Friday again, and it's time for my choice of book for Friday recommends...
This is an exciting book blog hop that book bloggers can take part in once a week to share with their followers, the books that they most recommend reading!
The rules for Friday Recommends are:
Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
Pick a book that you've read, and have enjoyed enough to recommend to other readers. It can be a book you've read recently, or a book you read years ago - it's up to you - but make sure you tell us why you love the book (like a mini review). You make the post as long or as short as you like.
Visit the other blogs and enjoy!
My Recommended Read
is
The Apothecary's Daughter
by
Charlotte Betts
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published 2011 by Piatkus Books
Paperback
Published February 2012
Paperback
Published February 2012
Set against the back drop of Restoration England , this book brings to life the sights and smells of a teeming city. It describes beautifully the way of life in London in 1665, when the plague was rife and red crosses appeared on doorways with alarming regularity. The descriptions are so evocative you can almost hear the dead carts rumbling through the cobbled streets, and watch with horror as bodies are tumbled into lime filled pits.
Susannah Leyton is the apothecary's daughter who has helped to run her father's apothecary shop since she was a young girl. When her place in her father's affection is taken by a new and avaricious step mother, Susannah must learn to make her own way. A disastrous marriage follows which engulfs Susannah in a whole new range of problems but brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters.
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but this one is glorious - you really feel like you have your nose pressed to the window, and are peering at the array of lotions and potions on offer inside. This rich tapestry is so wonderfully evocative of plague ridden London, you feel as if you walk the same streets and smell the same malodorous smells. I stayed up long and late to finish as I simply couldn't put it down.
I look forward reading more historical novels from this talented story teller.
Susannah Leyton is the apothecary's daughter who has helped to run her father's apothecary shop since she was a young girl. When her place in her father's affection is taken by a new and avaricious step mother, Susannah must learn to make her own way. A disastrous marriage follows which engulfs Susannah in a whole new range of problems but brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters.
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but this one is glorious - you really feel like you have your nose pressed to the window, and are peering at the array of lotions and potions on offer inside. This rich tapestry is so wonderfully evocative of plague ridden London, you feel as if you walk the same streets and smell the same malodorous smells. I stayed up long and late to finish as I simply couldn't put it down.
I look forward reading more historical novels from this talented story teller.
I give this book a wonderful 5***** review.
About the Author.
Charlotte Betts began her working life as a fashion designer in London, followed by a career in interior design. The Apothecary's daughter is her debut novel, which won the RNA New Writers award 2011 and the YouWriteOnBook of the Year 2010.
Charlotte's next book The Painter's Apprentice is due out in August 2012 - I can't wait !!!
I've found another favourite author, and one of my reads of 2012.
Sometimes I really struggle with historical fiction, but the cover of this is so gorgeous, I love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give this one a try.
Great review Josie!
Thanks Anne - If this book wasn't a library copy I would send it to you....lol!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy reading the book when you get it - and I agree the cover is gorgeous !!