Imperfect Alchemist

by Naomi Miller

A remarkable life lost to history is brought into sharp focus England, 1575. Young Mary Sidney is bearing a devastating loss while her father plans her alliance to Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. But Mary is determined to make her mark on the world as a writer and scientist. As Mary Sidney Herbert steps into her new life with the earl at his home, Wilton House, an unusual friendship is forged between her and servant Rose Commin, a country girl with a surprising artistic gift, that will change their lives for ever. Defying the conventions of their time, mistress and maid will face the triumphs, revelations and dangers that lie ahead together. 'An artful tale of spirit and courage ... Rich and engaging' Ruth Ozeki, author of A Tale of the Time Being 'A tribute to the strong women of the times ... I wholeheartedly recommend it' Margaret George, author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Naomi Miller mixes up a batch of intrigue, sprinkled with Amish, Mennonite, & English characters, adding a pinch of mystery and a dash of romance!

Naomi’s day is spent focusing on her writing, editing, and blogging about her experiences with writing.

When she's not working diligently to finish the next book in her Sweet Shop Mystery series, Naomi enjoys meeting readers at workshops and author events.

Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) organization.

Naomi also enjoys traveling with her family, singing inspirational/gospel music, taking a daily walk, and witnessing to others of the amazing grace of Jesus Christ.

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imperfect Alchemist is award-winning author Naomi Miller’s historical fiction debut and the first book in a projected biofiction series about Renaissance women authors entitled Shakespeare's Sisters, celebrating them not simply for their relation to men (like the wives of Henry VIII) but for their own voices. A marriage of dynasty: that is what is expected of Mary Sidney. A marriage to Sir Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, to be precise. But Mary’s sharp mind longs to work on her writing and translation projects, ideally alongside her brilliant brother Philip, and perhaps learn more of the alchemical arts at the elbow of the dazzling Walter Raleigh. Spanning generations and social classes, it paints a multi-hued portrait of Renaissance England seen through the eyes of indomitable Mary who broke the conventions of the time.

One of the earliest women authors in Renaissance England to publish under her own name, Mary Sidney Herbert successfully forged a place for herself in a man’s world. Imperfect Alchemist imagines a collaboration with Shakespeare, a spurious charge of witchcraft, and a plucky maidservant, Rose – a country girl with a surprising talent. The two women’s stories unfold in alternating chapters as their very different worlds connect and collide. Both Mary and Rose challenge the rules of their time, shattering stereotypes and defying patriarchal codes. The narrative sweep takes readers to castles and cottages, from the teeming streets of London and Paris to the ageless sentinels of Stonehenge.

This novel is an imaginative reinvention of the extraordinary life of Mary Sidney Herbert, Renaissance pioneer – friend of Queen Elizabeth, visionary scientist, advocate for women writers, and scandalous lover of a much younger man. In a potent blend, fact and fiction amalgamate as the likes of Walter Raleigh, John Donne, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare rub shoulders with courtiers and commoners, servants and savants, including a young woman artist who sees beyond the real. This is a beautifully written, compelling and spellbinding story based on a remarkable Tudor life. It's richly-imagined and 1600s Britain is portrayed realistically and authenticity with intricate detail and informed by extensive research. Highly recommended.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Naomi Miller is a *brilliant* scholar especially for her work on the Sidney family so it's with a heavy heart that I have to admit that I didn't really enjoy this. It falls into many of the tropes of 'popular' fiction set in this period: the narrative is split between Mary Sidney Herbert and a working-class girl; there's alchemy and witchcraft as stand-ins for 'female' knowledge and power; the writing drips with unnecessary similes so that even one person kissing another is like a bird dropping from the nest; and every famous person makes an appearance from Walter Raleigh to Montaigne (I know the Sidneys really were well-connected, of course, but it always feels rather forced).

Having 13-year old Mary offering Philip the best lines in his Astrophil and Stella is both fun and irritating! Yes, she probably collaborated extensively on his Arcadias, but Astrophil? I was really looking forward to this but it's closer to Philippa Gregory and that mode of historical fiction than I'd like - sorry, just not for me.

[Manuela Rotasperti · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝕷'𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖟𝖟𝖆 𝖕𝖚ò 𝖓𝖆𝖘𝖈𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖉𝖆 𝖋𝖗𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎 𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖎 𝖓𝖊𝖑 𝖒𝖔𝖉𝖔 𝖌𝖎𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔."

Rose Commin, figlia di un mercante di stoffe e di una donna appassionata di erbe e rimedi curativi tacciata di stregoneria, si trasferisce come domestica al castello di Wilton, presso i conti di Pembroke. Qui si lega in un profondo rapporto di fiducia ed amicizia, nonché di collaborazione, con la contessa Catherine prima e con lady Mary Sidney Herbert poi. Ciò che le accomuna è lo stesso interesse per l"alchimia ed il desiderio di curare gli altri, senza rinunciare alle rispettive passioni: la pittura e la scrittura.

Un romanzo biografico che ripercorre la vita della contessa Mary Sidney Herbert, nobildonna amica della regina e mentore del giovane poeta William Shakespeare , grande appassionata di letteratura e scienza. Ai fatti realmente accaduti ed ai personaggi realmente esistiti, Naomi Miller aggiunge un tocco personale opera della sua fantasia, ben contestualizzando la storia e rimarcando l'intraprendenza ed il coraggio della contessa, in un periodo in cui qualsiasi ardire del genere femminile rischiava di incombere nella temuta caccia alle streghe. Interessanti sono gli accenni all'alchimia ed ai suoi processi, atti a trasmutare i metalli in preziosi o a distillare un liquido per raffinarlo. Il lettore si ritrova così accompagnato ad esplorare un mondo di intrugli e pozioni tra aludel, storte, vasi, bottigliette, fiale, tinture, spezie esotiche, minerali colorati ed erbe aromatiche. L'autrice ben descrive gli ambienti, anche se mi sarei aspettata un maggiore approfondimento della pratica alchemica. Il libro fa procedere in parallelo due storie: quella della domestica Rose e quella della sua padrona. Anche quando le due protagoniste si incontrano le due storie permangono, offrendo al lettore due punti di vista diversi degli stessi fatti, ma lasciando solo a Rose la possibilità di esprimersi in prima persona e di esternare sentimenti ed emozioni. L'autrice sembra voler sottolineare anche in questo modo la dote di Rose nel disegno: la sua capacità di rilevare ciò che ad altri può sfuggire e di fissare ciò che decide di rendere visibile. Ma la figura di Rose, per quanto importante, non oscura la grandezza, l'iniziativa, la resilienza di Mary, una donna che ha dovuto affrontare numerosi lutti e sofferenze, ma che non ha mai rinunciato a promuovere la figura femminile e ad affermare la parità e l'uguaglianza dei sessi, in virtù dell'ideale umano dell'ermafrodita in cui credeva: l'unione tra gli opposti. Ampio spazio viene dedicato all'arte, incarnata nelle passioni delle due donne: la pittura legata alla magia astrale e la scrittura, con numerosi riferimenti alla tragedia di Antonio e Cleopatra, rivisitata dalla contessa. L'arte assume per entrambe una funzione terapeutica, in grado di alleviare e superare crisi e dolori. Numerose sono poi le analogie rimarcate tra alchimia e scrittura: 𝖑𝖆 𝖒𝖎𝖌𝖑𝖎𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖆, 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖑'𝖆𝖑𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖒𝖎𝖆 𝖇𝖊𝖓 𝖗𝖎𝖚𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖙𝖆, è 𝖚𝖓𝖆 𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖉𝖎 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖟𝖟𝖆. 𝕺𝖌𝖓𝖎 𝖋𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖘é 𝖙𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖎 𝖌𝖑𝖎 𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎 𝖉𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖘𝖎 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖊𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎, 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖘𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖙𝖎. La scrittura del racconto risulta scorrevole, anche se si riscontra una certa lentezza nella prima parte della storia. Gli eventi non sono molti, l'attenzione viene riportata sempre sulle inclinazioni artistiche. Anche l'amore assume un ruolo marginale, per dare più ampio respiro all'amore per i propri sogni. Una lettura piacevole, che rende sicuramente giustizia ad una figura storica che merita di essere ricordata insieme al suo operato.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled ‘A Novel of Mary Sidney Herbert, Renaissance Pioneer’, in Imperfect Alchemist the author creates a potpourri from elements that will be familiar to readers of historical fiction set in the Tudor period. There’s the risk of accusations of witchcraft against women with midwifery skills or knowledge of herbal remedies, the intrigue and power struggles of the Elizabethan Court, and the social constraints that present women with little option other than marriage, motherhood or a life in service. Throw in the study of alchemy, a little romance as well as famous historical figures such as Walter Raleigh and John Dee, and you have all the ingredients for an engrossing story. Although the book’s structure is clearly designed to replicate the stages of the alchemical process, allusions to alchemy can be found throughout the book.

Mary Sidney emerges as a vibrant character but one, despite her status in life, not immune from an arranged marriage, the tragedy of bereavement and the risks associated with childbirth. What seem like opportunities are often followed by setbacks or unintended consequences.  The equal of her brother Phillip when it comes to literary creativity, I particularly liked Mary’s passion for words. “Honing a phrase to embody a thought was her pleasure. Metaphors were her passion, her liberation from the literal constraints that framed her existence.”   

Mary’s determination to give female characters a more prominent role in works of literature sees her influencing the poetry of her brother, Philip (“her dearest soul and partner of the mind”) and even, the author contends, the work of arguably the most notable playwright of the period.  The Circle, the literary salon Mary establishes, attended by the likes of Edmund Spenser and Ben Jonson, she compares to an alchemical experiment in which materials are “blended and distilled until the union of like and unlike might yield perfect knowledge“.

The inclusion of a first person narrator, Rose Commin, gives the reader another perspective on Mary and provides the opportunity for secondary storylines as well as a touching if unconventional friendship between women from vastly different backgrounds.  Mary’s encouragement of Rose’s artistic talent also allows the author to explore another kind of transformational process.  As Rose observes, “The more I worked with colour the more readily I could understand the layering and mixing of shades in terms of my lady’s alchemy, where painstaking combinations of dissimilar ingredients could produce a harmonious end result”.

In Imperfect Alchemist, Naomi Miller transforms historical fact into the engrossing story of a remarkable woman who was clearly ahead of her time. Like her leading character, the author has “steeped existing material in the tincture of her own imagination” to create a story rich in historical detail. 

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Tudor England, two women dare to be different. Two women - one bond that will unite them across the years and social divides.

England 1575: Mary Sidney, who will g9mon tomclaim a spot at the heart of Elizabethan Court life and culture. Is a fourteen year old navigating grief and her first awareness of love and desire.

Rose Commin, a young country girl with a surprising talent or drawing, is desperate to shrug off the slurs of witchcraft which have tarnished home life. The opportunity to work at the Earl of Penbrooke's Wiltshire resistance is her ideal,opportunity.

The era has been well researched in this descriptivly written novel. But it's a slow burner. The two main characters are strong willed and likeable. This is an enjoyable read set in the Tudor era.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AlisonAndBusby and the author #NaomiMiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Sidney may not be as well known as her brother Sir Philip Sidney, the Elizabethan poet who wrote Astrophel and Stella, but she was a successful and accomplished author in her own right – and one of the first Englishwomen to publish under her own name. In Imperfect Alchemist, Naomi Miller brings Mary’s story to life in fictional form, beginning in 1575 when Mary is summoned to court to attend the Queen. Marriage follows a few years later to Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and although it is an arranged marriage rather than one based on love, Henry at least seems to accept his new wife’s intelligence and learning and allows her the freedom to pursue her literary interests, leading to her eventually establishing a literary circle at their home, Wilton House.

Mary’s story, which is written in the third person, alternates with a first person narrative from the perspective of another young woman, Rose Commin. Rose, a fictional character, comes from a very different background, having grown up in the countryside, the daughter of a cloth merchant and a herbalist. After her mother is put on trial for witchcraft, Rose is sent away to the safety of Wilton House, where she becomes maid to Lady Catherine Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, who encourages her to develop her talent for drawing, as well as teaching her to read and write. Sadly, Lady Catherine dies shortly after Rose’s arrival, but when Henry Herbert marries again and brings his young wife, Mary Sidney, to Wilton House, a friendship begins to form between Rose and her new mistress.

Before reading Imperfect Alchemist, I knew almost nothing about Mary Sidney. Her brother Philip has appeared in one or two books I’ve read (such as Towers in the Mist by Elizabeth Goudge and Watch the Lady by Elizabeth Fremantle) but I can’t remember ever reading anything about Mary. As well as shedding some light on her personal life, the novel explores her involvement with alchemy and medicine, her relationships with other historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Ben Jonson and Aemilia Lanyer, and her major literary achievements. Not only does Mary prepare and publish an edition of her brother’s The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia, she produces new translations of the Psalms and her version of the Antony and Cleopatra story is thought to inspire Shakespeare’s famous play.

Although Mary is, on the surface, the more interesting character, I think I preferred Rose’s sections of the book – possibly because Rose narrates her chapters herself, making her easier to identify with and to warm to. However, I’ve read a few other historical novels recently that have alternated a real woman’s story with an invented one (usually a lady’s maid), and along with the ‘healer being accused of witchcraft’ theme, which also seems to be an increasingly common trend in historical fiction, I didn’t feel that this book had anything very new or different to offer. As an introduction to the life and work of Mary Sidney Herbert, though, it’s excellent and I was certainly able to learn a lot from it. This is Naomi Miller’s first novel and apparently the first in a projected series of novels about early women authors, so I’ll be interested to see who she writes about next.

[Hollie Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage of dynasty: that is what is expected of Mary Sidney. A marriage to Sir Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, to be precise. But Mary’s sharp mind longs to work on her writing and translation projects, ideally alongside her brilliant brother Philip, and perhaps learn more of the alchemical arts at the elbow of the dazzling Walter Raleigh.
Rose Commin, a young country girl with a surprising talent for drawing, is desperate to shrug off the slurs of witchcraft which have tarnished life at home. The opportunity to work at Wilton House, the Herberts’ Wiltshire home, is her chance. Defying the conventions of their time, these two women, mistress and maid, will find themselves facing the triumphs, revelations and struggles that lie ahead by leaning on each other.

Following a mix of real life and fictional characters, Imperfect Alchemist is an intense combination of all things Tudor and mystical. Sometimes the alchemy and natural sciences became confusing and difficult to keep track of alongside the story itself but there is so much richness to the plot and the setting that Miller creates that, as a reader, you want to absorb it all and (if you're anything like me) put on the most dramatic dress ever and walk through castles and make potions!
I found it difficult to push through to begin with but as the chapters went on I became more invested and the story picked up as the focal women got older and widened their own horizons. If you're interested in historical fiction and women within these times then this is just the book to pop into your collection and take a crack at!

[Ruth Chatlien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too often, stories of women in the past who chafe against their constrained lives read as though a 21st century American was transported via time machine to the past. Not Naomi Miller’s IMPERFECT ALCHEMIST. The two protagonists of this novel are very much women of their time, but even so, they long to employ their gifts to the fullest—as I am sure countless women did, if only in silence. One thread of the story shows how male jealousy and the fear of witchcraft were all too common dangers for women who dared to be other than the mute cogs who make society turn.

As someone who majored in literature and actually visited Penshurst Place during a long-ago study program in England, I was stunned to learn that the famous Philip Sidney (whom we studied at my college) had an equally literary sister, Mary Sidney Herbert (who was not part of our curriculum). She is one of the two main characters of the novel; the other is her servant Rose Commin, a young woman who was taught herbalism by her mother and developed an interest in art on her own. With both characters, Miller does an excellent job portraying what the creative process feels like.

Because of Mary Sidney’s connections to court, she knew the leading literary figures of the day—Edmund Spenser, John Donne, Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare—and actually sponsored a discussion group of the type later known as the salon. Seeing the giants of British literature wander through the novel was another delight. The exploration of alchemy was also interesting.

I recommend this very much.

[Sue Purbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is based on the remarkable story of Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, who lived from 1561 to 1621. She was the first woman to publish a play in English, convener of an influential literary circle and had her own alchemy laboratory.
The book is also the story of Rose, who comes to work for Mary as a maid, gradually becoming her confidante. Rose is a talented artist and has inherited a love and understanding for plants from her mother, who was once charged as a witch.
I loved the descriptions of the time, and especially of the court and courtiers. I found the information around alchemy fascinating and enjoyed the appearances of Walter Raleigh and William (Will) Shakespeare, as well as the notion that Mary and Will collaborated on a play.
In a time when women were regarded as second class citizens, Mary and Rose shine in their own ways and I loved their courage.
This book cuts a great swathe through the late 1500s and early 1600s, encompassing everything from alchemy and plant-based cures to Stonehenge and the royal court. I think it will appeal most to those who love poetry and literature, especially of that time. There were parts that I thought went on a bit long, but overall I enjoyed this story about a fascinating woman living in – and defying – a time that wasn’t particularly kind to women.

[Il confine dei libri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voto libro: 4.5
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...

[Lucinda Kidder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi vividly recreates what we can know about the lives of women in Tudor England. Her meticulous research is woven into each detail, including activities rarely seen in fiction about the period such as the work in a still-room. She successfully punctures the myth that such scientific undertakings were strictly the realm of men and reveals yet another layer of 'her-story'. Congratulations on this solid and very readable story!

[Jodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I thought it started well and Mary Sidney is an interesting character - great to have a story about the achievements of women at that time of history. I just felt it lost its way and dragged at times.

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imperfect Alchemist is the story of two different women, one a Countess, one a maid who grow a close bond that crosses their social standing. Mary Sidney is only fourteen when she goes to court to serve Elizabeth I, and only fifteen when she is married to the Earl of Pembroke. Rose is sent to work for the first Countess of Pembroke, Lady Catherine, after her mother is accused of witchcraft. At Wilton House, Rose’s talent for drawing is nurtured by Lady Catherine, and she is taught to read and write. After Lady Catherine’s death Mary and Rose, mistress and maid, are brought together in a friendship that lasts through love, loss, and the highs and lows over their years together. Told in three parts that follow Mary and Rose through their lives, this is a fascinating read.

I love reading books set in one of my favourite periods of history as it is like meeting old friends again. Mary Sidney is someone I have come across several times as she was a formidable woman, and one of the first to have a play published. Naomi Miller really brings this fascinating young woman to life, her intelligence, the love for her siblings, her love of literature and her fascination with science, in particular alchemy. Her childhood was permeated with the loss of siblings, especially her sister Ambrosia after which she was sent to court and married to the older Earl of Pembroke, who liked her for her intelligence. It is the grief of loss that ultimately brings Mary and Rose close; Rose is mourning the loss of Lady Catherine, Mary’s predecessor, and Rose is the same age as Mary’s sister Ambrosia. Both also share a love of herbs for healing and ultimately the science of alchemy. They may come from different backgrounds, and have different levels of education, but like and alchemy experiment the two disparate parts come together to make a partnership based on respect and devotion. I loved reading about Mary’s collaboration with her brother, diplomat and poet Philip Sidney, how their close bond made for a perfect working relationship. She went on to create a Writer’s Circle at Wilton House which included writers like John Donne, Edmund Spenser, Ben Johnson and Amlia Lanyer, the first of it’s kind. The other relationship that stood out for me was between Rose and fell maid Cecily. Rose would go to any lengths to protect Cecily and her children, they were like family to her.

Whilst this book is mainly set during the reign of of Elizabeth I, the sixteenth century was still a patriarchal society, and there is no doubt that Mary Sudney would not have achieved so much without the support of her husband who was drawn to her by her education and intelligence. Naomi Miller highlights the many problems that women faced at the time. Rose’s mother, like many women who helped heal with herbs, was accused of witchcraft but found innocent, but the taint never left her. Also highlighted is the perils of childbirth, and the susceptibility of young children to childhood illnesses. Naomi Miller has obviously done a lot of research and it shines through in the historical detail she has put into this book. It is important to remember that this is a work of fiction, it may have historical figures in like Raleigh and Shakespeare, but there is artistic licence at play and some situations are imagined.

Imperfect Alchemist is an erudite, and seductive read that draws you back to the sixteenth century and into the lives of these two strong and intelligent women. Naomi Milller’s knowledge of the period shines through in her plot, setting and characters adds an authenticity to the book. I’m really excited to read her next book in her series celebrating Renaissance women, all contemporaries of Shakespeare. I loved reading this book, the perfect blend of fact and fiction with a strong female lead, a fabulous start to a new series.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit to knowing very little about Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, although I have come across her in other novels where her interest in the study of alchemy has been explored in just a little detail. It's been really interesting, therefore, to have an entire novel which combines Mary's fascinating life based on factual evidence running alongside that of a totally fictional character, namely that of her maidservant, Rose Commin. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the life of these two very different women, one born to privilege and a life of ease whilst the other was born into poverty and hardship and yet both rose beyond the patriarchal society which stifled their natural talents.

Imperfect Alchemist explores in detail the tangled world of Elizabethan England, from the capriciousness of a powerful female ruler, to the often malign influence and interference of male alchemists who searched for answers to the difficult conundrums of the day. However, intelligent female alchemists were rare indeed, and Mary Sidney Herbert is not only credited for her work in this field but she was also a notable author, excelling at both prose and poetry.

The author brings this rather formidable female to life in an intelligent and thought-provoking way. I enjoyed the alternate chapters which detail what was happening with both Mary, and then Rose, and I watched, with interest, as their relationship gradually built to one of trust and mutual respect. Not only does the story flesh out these characters in some detail but it also gives a commentary about life in Tudor England and the restrictions that women faced not just from male prejudice but also from the perils of daily life when grief and loss often walked hand in hand.

Beautifully written and extensively researched, Imperfect Alchemist is a commendable debut novel, which brings the life of Mary Sidney Herbert into sharp focus giving her, at last, a voice to be hear

[Melissa Muldoon]

In Naomi Miller’s saga set in the Elizabethan era, I enjoyed learning about Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, her life, times, and accomplishments. It was enlightening to discover Mary was a gifted writer, perhaps even an inspiration to a young William Shakespeare. I especially enjoyed the chapters in which the author imagines their meeting and collaboration. The story takes the reader from Mary’s girlhood to advanced maturity, capturing all the many details and nuances of Mary’s family life and her aspirations for alchemy and playwriting. Interwoven in Mary’s saga is also that of Rose, Mary’s maid. The story repeatedly shifts from one woman’s perspective to the other’s, and although the novel is historical fiction—Rose is a fictional character—it reads like a lengthy biography. At times, I felt the story and drama ran a bit too slowly. Still, it is a lovely tribute to Mary and a perfect read for those who would like to immerse in Elizabethan England—its culture, social norms, and all the colorful and noteworthy characters of the time. It was lovely to discover, despite Elizabethan society’s rigidness, there were a few women, like Mary, who were able to shine, develop their talents, and find love, despite the limitations placed upon them.

[Alice Hawthorne (whatalicereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Even if I can find no greater purpose in these losses, I can yet create.”

♥️ ‘Imperfect Alchemist’ was a richly detailed, complex historical fiction about women, creativity & ambition. It follows two narratives of Mary, the Countess of Pembroke, who is a talented writer and aspiring alchemist, and her maid, Rose, a poor girl with an amazing artistic talent. Together, the two women navigate the courts and life of 16th century England, amidst love, loss, familial quarrels and finding your place in a man’s world.

♥️ This novel was clearly well-researched - I felt completely immersed in the setting of the Tudor period, as the author spans a timeline lasting from the late 1500s-1600s with ease.

♥️ The writing was absolutely gorgeous and with excellent characterisation, this was a really good read.

♥️ I did feel like it was 100 pages too long and by the end I was longing to read something else. The story just seemed to progress as their life progressed, with very little excitement to keep me gripped. However, sometimes I was gasping with shock!

♥️ Overall, it was an ambitious tale of courage & art, and I think the author captured the essence of womanhood in Elizabethan England wonderfully!

[Akemichan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho molto apprezzato l'idea di tratteggiare questa figura storica magari meno conosciuta, associandola alla parte dell'alchimia e mostrando vari tipi di amicizia femminile e anche modi interessanti di vivere la femminilità.

Tuttavia, non ho apprezzato il libro. Capisco che si tratti di uno storico che racconta un periodo di anni molto lungo ma per gran parte del tempo mi è parso un racconto molto sterile di avvenimenti senza soluzione di continuità. Soprattutto ho odiato come l'autrice sottolineasse che per Rose l'amicizia con Cecily era fondamentale ma poi non la si sia mai effettivamente vista salvo per qualche scena spot on che di certo non basta a farmi bere che sia davvero così.
In generale lo stile mi è parso bruttino, la ripetizione di scene tra entrambi i POV con poi passaggi bruschi, anticipazione di vicende per poi tornare indietro a descrivere avvenimenti già accaduti... non so, una gran impressione di confusione.
Purtroppoo vengo dalla lettura de La Sarta di Corte e la differenza si sente.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Sidney is your typical Elizabethan noblewoman; what is expected of her is to make a good marriage that benefits her family. She is, also, however, ones of the greatest literary minds of her generation and a keen alchemist. Rose is a young girl whose mother was dunked for witchcraft - Rose learnt the art of healing with herbs at her mother’s knee - who also has an incredible talent as an artist, not something to be nurtured in a girl of her station. However, when she is sent into service at Wilton House she finds herself with a mistress willing to nurture her talents.

This is a very beautiful book. It’s not one I’d recommend if biographical historical fiction from a female perspective is not already your thing, but if it is for you like it is mine you’ll really enjoy this. If you create, as in if you write, paint, draw, if you create art this book will also speak to that part of you in a way that surprisingly few books do. It manages to be so much more than a record of the life of two extrodanary women, one real, one fictional, it’s a book about writing, about art, and about creation. It’s about carving a path for yourself while still confirming to the role life has felt you, and it is about carrying on in the face of sometimes terrible loss. And, even if, like me already you know something of the life of Mary Sidney, it will still surprise you.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant novel!
The time period that this novel is set in isn't my usual cup of tea but WOW am I converted! The vivid descriptions of clothing, scenery and the interiors of the setting were fantastic and the characters were just so likeable that I wished the book wasn't going to end.
I have seen other reviewers suggest that the pacing was too slow, however, I loved this. I felt like I really had time to get to know both the characters and the situations they found themselves in without feeling like I was being rushed.
A total joy to read about these strong, intelligent and brave women!
Thank you to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my impartial review.

[Andrea Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Naomi Miller, Allison and Busby and Netgalley for the ARC of IMPERFECT ALCHEMIST. I can't get enough of historical fiction, and the discovery of books such as Imperfect Alchemist is one of the reasons why. I found the descriptions of the various potions and tinctures incredibly interesting, but most of all I love the characterization of Lady Mary and the wonderful Rose, both of whom I championed, Their entwining stories set the pace.. All through the book I wanted so much for them both to find their happiness in a time where death seemed to sweep away loved ones so cruelly, and women who had an interest in finding cures for the ailments they suffered were regarded with suspicion instead of being encouraged. I truly believe that including points of historical reference such as famous names and familiar places can bring colour and reality to what is a fiction, yet one so beautifully created. And to discover the mention of Houghton House which I can see from a window in my house was the icing on the cake. Wonderful!.

[Vale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una parola per descriverlo: Confusionario
Avrei preferito mille volte che l'autrice si concentrasse o su Rose o su Mary così da dare la possibilità di conoscere al meglio un personaggio.
I due POV e i salti temporali continui spezzano la narrazione, creando solo confusione nel lettore e rendendo il romanzo superficiale.
Salverei solo le ultime pagine perché lì la trama è effettivamente avvincente.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of strong intelligent women who bravely stood up for what they believed in, in a society dominated by men. Mary Sidney Herbert, the Renaissance pioneer in women's writing was a great character and I loved her relationship with Rose, her handmaiden.
Rose, however, was definitely the more interesting character, with her links to witchcraft, healing and astrology making her most fascinating. The way she was able to build relationships across her life was wonderful and warm, from her friendship with Cicely to the support she provided both her mistresses. She seemed a rare specimen in a world where it was expected to just become a mother and a wife.

[Mel Pretorius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow loved this book! To be honest, I was probably missing some of the deeper meanings of the alchemy but that didn't matter. A wonderful book with two really strong lead characters, alternate chapters from their perspective. You follow Mary and Rose's lives from when they are young and into middle age. What was even a nicer touch is that many of the characters were based on real people.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was completely different to what I expected but I really liked it. The author borrows real people to utilise in this story. It is set during the reign of Queen Mary and showcases strong females who are often either underestimated or patronised in their work - it shows how they rise above despite the threat that women working in the sciences were more likely to be accused of witchcraft.


Absolutely great historical fiction. I thought the pace of the last quarter of the book was a little slow and could have perhaps been cut down.

[HalKid2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a book that seems to be NOT widely known (I couldn't find a copy in any of the three public libraries I use) but a true treat to read. Awarded four stars on Goodreads. Maybe even 4.5!

IMPERFECT ALCHEMIST is Naomi Miller's debut novel -- well-researched bio-fiction focused on a fascinating woman I knew little about -- Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke. Mary was an intellectual, prominent Tudor era writer, and founder of the Countess's Circle -- a literary salon that attracted some of the greatest minds of the day (Edmund Spenser, John Donne, Ben Jonson, and others). Miller also incorporates actor and playwright William Shakespeare in the novel, in a particularly delightful way.

To balance Mary, Miller has created the character of Rose Commin, a servant and gifted artist. Their differing perspectives, presented in alternating chapters, complement each other nicely.

Mary lives in the world of words, Rose in the world of images. Mary's life, not surprisingly, showcases the privilege of British aristocrats, Rose's the world of the working class. Together they work to become practicing alchemists, herbalists, and healers. So that, despite their class difference, theirs becomes a true partnership.

The book incorporates a variety of interesting themes from this period: court life under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England, limitations imposed on women, arranged marriages, abusive relationships, and the thin line between innocent dabbling in herbs and alchemy and dangerous and superstitious accusations of witchcraft.

It's a well-written novel with a distinctive voice which, I believe, would appeal even more to those with an interest in herbal cures, primitive healing, astrology, and alchemy. I am NOT one of those people and so, for me, the detailed descriptions related to these areas became a bit tedious. I was much more interested in the story of Mary Sidney's life.

According to the Author's Note, Miller, a Professor of English and Women and Gender Studies at Smith College, is planning to write a series of historical novels called "Shakespeare's Sisters" about other prominent women at this time. I'll be eager to read them all.

[Mariagrazia Moccia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Enjoyable interwoven narrative, Rose more than Mary (though I am thinking I might need to create a shelf for period books that would have benefitted from just a touch more queerness). The level of research and the inclusion of several other prominent historical figures as characters has definitely encouraged me to look up the real countess of Pembroke given my interest in the Tudor period.

[Susy Tomasiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.com/...

[Hannah Merrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start! Good characters but lost its way towards the end.

[Lovereading_more · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo romanzo è stato un tuffo nel passato, un viaggio alla corte della regina Elisabetta I. Per quanto l'ambientazione non sia mai del tutto approfondita, la ricostruzione dell'epoca è affidata ai personaggi e in particolare alle protagoniste Rose e Mary. Sono due donne agli antipodi, una è figlia di un mercante e della guaritrice del villaggio, l'altra è di famiglia aristocratica e destinata a sposare un conte. Ciò che le accomuna è la sete di conoscenza e di riscatto, in un mondo governato dagli uomini e dai pregiudizi dovranno lottare per affermarsi e piano piano questo sentimento sfocerà nel rispetto reciproco e nell'amicizia.
Ammetto che non conoscevo Mary Sidney, donna esistita veramente, eclettica e intelligente. Fu una poetessa, un'alchimista, scienziata, chimica e teologa, conoscitrice di rimedi medici e poliglotta. Era una donna fortemente istruita che, fra le altre cose, si dedicò alla traduzione del Libro dei Salmi poiché la traduzione vigente era errata, creò un laboratorio di chimica/alchimia in casa sua che divenne anche un circolo letterario, un punto di ritrovo per molti membri di spicco dell'epoca. Insomma, una donna straordinaria che si dedicò alla conoscenza ma anche alla famiglia nonostante fin da giovane la sua vita familiare vide numerosi lutti. Oltre a Mary conosciamo anche Rose, la sua domestica, una bambina e poi una ragazza che cerca il suo posto nel mondo e che cerca di sopravvivere come tutte le donne dell'epoca. La sua storia e il suo punto di vista vanno di pari passo a quella di Mary, anche dopo che le due donne si sono incontrate permangono i due pov, credo che questo serva a completare la storia di Lady Mary perché Rose, appassionata di disegno, ci offre un'osservazione oggettiva di questa donna e delle vicende che la vedono protagonista, proprio come se Rose ci offrisse un dipinto della sua signora.
Gli eventi tutto considerato non sono molti ma l'attenzione dell'autrice si concentra sulla lotta di queste due donne per affermare i propri diritti e il proprio ruolo in un mondo governato da uomini e si parla soprattutto di arte e di modi per canalizzare le proprie passioni, ma anche per cercare di lenire lutti e sofferenze. Entrambe non ebbero una vita facile, segnata da lutti e da eventi drammatici, ma seppero trovare il modo di andare avanti creando qualcosa di buono. Nonostante l'alchimia sia al centro del romanzo, avrei voluto più spiegazioni dei processi e degli esperimenti, ma la Miller è stata molto brava nel ricreare l'atmosfera del laboratorio mescolando in giuste parti scienza e "magia".
Questo libro mi ha permesso di conoscere una figura di cui non sapevo niente e lo ha fatto in un modo lineare e semplice. Lo stile dell'autrice è pulito e scorrevole, le pagine volano via una dietro l'altra e la parte romanzata si intreccia molto bene con i fatti storici, un libro che consiglio a tutt³ l³ amanti del genere perché saprà far conoscere una figura femminile molto importante nello scenario storico. Spesso la storia non dà il giusto spazio a donne della portata di Mary che promossero tanto le arti quanto le scienze, troppe figure femminili restano più nell'ombra, per questo sono davvero felice di aver intrapreso questa lettura che mi ha permesso di conoscere una grande donna.