The signature of all things - Elizabeth Gilbert

[Trappedmumof3]

Just had to tell people about this book as I can't stop thinking about it, even though I read it last summer!

It was one of those books that I couldn't wait until the next time I could read a bit more of it, and then found myself slowing down towards the end as I don't want it to finish! I still miss it!

It tells the story of a woman and her journeys through life and the world, set in the 19th century. The story is simply wonderful, and the historical detail makes it feel so real. It was utterly absorbing and I need to spread the joy!

Also - has anyone read it and found anything similar for me to get stuck into?!

I loved this book. So much better than Eat Pray Love!

A similar book is Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chevalier, about Mary Anning.

I will have a look, I've been wanting a good story to read. I quite liked The Minituarist, set around that time period, good writer

I read it several years ago and, like you, found it unputdownable. Who knew the study of moss could be so fascinating 😀

Ooh thanks, I'll check it out!

Oh it's a marvellous book, I really can't recommend it enough!

Indeed! 😂

I listened to it on audible - it was great

A similar "feel" of book is The Poison wood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. It's about a missionary family dragged to the Congo by their evangelist minister father in the 1960s. I found it extremely absorbing and the world BK created was so real.

I listened to this as Audible bit put off by the wanking element !

I ordered a print copy, looking forward to reading

It's one of my favourite books - so different from Eat, Pray, Love.

Very different subject, but Sealswoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson is
really engrossing and readable in a similar way. Set in 17th century and
about am Icelandic woman who is kidnapped by pirates and taken to
Algiers

Brooklyn by Colm Tobin is really atmospheric, and the characters
stayed with me in a similar way to those in Signature.

Have you read City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert? Really different style
to both Eat Pray Love and Signature of all things - its about show girls
in 1940s New York. Not as good as Signature I don't think, but still a good
read.

Okaaaay

I'm not joking masturbation is a plot point!

I loved this book! I tell everyone about it. I quite agree about making moss interesting. It was so beautifully written and the characters were fascinating. Was the main character based on a real person? I may have made that up.

Read 'Remarkable Creatures' afterwards and loved that too.

Delivered today went to open the parcel and stepped on my glasses. Reading close to my face, now on Alma past her toddler years. I love the style of the writing and it's just so easy to read and absorbing. I go long times without finding a good writer so I'm really happy to find one. I'm going to be taking this to bed with me.

Wonderful! You'll be looking forward to an early night in bed with it for a good few nights I hope! Enjoy x

Thank you for recommending this OP. Just finished it and it's the best book I've read in ages.

I'm really pleased you mentioned that! I'm looking for a Book Group choice and this sounded good but I don't know them very well and i would've been embarrassed! I'll keep looking.

Don't let it put you off!

Thanks. I'll put it on my to read list (I liked Eat Pray Love) but won't use it for Book Group. I think I've got one - Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, which I'm really enjoying so far (first few chapters).

@Pocketfullofdogtreats

Cloud Cuckoo Land was good plenty of talking points. I would definitely still read Signature.

Ahh, my pleasure! It's so engrossing, isn't it? I gave myself thumb ache from reading it in an odd position for too long! I just had to tell people about it, so I'm glad you enjoyed it!