The Apothecary's Daughter
by Julie Klassen
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Book Summary Information
Author: Julie KlassenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2009-01-01
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Book Reviews of The Apothecary's Daughter
Book Review: She is a Jane Austen in training...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first of Julie Klassen's books that I have read. I originally planned to read them in the order that they were published, but unfortunately the first book was not available at the library at the say time I borrowed the other two. The reason I wanted to read them in that order is due to when I heard how Klassen seems to improve in her writing through each next novel. I am not sure I agree.
First, I recommend that when reading Klassen's books to always read the prologue. I doubt that anything would be missed in the story if the prologue was skipped, only the little hints and parts of the story in the prologue do add in an extra "piece of the puzzle" to the storyline that can make the story more enjoyable.
Second, I am very fond of how Julie Klassen writes, she is brilliant. Klassen writes in a style that is similar to Jane Austen only with more clarity and easier-to-read-form for today's readers.
Third, Julie Klassen weaves a wonderful tale. She obviously did a lot of research when writing the book, and placed before me a very believable story. (She definitely did her homework!!) I continually wondered how Klassen managed to keep writing, but not in a bored sort of way, I just could not imagine what else there could be to add to the story. Klassen knew what she was doing though and provided an excellent read.
!!!SPOILERS!!!:
(This may contain some spoilers so be careful, I tried not to give any of the story away...)
Last, I have two more things to say. The only "problem" (though really not a problem) with Julie Klassen's novel "The Apothecary's Daughter" is that there are several main male characters that could be "the one" for Lillian Haswell. Klassen allows the reader to form their own idea of each possible suitor in the first 3/4 book by showing their good and bad side. The last fourth of the book Klassen wraps up the story and decides which of the suitors Lillian will end up with. The trouble with doing that is that I hoped she would end up with a different character than the one she did, so it might cause a bit of a let down if she does not end up with the one you want. Though Lillian obviously was with the one that was God's perfect match for her, I wanted (okay, I have to say it) her to marry Roderick Marlow. :P
(Definite spoilers below.)
The other is, there is mention to the fact that Lillian's father and Mary's Mother (Mrs. Mimpurse) slept together a long time ago and caused Mrs. Mimpurse to be with child even though they were both separately married. This just is so that the reader knows why Mary is Lillian's half-sister, and is almost an important part of the story. Mrs. Mimpurse's husband, as she tells the girls herself, had been with other women when he was married to her. And Lillian's Mother with other men possibly as well. There are no descriptions, only Mrs. Mimpurse coming out with the truth at the near very end of the book. There is suggestion that Lillian's Mother might have slept with other men, but they really don't know. Lillian's Mother died with her secrets.
There is nothing inappropriate I feel, when Klassen is giving these bits of information. She just sticks to the facts. Mrs. Mimpurse just says that when her husband had been away for a while, more than likely with another woman, and when Lillian's Mother was away doing who knows what, that they had slept together, but never since. And Mrs. Mimpurse regretted the act, though she does not regret having Mary and loves her daughter very much.
Klassen is merely giving the reason as to why Lillian is half-sister to Mary, though she doesn't know so until the end of the book. Like I said, no descriptions or anything like that, just the facts. Such information might not be wanted to be read by younger audiences, but really it is a matter of preference.
Summary of The Apothecary's Daughter
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.Fiction Books
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