"The Signature of all Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert

A novel written by the "Eat, Pray, Love" lady huh? Well I loved "Eat, Pray, Love" so why not?

Why not indeed. This novel was unbelievable well written. It takes place in the 1800s and it is clear that Elizabeth Gilbert did so much research on that time period in order to make it come to life and feel real. The book is focused on science and Gilbert didn't skimp there either.

In this book, we get to follow the life of Alma, but we must begin with the background of her father because it is pivotal to her story. Alma basically grew up as a botanist with a very strict Dutch mother and a wildly successful botanist father. She was raised in Philadelphia when the United States was just getting it's feet underneath itself as a country. She grew up wealthy, well educated, and encouraged to debate with adults on difficult scientific topic from a young age. Alma's mind was always being developed and challenged and she gained her perspectives of life and the world around her from these experiences.

Alma's mother dies and she takes over the job of running the house, and her father. Alma and her father are intertwined. When her father eventually dies of old age, Alma find herself in a precarious position - she is now an old maid. She had a short marriage of friendship (not love) to a man who has passed away, she does not have any children, and she has never traveled anywhere. Alma decides that it is time to travel, to live, and to truly experience life. So she does. She is brave and she sets sail on an adventure. She let's her scientist mind guide her through her journey. Ultimately she learns to find contentment and love in the life she has and to love the people she shares her journey with.

This book came into my life at an interesting time. My dad passed away a few months ago. He and I were best friends. We had traveled through this life together and shared joys and challenges. We held each other up during difficult time and laughed together constantly. We loved sharing each other's company. The two of us had drastically different views of life, politics, religion, and society, but we loved each other because of these differences rather than in spite of them.

When he died, I felt the same sense of loss that Alma did when her father passed, I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't know who I am without my father. I knew that my dad never really approved of how I chose to live my life, but he loved me anyway. A few weeks after he died, I remember feeling a sense of freedom, which was immediately followed by guilt. I was free to be whomever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do without the looming weight of my father's approval or disapproval looming over my head. My dad loved me, but he wanted me to share his views and beliefs. Now that he was gone, my heart was broken, but I was also in a position to decide what I do now. Where do I go now? How do I live my life without my dad in it? Alma and I shared this. Her willingness to capture life and make it her own inspired me.

This book came right on time (as books usually do). I loved every moment of this book and appreciate that I could relate to it so much. Elizabeth Gilbert never disappoints or ceases to amaze me. This book brought joy into my life at a time that was overcome with sadness.

You can check out this book here: https://amzn.to/4rKXBJC