Monday, April 25, 2011

Review: The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen




Description from Amazon:

Lillian Haswell, brilliant daughter of the local apothecary, yearns for more adventure and experience than life in her father's shop and their small village provides. She also longs to know the truth behind her mother's disappearance, which villagers whisper about but her father refuses to discuss. Opportunity comes when a distant aunt offers to educate her as a lady in London. Exposed to fashionable society and romance--as well as clues about her mother--Lilly is torn when she is summoned back to her ailing father's bedside. Women are forbidden to work as apothecaries, so to save the family legacy, Lilly will have to make it appear as if her father is still making all the diagnoses and decisions. But the suspicious eyes of a scholarly physician and a competing apothecary are upon her. As they vie for village prominence, three men also vie for Lilly's heart.


My Thoughts:
The Apothecary's Daughter was the first book that I have read on my Kindle. It was an enjoyable historical fiction novel, that transports you as a reader to a small village in England in the 19th century. The main character, Lilly Haswell is the daughter of an Apothecary who assists her father in their family owned business. She is consumed with wonder as to how and why her mother could have left her, her father and brother who is sweet and mentally slow. She is invited to spend time in London with her Aunt and Uncle which exposes her to a life of luxury and wealth that she has not experienced before. She hopes to find answers about her mother and possibly a suitor as that is her Aunt and Uncle's wish as they expose her to the luxurious life in London. Lilly loves the life she leads in London and the culture and fashion she is exposed to.  She is still drawn to her village life and a sudden change brings her back home where she learns where her heart lies and with whom. She learns much about family, friendship. loyalty and love.  This novel shares the strong elements of Regency England, the society of London and the village life wonderfully. There is a Christian element to the novel that is subtle and not preachy which I appreciated and it didn't deflect from the novel.  I am glad that I read this novel as it was a freebie offered by Amazon at the time and it is now purchase only. The benefits of the Kindle is that there are so many wonderful free novels that you can explore and find new authors as I did with Julie Klassen. The Apothecary's Daughter is also available in paperback.




6 comments:

  1. I picked this up as a Kindle freebie too and hope to read it this summer. Nice review! I've discovered several new authors because of the free offers.

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  2. I bet my mother would love this book!

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  3. I downloaded this one too. I couldn't wait to get it because I read one of her book The Silent Governess and really enjoyed it!

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  4. I have this on my Nook also. I am finding many new author by reading these freebies.

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  5. I have this one too and I'm anxious to read it. I'm glad to hear it's good.

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  6. This one sounds fantastic. Now, I'm anxious to find a copy. 2 Kids and Tired Books

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