The Apothecary's Daughter (Superior Collection)

It was enjoying to read a story about people practicing a known profession but about which so little is known. The heroine seemed to have been spoiled for choice of a husband!!!! Since all of her her suitors were ready to marry her!!! The mystery behind Rosa Halswell's disappearance was well used as its current runs underneath the story till the end. I wish the author had told us who she left everything behind for. The story actually makes us realise the value of things in our life we take for granted.

I loved that book. Ms Klassen has a knack for choosing her words and for making you reach her characters, their emotions. The apothecary's daughter is the story of a young girl, Lilly, who yearned to be away from her father's shop. She did not think she was cut to be just an apothecary's daughter. She wanted adventures and bright lights. She also wanted to know why her mother left them. She had also a brilliant mind, which alas, did not go down well in her time. A woman place was... well... in the bedroom and the kitchen. Dare not being intelligent or the 'learned' men will make sure you fall down so low you'll never be able to stand up again. But not Lilly, oh no. She fought her corner.When her father fell ill (I would think it was also a deep depression) she realised that she was indeed her father's daughter and she had the same passion for herbs, the same vocation.It is not just a romance, it is also a quest for Lilly's mother who just left them one day, when she was about 8 and the appalling views learned men had about women. It is also her brother's story, a young man with learning difficulties and the misunderstanding and ignorance about special needs in Regency times (and before).Lilly may appears at times quite selfish, but she is not. She is just a product of her time, with dreams and unanswered questions.I do think the 1 star review was unfair. Lilly and her father did not revive a dead man through prayers. They prayed and the man, supposedly dead, did wake up. People thought it was a miracle but Lilly's father knew better. And truthfully, it has happened in real life. Whether the prayers act as a catalyst or not is another story.And the amazing memory that Lilly's possessed was to highlight the plight that women had in this time. A wonderful memory would not avail them at all and would attract enemies from learned men. As a woman, you should have known your place and not try to rise above it. It also showed that beautiful women can be brainy (this, also, was against the common belief in these times).

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. The historical detail of conflict between the medical men of the time; surgeons, apothecary and doctors was well researched, as was the conflict of being an educated woman in a man's world.The plot was full of excellent twists and turns and not to give too much away, you'll be kept guessing right til the end.Although the author is associated with "Christian" literature (I didn't notice this until after I had read the book) don't let this put you off the book, if it's not your cup of tea. There were quite a few refs to praying and faith etc, but It certainly wasn't out of context for period in history. Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

I really loved this period story. It's a really interesting story, with great character's. This books deals with love and friendship. Hardships shared. And have this reader many hours of enjoyment.

A great book that gives insight into the old herbal medicines used and the prejudice in society against women apothecaries. A look at both kinds of life and what they have to offer-society or village life. Old fashioned village life, some high society, sadness and happiness found along the way. A great story, leaves you wondering which path is the right one. I loved learning about the names and uses of plants and treatments used back then-fascinating.I love all these kind of romances and the fact these people have a respect for God is very refreshing. I love all that Julie Klassen has written.

I quite enjoyed this book - I especially enjoyed learning about some of the qualities unique to the apothecary's trade at that time. I quite enjoyed the quotes scattered throughout the book, also. It does keep one guessing about a few things until right before the end of the book, which kept me reading on. Some of the transitions from chapter to chapter, or from one viewpoint to another didn't get explained very well.