Discover books similar to "The Signature of All Things"
Elizabeth Gilbert
The Signature of All Things
In 'The Signature of All Things,' Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' delves into the world of 19th-century botany and natural philosophy through the story of Alma Whittaker, a brilliant and unconventional woman. Alma, the only child of a self-made Dutchman and his intelligent, cultured wife, grows up in a loving, intellectually rigorous household that includes her father's various employees and specimens from his extensive plant collection. Alma's curiosity and thirst for knowledge are encouraged from a young age, and she becomes a formidable scholar in her own right, specializing in the study of mosses. The novel spans several decades, following Alma's life from her childhood in Philadelphia to her travels to Tahiti and beyond. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, including her tutor and eventual husband, Retta, a freed slave with a passion for botany; Ambrose Pike, a charismatic artist and spiritual seeker; and Henry Whittaker's business rival, the cunning and ambitious George Verrall. Gilbert's lush, descriptive prose brings to life the world of 19th-century science and exploration, as well as the social and cultural norms of the time. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, and the search for meaning, as Alma grapples with her own limitations and the expectations placed upon her as a woman in a male-dominated field. At its heart, 'The Signature of All Things' is a celebration of the natural world and the human capacity for curiosity, discovery, and connection. It is a rich, immersive reading experience that will captivate fans of historical fiction and anyone with a love of science and nature.
List of books similar to "The Signature of All Things":
Rebecca Skloot
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
This book is a great choice for readers who enjoyed 'The Signature of All Things' due to its focus on science and the moral implications of scientific discovery. 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells were used without her consent to create the first immortal human cell line, which has been used in countless medical breakthroughs.
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Sarah Perry
The Essex Serpent
Fans of 'The Signature of All Things' will enjoy 'The Essex Serpent' for its lush historical setting and exploration of science and nature. Set in Victorian England, the novel follows a young widow who moves to the countryside and becomes embroiled in the search for a mythical sea creature.
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Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible
Like 'The Signature of All Things', 'The Poisonwood Bible' is a sweeping historical novel that explores the intersection of science, religion, and culture. The novel follows a Baptist minister and his family as they move to the Belgian Congo in the late 1950s, and the consequences of their actions as they clash with the local culture.
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Donna Tartt
The Secret History
Readers who enjoyed the richly drawn characters and intricate plot of 'The Signature of All Things' will find much to love in 'The Secret History'. The novel follows a group of classics students at a small New England college who become embroiled in a murder plot.
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Chad Harbach
The Art of Fielding
Fans of 'The Signature of All Things' will appreciate the attention to detail and character development in 'The Art of Fielding'. The novel follows a gifted baseball player at a small liberal arts college and the people in his orbit, exploring themes of ambition, identity, and the search for meaning.
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Edith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
Readers who enjoyed the historical setting and exploration of social norms in 'The Signature of All Things' will find much to appreciate in 'The Age of Innocence'. The novel is set in Gilded Age New York and follows a wealthy lawyer who becomes engaged to a respectable young woman, but finds himself drawn to her unconventional cousin.
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Colson Whitehead
The Underground Railroad
Like 'The Signature of All Things', 'The Underground Railroad' is a sweeping historical novel that explores the consequences of slavery and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness. The novel imagines the Underground Railroad as a literal train system, following a young slave as she escapes from a Georgia plantation.
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Sarah Waters
The Paying Guests
Fans of 'The Signature of All Things' will appreciate the rich historical detail and character development in 'The Paying Guests'. The novel is set in post-World War I London and follows a young woman who takes in lodgers to make ends meet, leading to a dangerous and forbidden love affair.
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