing. A big investment, but honestly there is nothing I would rather do with my life...

It was my bit of me time - I think Alma's quiet world spoke to me! I'm glad she got to travel though.

@TillyBookClub

I like the 'science boyfriend' tag for Wallace. The conversation between him and Alma at the end of the novel very much stuck in my mind, where they discuss the human mind, whether we create art/music/etc because a supreme intelligence is trying to commune with us. Where do you stand on that philosophy? Alma is sympathetic but not entirely believing of it, and I wondered if that was your position too?

Thanks, Tilly! I am completely onboard with Wallace on the dual faith in both human science and a supreme universal intelligence. I love his idea — and it surprises me that we don't hear more about it, as it seems the perfect solution to the raging debate between science and religion. (Then again, I sort of DO see why nobody likes his answer...because it unravels fundamentalism on both sides, thereby offending everyone while satisfying nobody.) But as for Alma — I couldn't have her go along with Wallace on this. Initially, I had imagined she would find revelation in his words, but as I wrote the ending of the book I realized that she was far too much the perfect empirical scientist to make a leap of imagination and faith into something so whimsical and so un-provable. I thought, "She will never forgive me if I make her let go of pure reason at the last moment." So I let her hang out to her identity, and just let Wallace speak for me... :)

A bit of a boring/obvious question, but have you any plans for another book soon?

I'm glad alma held onto her beliefs. I think if she had changed her mind I would have been disappointed!

@MrsRedWhite214

A bit of a boring/obvious question, but have you any plans for another book soon?

Never a boring question! The author Elmore Leonard once replied, when somebody asked him which of his books was his favorite: "The next one!" The next one is always the favorite. I have a book coming out a year from now called BIG MAGIC, which is all about how to live a creative life without fear or drama.And I'm also working on a novel about the theater world in NYC in the 1940s. Thank you!

@Badgerwife

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'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this lovely review!

@jetSTAR

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.

Thank you, my dear! I'm glad you were seduced by the science. I'm not a scientist myself, but I find that era so fascinating that I couldn't resist...

Whilst researching this book, do you think of other books/projects for the future or do you just totally immerse yourself in the story?

How did you feel once you have completed a book? I was really pleased with the ending, it was both happy & sad - (thought provoking) however, at the end of a good book I feel a bit mean putting them down and moving on.

talking of me time, how do you protect your writing time? do you have to manage a lot of distractions?

Another question from me, about another part of the book that particularly stuck with me.

The bit where Alma and Ambrose read each other's minds (and experience other sensations!), in silence, is that something that you tried? It surprised me and intrigued me, and the way it was written made me feel you'd possibly come across it, perhaps when you were writing Eat Pray Love...

@AliJaneT

I would love to know the idea behind picking up Alma at age 48? I have only just discovered about this web chat tonight so I'm afraid I'm only half way through! Loving this book and how you're writing style has flourished. I'm a huge EPL fan and also loved Last American Man but found Stern Men, well they say 'wear your research lightly' and in Stern Men I found it a little bit heavy but in SOAT the background is so beautifully integrated into the story. Congratulations on a wonderful book. ( so far!) ?? ??

Thank you for such a great question! I picked up Alma at 48 because I am starting to believe increasingly that middle age is the most interesting part of a woman's life. (Hmmm...could this be because I myself am in my 40s?) It's not an age that is usually celebrated for women. Most heroines are young. But I don't think a woman is the most fascinating when she is young. I want to see what she makes of herself after life has taken a toll on her. I want to see how she handles disappointment, how she endures setbacks, how she reacts with love and romance don't necessarily turn out the way she planned. This, to me, is the juicy stuff of real character — the stuff I can't resist. Thank you for the question!

I'm really looking forward to reading The Signature of All Things.

Do you prefer writing fact, or fiction? And when you are writing of your own experience, how do you resist the temptation to add, well, poetic license?

@TillyBookClub

Another question from me, about another part of the book that particularly stuck with me.

The bit where Alma and Ambrose read each other's minds (and experience other sensations!), in silence, is that something that you tried? It surprised me and intrigued me, and the way it was written made me feel you'd possibly come across it, perhaps when you were writing Eat Pray Love...

Thank you, Tilly! It has never happened to me (I have far too pedestrian and cluttered a mind for such miracles) but I have several friends who swear to the heavens that it has happened to them. Maybe one of these days, when I get a plow and clear out this brain from all its miscellany, I, too, can ascend to the heavens in such a manner. But for now: back to the laundry!

I'm so glad to hear you're with Wallace on that one... I wondered!

Phew! So pleased I haven't missed the webchat (finally got away from story reading to the kids). I really enjoyed your novel. I have looked at the moss in my garden in a different light since reading this. Do you have a big garden? And do you grow vegetables at all -we're hoping to get an allotment over the next few months - any tips? Final question (if I may) I was delighted that Henry started life at Kew Gardens - one of my favourite places. Have you visited any other british gardens during your research?

I bought this book around Christmas as a gift to myself and kept it next to the sofa for a good few months, not wanting to start it as I knew I would love it and wanted to savour the moment as long as possible.... I'd pick it up, stroke the cover and say Hi to it every now and then - don't you just love the feel and smell of a new book!?

Then in March I started to take the book with me whenever I had the good fortune to go away on holiday (just purchased a touring caravan, which is delicious!) and read a couple of chapters each time. It took until the end of June to finish it, after it had travelled all over the UK.

I enjoyed every slow drop. Thank you Liz for giving us these characters, I'm a big fan! Incase you didn't guess... LOL xxx

@ClashCityRocker

I'm really looking forward to reading The Signature of All Things.

Do you prefer writing fact, or fiction? And when you are writing of your own experience, how do you resist the temptation to add, well, poetic license?

Hello! My feeling is that writing fiction is strangely sometimes more intimate and revealing than writing non-fiction. When you write a memoir (or, when I do, at least) you end up being so careful. You are really deliberately curating what you reveal about yourself, what you leave out, how you speak about other people. And of course you are bound by the truth. But when I write fiction, I feel utterly free. I can invent facts, I can change history, I can make relationships move in any direction whatsoever. But what ends up happening, in fiction, is that because I feel so free and unbridled, I end up accidentally revealing MORE of my private self than I do in memoir. I always tell people, "If you read carefully, you'll learn more about me from THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS than you will from EAT PRAY LOVE. And when they ask me, "What character are you?" I must answer honestly, "All of them." There is nothing in that novel that does not come from the deepest and most truthful part of me.

@Michybella

I bought this book around Christmas as a gift to myself and kept it next to the sofa for a good few months, not wanting to start it as I knew I would love it and wanted to savour the moment as long as possible.... I'd pick it up, stroke the cover and say Hi to it every now and then - don't you just love the feel and smell of a new book!?

Then in March I started to take the book with me whenever I had the good fortune to go away on holiday (just purchased a touring caravan, which is delicious!) and read a couple of chapters each time. It took until the end of June to finish it, after it had travelled all over the UK.

I enjoyed every slow drop. Thank you Liz for giving us these characters, I'm a big fan! Incase you didn't guess... LOL xxx

What a beautiful message! Thank you, dear one. I, too, love the slow buildup of a book you've been dying to read. I am so grateful for your appreciation. All the best to you!

@SundayGirl79

Phew! So pleased I haven't missed the webchat (finally got away from story reading to the kids). I really enjoyed your novel. I have looked at the moss in my garden in a different light since reading this. Do you have a big garden? And do you grow vegetables at all -we're hoping to get an allotment over the next few months - any tips? Final question (if I may) I was delighted that Henry started life at Kew Gardens - one of my favourite places. Have you visited any other british gardens during your research?

Hello my dear! SO GLAD YOU WERE READING TO YOUR KIDS! That's how I got my start as a passionate book fiend — from my mother diligently reading to me, night after night, year after year. Anyhow, to answer your question — I do have a garden. More flowers than veggies, because I find flowers more exciting, and also we have such good farmer's markets where I live that I would rather buy (better-raised) vegetables from local farmers, and give my land over to an explosion of useless beauty. I'd rather see daisies than cucumbers any day. And I'm so glad you love Kew — I love it, as well, and they were so helpful to me in my research. One of these days I'm going to do a long, slow, proper tour of British gardens....but for that, I will need a long, slow allotment of time!

@ImoIa

I'm so glad to hear you're with Wallace on that one... I wondered!

Oh, yeah. I've got LOTS of room in me for mystery and wonder. Alma, not so much! :)

Woah! Just did a double take - didn't expect to see my name on this thread! I usually let other people do the talking ;) I have already lent my copy of your book to my best friend - hope she likes it as much as I did!