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La hija del boticario
Londres, 1665. Susannah, hija de un boticario viudo, ha ayudado desde niña a su padre y se ha convertido en toda una experta en remedios naturales. El aroma resinoso de la lavanda, la esencia del romero, el regaliz y la trementina han impregnado siempre el ambiente que respiraba. Cuando su padre vuelve a casarse con una mujer mucho más joven que él, que además tiene tres hijos, su universo se derrumba.
En plena epidemia de la peste bubónica, la propuesta de matrimonio de un encantador amigo de la familia, Henry Savage, parece la mejor solución para huir de su situación. Pero a medida que la epidemia avanza por toda la ciudad, su marido resulta ser alguien distinto de lo que ella esperaba. Susannah necesitará todo su coraje y su pasión para salvarse de la tragedia, personal y colectiva, y deberá luchar por encontrar su sitio en un mundo demasiado complejo.
En plena epidemia de la peste bubónica, la propuesta de matrimonio de un encantador amigo de la familia, Henry Savage, parece la mejor solución para huir de su situación. Pero a medida que la epidemia avanza por toda la ciudad, su marido resulta ser alguien distinto de lo que ella esperaba. Susannah necesitará todo su coraje y su pasión para salvarse de la tragedia, personal y colectiva, y deberá luchar por encontrar su sitio en un mundo demasiado complejo.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
135 people are currently reading
2655 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Betts
20 books177 followersCharlotte Betts discovered a passion for writing after her five children had grown up and left her in peace. Demanding careers in hotel design and property force her to be inventive in finding time to write but she has achieved seven novels in eight years. One of her short stories was published in Scribble and others short-listed by Writers’ News and Real Writers’. She has won first prize in five short story competitions and wrote a regular column on interior design for The Maidenhead Advertiser for two years. She is a member of WordWatchers http://www.wordwatchers.net/ and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
March 9, 2017
I enjoy historical fiction anyway, so it wasn't difficult to like this book. It begins in 1665 during the dreaded plague in London.
It follows Susannah, the apothecary's daughter, and from the mundane, ( but for her) enjoyable life helping her father concoct his pills and potions , to the horrors brought to life of this most dreadful time in history. The descriptions of daily life during 1665 are such that you can feel the terror that beset the inhabitants. Susannah undergoes changes in her life that she could never have foreseen, and we live those changes with her both through the plague and also The Great Fire Of London in 1666.
A well researched and enjoyable story, a little predictable at times, but nevertheless an enjoyable read.
It follows Susannah, the apothecary's daughter, and from the mundane, ( but for her) enjoyable life helping her father concoct his pills and potions , to the horrors brought to life of this most dreadful time in history. The descriptions of daily life during 1665 are such that you can feel the terror that beset the inhabitants. Susannah undergoes changes in her life that she could never have foreseen, and we live those changes with her both through the plague and also The Great Fire Of London in 1666.
A well researched and enjoyable story, a little predictable at times, but nevertheless an enjoyable read.
March 21, 2015
I really liked the historical setting of this one. The descriptions of every day life in plague ridden London in 1665 were fascinating as was the brief glimpse in the final chapters of the Great Fire. However the story itself was far too predictable and I was constantly harassed by the feeling I had read the book before. I have not - it just resembled so many other books I have read. Altogether it was quite readable but not inspirational. Just three stars.
April 8, 2012
Oh lovely - what a satisfying read throughout!
I have spent the last few days living alongside Susannah the apothecary's daughter in plague ridden, pestilent, malodorous 15th century London. despite the foul backdrop I had a wonderful time there.
This is above all a romance but the authors canny research and ability to convey perfectly what it would feel like to witness unspeakable events unfolding, lift it from the mundane to the delightful. As well as the unfolding romance we are introduced to plague and pestilence, the development of medicine, slavery, the fire of London and the inequality of women all very well written and researched and conveyed in a way which isn't "preachy or teachy"
Susannah has had a good upbringing and is happy and settled helping her father run his apothecary shop despite the tragic loss of her mother in recent childbirth which she was witness to. But her life is turned upside down when her father announces his plans to remarry and Susannahs comfortable position is usurped by the calculating new wife. Dogged by misfortune we see Susannah struggle to regain a place in society while all around her London falls to rack and ruin taken over by plague whilst her own life mirrors this collapse and things go from bad to worse for the unfortunate Susannah.
The story is written cleanly and simply, with little of the unneccessary flowery language which often makes restoration period novels lengthy and hard to read, yet the dialogue and narrative flow beautifully and the descriptions are vivid and believable.
Many of the scenes conveyed are truly horrific, the transporting of bodies to the plague pits to name just one yet above the darkness is a story which is a delight to read and a book I wholeheartedly recommend if you like atmospheric historical romances.
I have spent the last few days living alongside Susannah the apothecary's daughter in plague ridden, pestilent, malodorous 15th century London. despite the foul backdrop I had a wonderful time there.
This is above all a romance but the authors canny research and ability to convey perfectly what it would feel like to witness unspeakable events unfolding, lift it from the mundane to the delightful. As well as the unfolding romance we are introduced to plague and pestilence, the development of medicine, slavery, the fire of London and the inequality of women all very well written and researched and conveyed in a way which isn't "preachy or teachy"
Susannah has had a good upbringing and is happy and settled helping her father run his apothecary shop despite the tragic loss of her mother in recent childbirth which she was witness to. But her life is turned upside down when her father announces his plans to remarry and Susannahs comfortable position is usurped by the calculating new wife. Dogged by misfortune we see Susannah struggle to regain a place in society while all around her London falls to rack and ruin taken over by plague whilst her own life mirrors this collapse and things go from bad to worse for the unfortunate Susannah.
The story is written cleanly and simply, with little of the unneccessary flowery language which often makes restoration period novels lengthy and hard to read, yet the dialogue and narrative flow beautifully and the descriptions are vivid and believable.
Many of the scenes conveyed are truly horrific, the transporting of bodies to the plague pits to name just one yet above the darkness is a story which is a delight to read and a book I wholeheartedly recommend if you like atmospheric historical romances.
April 11, 2020
Öncellikle kitap çok gerçekçiydi. Cidden yazar baya araştırmış etmiş. Hatta şu salgın varken veba salgını için alınan önlemlerin ne kadar benzer olduğunu gördüm. O zamanlar felaketler üst üste gelirken bile insanlar yaşamlarına bağlı kalıyorlar. İnançları sağlam bir şekilde. Gel gelelim aşk hikayemize. Susannahcım hizmetçi olmam olmam dedin oldun hem de sevmediğin bir adamla kötü zamanlar geçirdin bu da yetmedi durduk yere en kötü korkunla yüzleştin. Henry'le keşke evlenmeseydi ve önceden Will'e aşık olsaydı. Will ile olan ilişkilerini daha çok okumak isterdim. O kadar zaman Will ile olan ilişkilerini okumak için bekledim. Shipper kalbim Henry ile evlenince çok üzüldü hatta.😪 Neyse herkes yolunu buldu etti de shipper kalbim daha da acı çekmedi. Will keşke sende biraz karın olucak kadına leş kargası kuzenine kaptırmasaydın. Neyse onlar erdi muradına biz çıkalım kerevetine👋
April 17, 2022
Una novela histórica centrada en la vida de Susannah, como dice el título, hija de un boticario. La historia está entretenida, pero hay cosas que, como en los culebrones, lo descubren al final para darle emoción, pero (a veces pienso que la protagonista es un poco simple) yo ya había descubierto hace mucho y era fácil si sumabas dos más dos. En fin, la historia es entretenida pero, para mu, poco más, predecible.
October 9, 2018
Just the front cover of this book was enough to make me want to read it, it captures your attention straight away....but I did wonder if it would live up to the expectations of the cover....
Well.... I thought that it was an amazing book, I loved every minute I spent reading it, the characters are so well described that you can clearly imagine them as you read, feel what they are feeling, see what they are looking at. The main character of the book is Susannah , the apothecary's daughter, it is set in a time when women couldn't take over their fathers business but Susannah has that spirit in her, knowing that she could do it. You end up willing her on, wanting her to show that she has the brains and talent. However the story takes a lot of twist and turns that keeps your attention hooked.
The writing style makes the story feel fast paced, keeps it lively, not a dull moment to read. I haven't read a book by Charlotte Betts before but I will definitely be looking out for her books!
Well.... I thought that it was an amazing book, I loved every minute I spent reading it, the characters are so well described that you can clearly imagine them as you read, feel what they are feeling, see what they are looking at. The main character of the book is Susannah , the apothecary's daughter, it is set in a time when women couldn't take over their fathers business but Susannah has that spirit in her, knowing that she could do it. You end up willing her on, wanting her to show that she has the brains and talent. However the story takes a lot of twist and turns that keeps your attention hooked.
The writing style makes the story feel fast paced, keeps it lively, not a dull moment to read. I haven't read a book by Charlotte Betts before but I will definitely be looking out for her books!
June 20, 2012
Being a fan of historical fiction, the setting in London 1665 during the years of plague and the great fire provide a perfect foil to this sweet story of frustration, misunderstanding, love, family, healing of souls and creation of second chances. Lovely narrator who made the story more captivating. A book is a winner for me if it stimulates me to learn more about real events woven into the story.
October 6, 2020
Una historia muy bien narrada para disfrutar de la lectura. Las vicisitudes de una joven boticaria en el Londres del siglo XVII y con la peste en ciernes y su lucha por sobrevivir y salir adelante son los ejes de esta novela que, sin grandes sobresaltos, me ha tenido enganchada a la lectura.
April 23, 2022
Ambientada en el siglo XVII en Londres, el libro narra la historia de Susannah, la hija de un boticario de la ciudad que ha contraído nuevas nupcias y que se ve abocada a un matrimonio de conveniencia, a pesar de su ferviente deseo de seguir la estela de su padre como boticaria. Pero el hecho de ser mujer le impide dedicarse a ello. Todo ello en medio de una terrible epidemia de peste, en una época de superstición y malas prácticas higiénicas.
El libro es de fácil lectura, amena, ágil, con toque romántico pero que no resulta pasteloso, lo que esta lectora agradece.
El libro es de fácil lectura, amena, ágil, con toque romántico pero que no resulta pasteloso, lo que esta lectora agradece.
April 23, 2022
Sinceramente, novela histórica no me ha parecido, me ha parecido una telenovela. Está muy bien escrita porque la lectura es muy muy fácil.
La novela se desarrolla en el Londres del siglo XVII con la epidemia de la Peste. Susannah vive felizmente con su padre, trabajado en la Botica de su padre haciendo fórmulas y medicamentos. Una serie de acontecimientos hacen que tenga que abandonar la casa de su padre. Empieza una nueva vida. Digo que parece una telenovela, porque el pastel se descubre al final aunque ya te olías lo que pasaba.
Para pasar el rato.
La novela se desarrolla en el Londres del siglo XVII con la epidemia de la Peste. Susannah vive felizmente con su padre, trabajado en la Botica de su padre haciendo fórmulas y medicamentos. Una serie de acontecimientos hacen que tenga que abandonar la casa de su padre. Empieza una nueva vida. Digo que parece una telenovela, porque el pastel se descubre al final aunque ya te olías lo que pasaba.
Para pasar el rato.
March 6, 2012
I liked this for its historical setting being a bit different - 1665, so after the Restoration and just before the Great Fire and right in the middle of the plague. I liked the way that London life was dealt with in a realistic way, and I really enjoyed the details of the apothecary. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did though, becuase ultimately it feel a bit short of my expectations.
The main problem for me was the heroine, Susannah. Frankly, she was often a pain, she moaned a lot about her situation and she was really quite snootily superior when it came to her father's new wife, and basically most people who weren't as educated as herself. Which didn't tie in, for me, with the fact that she was incredibly naive/stupid when it came to seeing what was going on under her nose with her husband and his family. The whole conflict (which I won't go into because it will spoil the story) seemed to me the kind of thing that could have been sorted out by her just coming out and asking a couple of straigh questions. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but I could see very clearly what had really been going on right from the start, whereas it took her to about 30 pages from the end to work it all out, and that set my teeth on edge. Also, I couldn't tie her terror of childbirth with her sudden change of heart when she gets married, it seemed far too quick a turnaround for me.
Which is a shame, because I think this could have been a really good book. There was no need, IMHO, to make Susannah quite so naive/stupid. The story dealt with a lot of really great issues including a woman's place and the frustration of a clever woman denied an education as well as slavery, but for me they were sidelined by the unecessary plot devices and my dislike for the heroine grew rather than abated as the story progressed, so when she finally got her HEA I'm afraid I found it difficult to be pleased for her.
The main problem for me was the heroine, Susannah. Frankly, she was often a pain, she moaned a lot about her situation and she was really quite snootily superior when it came to her father's new wife, and basically most people who weren't as educated as herself. Which didn't tie in, for me, with the fact that she was incredibly naive/stupid when it came to seeing what was going on under her nose with her husband and his family. The whole conflict (which I won't go into because it will spoil the story) seemed to me the kind of thing that could have been sorted out by her just coming out and asking a couple of straigh questions. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but I could see very clearly what had really been going on right from the start, whereas it took her to about 30 pages from the end to work it all out, and that set my teeth on edge. Also, I couldn't tie her terror of childbirth with her sudden change of heart when she gets married, it seemed far too quick a turnaround for me.
Which is a shame, because I think this could have been a really good book. There was no need, IMHO, to make Susannah quite so naive/stupid. The story dealt with a lot of really great issues including a woman's place and the frustration of a clever woman denied an education as well as slavery, but for me they were sidelined by the unecessary plot devices and my dislike for the heroine grew rather than abated as the story progressed, so when she finally got her HEA I'm afraid I found it difficult to be pleased for her.
March 22, 2016
I really want to give this book 2 and a half stars, and although 2 seems quite mean I'm not feeling generous enough to stretch to 3.
I enjoyed the historical setting of this novel, particularly the depiction of the bubonic plague in London and the devastating effects it had on society. I wish I could say the characters and their lives were as interesting, but they really weren't. Despite ever-changing events in Susannah's life I was never surprised, and managed to see every turn about 100 pages before Susannah ever did. I find it very difficult to become invested in a book when I dislike the primary characters, and I just didn't like Susannah very much.
There was a point very early on when I considered giving up but I'm glad I didn't. As the novel progresses, the back story of the plague and the great fire of London revives the book (a little). But I doubt I'll read it again.
I enjoyed the historical setting of this novel, particularly the depiction of the bubonic plague in London and the devastating effects it had on society. I wish I could say the characters and their lives were as interesting, but they really weren't. Despite ever-changing events in Susannah's life I was never surprised, and managed to see every turn about 100 pages before Susannah ever did. I find it very difficult to become invested in a book when I dislike the primary characters, and I just didn't like Susannah very much.
There was a point very early on when I considered giving up but I'm glad I didn't. As the novel progresses, the back story of the plague and the great fire of London revives the book (a little). But I doubt I'll read it again.
August 2, 2025
Novela histórica que nos transporta a la Inglaterra del siglo XVII, una de época de efervescencia científica y profundos cambios sociales.
Susanna Horewood, es una joven brillante y curiosa que, a diferencia de otras mujeres de su tiempo, no se conforma con los roles tradicionales. Su pasión es la medicina y la herbolaria, conocimiento que comparte con su padrel boticario
La novela aborda temas como los roles de género, la lucha por la autonomía y el conflicto entre la ciencia emergente y las supersticiones ancestrales.
La hija del boticario es una historia de crecimiento personal, amor y resiliencia. Es una lectura que me gustó mucho y es ideal para quienes eligen novelas históricas con protagonistas femeninas fuertes y temas inspiradores.
Susanna Horewood, es una joven brillante y curiosa que, a diferencia de otras mujeres de su tiempo, no se conforma con los roles tradicionales. Su pasión es la medicina y la herbolaria, conocimiento que comparte con su padrel boticario
La novela aborda temas como los roles de género, la lucha por la autonomía y el conflicto entre la ciencia emergente y las supersticiones ancestrales.
La hija del boticario es una historia de crecimiento personal, amor y resiliencia. Es una lectura que me gustó mucho y es ideal para quienes eligen novelas históricas con protagonistas femeninas fuertes y temas inspiradores.
October 6, 2021
Read this in mid-2017. This complex, gloomy story
took place 1665, when people in an English village
were killed by The Plague and spotted fever. Once a
day people complied when told "bring out your dead."
Her widowed apothecary father trained Susannah to
make medications & ointments. Her father wed a
spoiled and bossy 2nd wife who made clear b/c of
the too-crowded house the h would need to arrange
lodging elsewhere. The h sought an apothecary job
& met rejection w/ the logic God didn't want women
to fill such a job. Her alternative: she married an
immature man.
The h befriended plutonic local doctor (the hero)
who ultimately became her 'ace in the hole.'
took place 1665, when people in an English village
were killed by The Plague and spotted fever. Once a
day people complied when told "bring out your dead."
Her widowed apothecary father trained Susannah to
make medications & ointments. Her father wed a
spoiled and bossy 2nd wife who made clear b/c of
the too-crowded house the h would need to arrange
lodging elsewhere. The h sought an apothecary job
& met rejection w/ the logic God didn't want women
to fill such a job. Her alternative: she married an
immature man.
The h befriended plutonic local doctor (the hero)
who ultimately became her 'ace in the hole.'
December 1, 2021
Skaičiau, nes pavadinimas savotiškai įpareigojo. Įveikiau, nes keliavau visą dieną autobusu, o alternatyvų kitai veiklai neturėjau.
Banalu, nuspėjama ir nuobodu. Namie dar neįpusėjus būčiau iškeitus ją į kitą įdomesnę knygą.
Banalu, nuspėjama ir nuobodu. Namie dar neįpusėjus būčiau iškeitus ją į kitą įdomesnę knygą.
April 7, 2013
I found the story predictable and characters 2-dimensional. Some interesting historical details, but overall I cant recommend it.
July 19, 2015
En varios momentos de este libro he tenido lágrimas en los ojos , una historia bastante real en los tiempos que trata
November 1, 2021
Libro entretenido, al estar ambientado en la época de la peste por momentos me sentí identificada por las acciones que son similares a las que vivimos en la actual pandemia.
October 30, 2022
Tinka visiems kam patinka Londonas, senieji laikai apsupti maro glėbio ir joje žydintys jausmai.
Istorija įdomi, veiksmo netrūksta ir nuotaika perteikiama tikrai puikiai. :)
Istorija įdomi, veiksmo netrūksta ir nuotaika perteikiama tikrai puikiai. :)
April 5, 2022
Very beautiful touching story .
May 31, 2017
I really liked this!
March 22, 2012
The Apothecary's Daughter delights the senses.
I love the design of this book, which makes a change from headless women or vast expanses of flowing skirt. It is nicely designed inside too, with well-chosen period typography for the title pages and a good clear readable font.
You would not think London in the time of the plague would be good material for a romantic novel, but Charlotte Betts pulls it off superbly. The book tells the tale of Susannah, who, after the re-marriage of her father to the shallow and demanding Arabella, is forced to leave her erstwhile home to find marriage herself. As in all romances, the path of true love does not run smoothly, and in Charlotte Betts's novel, there are obstacles aplenty - not least her new husband, Henry Savage, who turns out to have quite a few secrets Susannah doesn't know about. The novel does not shirk from portraying the harsher realities of everyday life in the 17th century - slavery, the non-participation of women in society, and these aspects add depth to the story.
Unlike many other sketchily researched romances, this one really deserves the title "historical romance" as both aspects are in perfect balance.Vivid and engaging, the research is thoroughly done and succeeds in giving us an insight into this neglected period of English history, with all the smells of the apothecary's trade, the sage, the turpentine, the juniper. If you are looking for a cracking good story, and to be transported to another age, you really can't beat this.
I love the design of this book, which makes a change from headless women or vast expanses of flowing skirt. It is nicely designed inside too, with well-chosen period typography for the title pages and a good clear readable font.
You would not think London in the time of the plague would be good material for a romantic novel, but Charlotte Betts pulls it off superbly. The book tells the tale of Susannah, who, after the re-marriage of her father to the shallow and demanding Arabella, is forced to leave her erstwhile home to find marriage herself. As in all romances, the path of true love does not run smoothly, and in Charlotte Betts's novel, there are obstacles aplenty - not least her new husband, Henry Savage, who turns out to have quite a few secrets Susannah doesn't know about. The novel does not shirk from portraying the harsher realities of everyday life in the 17th century - slavery, the non-participation of women in society, and these aspects add depth to the story.
Unlike many other sketchily researched romances, this one really deserves the title "historical romance" as both aspects are in perfect balance.Vivid and engaging, the research is thoroughly done and succeeds in giving us an insight into this neglected period of English history, with all the smells of the apothecary's trade, the sage, the turpentine, the juniper. If you are looking for a cracking good story, and to be transported to another age, you really can't beat this.
April 3, 2021
Nonostante le buone premesse questo libro non mi è piaciuto.
L'autrice ha scelto un'epoca molto particolare, ricca di spunti, ma non è riuscita a sfruttarli. La peste è un mero pretesto di sfondo, la religione non viene minimamente presa in considerazione, mentre viene dato largo spazio alla storia d'amore con l'aitante e bellissimo protagonista maschile. Nelle prime 100 pagine succedono un'infinità di cose, dopodiché la narrazione rallenta tanto da diventare stagnante e ripetitiva. Nessuno dei tanti personaggi è ben caratterizzato, tranne la protagonista che comunque risulta un po' fuori dal mondo: per fare un esempio a un certo punto vuole trovarsi un lavoro e sono gli uomini a doverle dire che, da donna, certe cose non le può fare, lasciandola di stucco. Perché? Una donna nel XVII secolo davvero non sapeva quale era il suo ruolo e quali cose poteva o non poteva fare? Sembrano escamotage usati solamente per dimostrare che la protagonista è combattiva e moderna, ma sono totalmente irrealistici. Come ho detto la scrittrice accenna tante tematiche ma non ne sviluppa nessuna: la schiavitù, la peste, il ruolo della donna, l'aborto. Se si fosse concentrata su meno personaggi e meno tematiche forse il libro sarebbe stato migliore.
L'autrice ha scelto un'epoca molto particolare, ricca di spunti, ma non è riuscita a sfruttarli. La peste è un mero pretesto di sfondo, la religione non viene minimamente presa in considerazione, mentre viene dato largo spazio alla storia d'amore con l'aitante e bellissimo protagonista maschile. Nelle prime 100 pagine succedono un'infinità di cose, dopodiché la narrazione rallenta tanto da diventare stagnante e ripetitiva. Nessuno dei tanti personaggi è ben caratterizzato, tranne la protagonista che comunque risulta un po' fuori dal mondo: per fare un esempio a un certo punto vuole trovarsi un lavoro e sono gli uomini a doverle dire che, da donna, certe cose non le può fare, lasciandola di stucco. Perché? Una donna nel XVII secolo davvero non sapeva quale era il suo ruolo e quali cose poteva o non poteva fare? Sembrano escamotage usati solamente per dimostrare che la protagonista è combattiva e moderna, ma sono totalmente irrealistici. Come ho detto la scrittrice accenna tante tematiche ma non ne sviluppa nessuna: la schiavitù, la peste, il ruolo della donna, l'aborto. Se si fosse concentrata su meno personaggi e meno tematiche forse il libro sarebbe stato migliore.
June 20, 2016
Novela con una ambientación historica brillante y cuya protagonista es coherente con la época y a la vez firme en sus convicciones fuera de su época.
Lo que más impacto me causó fue conocer el protocolo "médico" y social cuando alguien contraía la Peste y las consecuencias que tenía para el resto de habitantes de una casa.
Recomendable para quienes disfrutaron "La Edad de la Inocencia" (Edith Wharton)
Lo que más impacto me causó fue conocer el protocolo "médico" y social cuando alguien contraía la Peste y las consecuencias que tenía para el resto de habitantes de una casa.
Recomendable para quienes disfrutaron "La Edad de la Inocencia" (Edith Wharton)
August 30, 2016
Liūdna, kad šiais laikais tiek daug istorijų (dargi pusėtinų), turinčių knygų pavidalą, ir tiek mažai tikrų knygų.
March 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this! It was a slow start for sure and I found myself wanting more...well about halfway through more was provided!!
The story follows Susannah, who is working in her father’s apothecary until he meets a woman and falls in lover. The new woman brings her children into their home and Susannah feels like she has lost her place.
Can Susannah move on from family life? Can she find a man of her own? During the time of the plague she finds herself looking for love, work and a place to call home.
The story follows Susannah, who is working in her father’s apothecary until he meets a woman and falls in lover. The new woman brings her children into their home and Susannah feels like she has lost her place.
Can Susannah move on from family life? Can she find a man of her own? During the time of the plague she finds herself looking for love, work and a place to call home.
March 5, 2012
Oh how I loved this book!
In fact I voted it my favourite book for January. I don't read a lot of historical novels, but this one conjured up such a vision rich in detail and texture that I found I couldn't put it down. I honestly felt like I had stepped into the 1600's. To be honest, that is one era of history that has always fascinated me - the plague and the Great Fire of London. I was pleased that the author really brought it to life for me with her vivid descriptions. I was amazed to discover that Islington used to be thought of as countryside!
I knew that I would love this book when I first saw the cover for it nearly a year ago. The cover is so beautiful, it reminded me of one of those old fashioned sweets shops you used to be able to go to where you could buy a quarter of your favourite sweets.
Susannah was an amazing character. She never let the ill fate that followed her keep her down for long. She was a strong woman with great intelligence who was often degraded just for being a woman. At the beginning of the story we find her situation similar to Cinderella's. Her weak willed father has fallen in lust with a much younger woman, Arabella, whose only objective was to find a suitable new home for her children with enough income to keep her in the dresses she desires. You couldn't blame Arabella for being the way she was, as during that era a woman needed a man to survive; as the sexist nature of society wouldn't allow women to have a carreer of their own.
Susannah is s desperate to do her best for everyone. Her relationship with Henry is a difficult one and I felt sorry for the way she was treated. However Dr William Ambrose, who appears as austere and moody, is definitely a character I enjoyed!
This book definitely shows a woman's quest for independence. Susannah is desperate to stand side by side with the men in society - she has the same apothecary skills which they have gained and can see no reason for equality.
In some ways, this book reminded me of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. I think it was the warmth I felt from the book, and the love story which sits at the heart of it. Charlotte's descriptive writing also reminded me of the way Sally Gardner writes; the way she paints a picture with words.
I am extremely excited by Charlotte's writing and I long for more books very quickly.
In fact I voted it my favourite book for January. I don't read a lot of historical novels, but this one conjured up such a vision rich in detail and texture that I found I couldn't put it down. I honestly felt like I had stepped into the 1600's. To be honest, that is one era of history that has always fascinated me - the plague and the Great Fire of London. I was pleased that the author really brought it to life for me with her vivid descriptions. I was amazed to discover that Islington used to be thought of as countryside!
I knew that I would love this book when I first saw the cover for it nearly a year ago. The cover is so beautiful, it reminded me of one of those old fashioned sweets shops you used to be able to go to where you could buy a quarter of your favourite sweets.
Susannah was an amazing character. She never let the ill fate that followed her keep her down for long. She was a strong woman with great intelligence who was often degraded just for being a woman. At the beginning of the story we find her situation similar to Cinderella's. Her weak willed father has fallen in lust with a much younger woman, Arabella, whose only objective was to find a suitable new home for her children with enough income to keep her in the dresses she desires. You couldn't blame Arabella for being the way she was, as during that era a woman needed a man to survive; as the sexist nature of society wouldn't allow women to have a carreer of their own.
Susannah is s desperate to do her best for everyone. Her relationship with Henry is a difficult one and I felt sorry for the way she was treated. However Dr William Ambrose, who appears as austere and moody, is definitely a character I enjoyed!
This book definitely shows a woman's quest for independence. Susannah is desperate to stand side by side with the men in society - she has the same apothecary skills which they have gained and can see no reason for equality.
In some ways, this book reminded me of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. I think it was the warmth I felt from the book, and the love story which sits at the heart of it. Charlotte's descriptive writing also reminded me of the way Sally Gardner writes; the way she paints a picture with words.
I am extremely excited by Charlotte's writing and I long for more books very quickly.
March 6, 2013
Charlotte is so descriptive and the story is brilliant.
The horrors of the plague are brought to life through the characters we are introduced to. The characters each have their flaws and yet work so well together.
Susanna is a brazen red head with a quick temper who had been spoiled by her father unwilling to really let her go to marriage after the tragic death of his wife in the child bed. She has been taught the ins and outs of apothecary and has soaked up the information prooving herself invaluable in the field. She soon discovers that in her time she is not accepted as anything rather than a wife and mother and after her father remarries finds that life is not so easy for woman.
The descriptions of events that occur in the book pull you into the story and bring those events to life.
Though the main character is not always likable the story keeps you coming back and turning the pages in a frenzy to know who will survive.
The horrors of the plague are brought to life through the characters we are introduced to. The characters each have their flaws and yet work so well together.
Susanna is a brazen red head with a quick temper who had been spoiled by her father unwilling to really let her go to marriage after the tragic death of his wife in the child bed. She has been taught the ins and outs of apothecary and has soaked up the information prooving herself invaluable in the field. She soon discovers that in her time she is not accepted as anything rather than a wife and mother and after her father remarries finds that life is not so easy for woman.
The descriptions of events that occur in the book pull you into the story and bring those events to life.
Though the main character is not always likable the story keeps you coming back and turning the pages in a frenzy to know who will survive.
September 8, 2025
“La hija del boticario”.
Es la primera vez que leo a esta escritora.
El marco de la novela es la Londres de 1665, una ciudad que pasó por 18 meses de una epidemia mortal para la población. Susannah es la hija del boticario, quien enviudó hace años y ahora decide casarse con Arabella (una mujer viuda, con tres hijos pequeños). La convivencia entre madrastra e hijastra se vuelve insostenible; la protagonista accede a casarse con un caballero que poco a poco demostrará su verdadera cara.
En la novela, vemos que la joven lucha por sus ideales en una sociedad desigual y también que las circunstancias ayudan. Aparte, el libro tiene como marco histórico una Londres devastada, y una trama visual que hace que sintamos y vivimos los hechos.
Me gustó la novela y la recomiendo; por supuesto, seguiré leyendo a Charlotte Betts.
Es la primera vez que leo a esta escritora.
El marco de la novela es la Londres de 1665, una ciudad que pasó por 18 meses de una epidemia mortal para la población. Susannah es la hija del boticario, quien enviudó hace años y ahora decide casarse con Arabella (una mujer viuda, con tres hijos pequeños). La convivencia entre madrastra e hijastra se vuelve insostenible; la protagonista accede a casarse con un caballero que poco a poco demostrará su verdadera cara.
En la novela, vemos que la joven lucha por sus ideales en una sociedad desigual y también que las circunstancias ayudan. Aparte, el libro tiene como marco histórico una Londres devastada, y una trama visual que hace que sintamos y vivimos los hechos.
Me gustó la novela y la recomiendo; por supuesto, seguiré leyendo a Charlotte Betts.
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