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84th out of 210 books
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16 voters
The Apothecary's Daughter
Susannah Leyton has grown up behind the counter of her father's apothecary shop, surrounded by the resinous scents of lavender, rosemary, liquorice and turpentine. More learned than any apprentice, she concocts soothing medicines and ointments with great skill. Content with her life, Susannah is shocked when her widowed father announces his intentions to marry again, and l...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
2011
by Piatkus Books
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Being a fan of historical fiction, the setting in London 1665 during the years of plague and the great fire provide a perfect foil to this sweet story of frustration, misunderstanding, love, family, healing of souls and creation of second chances. Lovely narrator who made the story more captivating. A book is a winner for me if it stimulates me to learn more about real events woven into the story.
May 30, 2012
Kathleen Hagen
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The Apothecary’s Daughter, by Charlotte Betts, narrated by Anne Dover, produced by Hachette Digital, downloaded from audible.com.
This novel takes place in 1665 and includes the Plague endemic and the Great London Fire as part of its background. Susanna Leyton grew up working with her father, an apothecary, helping him fill orders. In fact, she knew as much about it as he did, having learned from him. Then her father, a widower, remarries-a woman whoo is interested mostly in his money and who alr...more
This novel takes place in 1665 and includes the Plague endemic and the Great London Fire as part of its background. Susanna Leyton grew up working with her father, an apothecary, helping him fill orders. In fact, she knew as much about it as he did, having learned from him. Then her father, a widower, remarries-a woman whoo is interested mostly in his money and who alr...more
The Apothecary's Daughter delights the senses.
I love the design of this book, which makes a change from headless women or vast expanses of flowing skirt. It is nicely designed inside too, with well-chosen period typography for the title pages and a good clear readable font.
You would not think London in the time of the plague would be good material for a romantic novel, but Charlotte Betts pulls it off superbly. The book tells the tale of Susannah, who, after the re-marriage of her father to the...more
I love the design of this book, which makes a change from headless women or vast expanses of flowing skirt. It is nicely designed inside too, with well-chosen period typography for the title pages and a good clear readable font.
You would not think London in the time of the plague would be good material for a romantic novel, but Charlotte Betts pulls it off superbly. The book tells the tale of Susannah, who, after the re-marriage of her father to the...more
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I liked this for its historical setting being a bit different - 1665, so after the Restoration and just before the Great Fire and right in the middle of the plague. I liked the way that London life was dealt with in a realistic way, and I really enjoyed the details of the apothecary. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did though, becuase ultimately it feel a bit short of my expectations.
The main problem for me was the heroine, Susannah. Frankly, she was often a pain, she moaned a lot about...more
The main problem for me was the heroine, Susannah. Frankly, she was often a pain, she moaned a lot about...more
Oh lovely - what a satisfying read throughout!
I have spent the last few days living alongside Susannah the apothecary's daughter in plague ridden, pestilent, malodorous 15th century London. despite the foul backdrop I had a wonderful time there.
This is above all a romance but the authors canny research and ability to convey perfectly what it would feel like to witness unspeakable events unfolding, lift it from the mundane to the delightful. As well as the unfolding romance we are introduced to p...more
I have spent the last few days living alongside Susannah the apothecary's daughter in plague ridden, pestilent, malodorous 15th century London. despite the foul backdrop I had a wonderful time there.
This is above all a romance but the authors canny research and ability to convey perfectly what it would feel like to witness unspeakable events unfolding, lift it from the mundane to the delightful. As well as the unfolding romance we are introduced to p...more
4 likes · like · see review
Susanna is the daughter of a widowed apothecary living in the days of the Black Plague and that great fire of London. When her mother died in childbirth Susanna is terribly scared, possibly so much that she does not want to get married for the fear of having a child. However circumstances in her life change radically when her father decides to marry a much younger woman with 3 young children that are truly unruly. Arabella makes Susanna's life in her fathers home truly uncomfortable; so much so...more
Review originally published at http://www.bookthing.co.uk
The Apothecary’s Daughter is a book I’d been hearing good things about, and while it might not be a part of my usual set of genres, I wanted to give it a try. I started it this morning and absolutely could not put it down. When I’d finished, I had to let it sit for a while so I could think about it. It’s actually a very hard book to review, not because of the subject matter or that it’s an historical romance but because there are just so m...more
The Apothecary’s Daughter is a book I’d been hearing good things about, and while it might not be a part of my usual set of genres, I wanted to give it a try. I started it this morning and absolutely could not put it down. When I’d finished, I had to let it sit for a while so I could think about it. It’s actually a very hard book to review, not because of the subject matter or that it’s an historical romance but because there are just so m...more
Set in Restoration London, during the time of the plague and the great fire, this is an epic story that had me spell-bound from the first page to the last. The heroine is immensely likeable and you can’t help but feel for her when her life begins to fall apart, through no fault of her own. Having had an unconventional upbringing, she has to struggle against the prejudices of the time where women were concerned. This makes the reader warm to her and I wanted to see her happy. The hero is mysterio...more
I never tire of reading about this period in history in London. Charlotte Betts has given the events of London during the plague and Great Fire a new angle.
Charlotte weaves the story of a young woman who has great qualities both as an assistant to her Apothecary father, and also by her very caring nature and her empathy for people regardless of their social status. Susannah's personal struggles as part of a growing step-family and her decision to take an offer of marriage as her only option lea...more
Charlotte weaves the story of a young woman who has great qualities both as an assistant to her Apothecary father, and also by her very caring nature and her empathy for people regardless of their social status. Susannah's personal struggles as part of a growing step-family and her decision to take an offer of marriage as her only option lea...more
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...more
Susannah Leyton is the apothecary's daughter who has helped to...more
This is a wonderful debut novel, set in London in 1665 in the midst of the bubonic plague. Not a scenario I expected to enjoy, but the writing is excellent, with just enough detail to paint a vivid picture of the tragic, often ghastly scenarios, without gratuitous gore.
Susannah is the daughter of an apothecary in an age when women did not generally work outside the home; her life changes when her widowed father decides to marry again. There's a gentle love story underlying the whole of the book...more
Susannah is the daughter of an apothecary in an age when women did not generally work outside the home; her life changes when her widowed father decides to marry again. There's a gentle love story underlying the whole of the book...more
I LOVE this book and I know it will have a special place on my bookshelf but I’m having a hard time trying to think why.
The Apothecary’s Daughter is just simply a beautiful story. It’s about love lost and found, tragedy and making the best of the hand life deals you.
The story is set in London during the 1660s and covers the Great Plague of London ending with the Great Fire of London.
The book is about Susannah Leyton who has trained in her father’s apothecary all her life. And in case you were...more
The Apothecary’s Daughter is just simply a beautiful story. It’s about love lost and found, tragedy and making the best of the hand life deals you.
The story is set in London during the 1660s and covers the Great Plague of London ending with the Great Fire of London.
The book is about Susannah Leyton who has trained in her father’s apothecary all her life. And in case you were...more
Susanah is a very intelligent young woman who is different from most other young women is 1965. Her father marries a young woman who does not get on with her. This rift leads Susanah to marry Henry who later dies as a result of the plague. Susanah becomes closer to Dr Ambrose and many themes are explored.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were brilliantly developed and the world of 1965 was so much fun to read about and explore. Susanah is a woman in a man's world and the relationship...more
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were brilliantly developed and the world of 1965 was so much fun to read about and explore. Susanah is a woman in a man's world and the relationship...more
This book was fantastic and enjoyable in many ways! From the fact that I couldn't put it down to the point where I brought it with me wherever I went.
What I liked about the book was its plot. It is very different from your other everyday genres. The setting of this book dates back to the 1600s in olden day England, where women wore frilly puffy dresses and men wore coattails and large trench coats and top hats to shield themselves from the strong winds and gloomy weather. It was set at a time w...more
What I liked about the book was its plot. It is very different from your other everyday genres. The setting of this book dates back to the 1600s in olden day England, where women wore frilly puffy dresses and men wore coattails and large trench coats and top hats to shield themselves from the strong winds and gloomy weather. It was set at a time w...more
I really enjoyed this book. The setting is fresh and thoroughly researched, the details of the Plague Year vividly re enacted and the characters, while not deeply realised, are interesting. I found the book well plotted and the apothecary aspects fascinating. Apart from a few of those annoying, "one day women will be doctors, astronauts, long-haul lorry drivers" inserts,
Susannah makes a believable and sympathetic heroine. Arabella, the wicked step mother, is one dimensional but that would be ho...more
Susannah makes a believable and sympathetic heroine. Arabella, the wicked step mother, is one dimensional but that would be ho...more
COMPETITION TO WIN, RIGHT HERE: http://sentientonline.net/?p=2791 Open until 7th October 2011
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The Apothecary’s Daughter by Charlotte Betts is a historical/romantic fiction novel. Set in London during the time of the plague, we meet Susannah, the daughter of an apothecarist (as the name of the book suggests). Her father is a widow, his wife having died in childbirth, and he has raised Susannah himself, teaching her how to manage his store in all areas, from making medicines to handling the books...more
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The Apothecary’s Daughter by Charlotte Betts is a historical/romantic fiction novel. Set in London during the time of the plague, we meet Susannah, the daughter of an apothecarist (as the name of the book suggests). Her father is a widow, his wife having died in childbirth, and he has raised Susannah himself, teaching her how to manage his store in all areas, from making medicines to handling the books...more
I enjoyed the historical detail of this book and it is clear that a lot of careful research went into this book. There is a epic, sweeping feel to the novel and it certainly lives up to its description as a romantic work. However, I found some of the characterisation a little heavy-handed at times. For example, the hatred of one character towards another was emphasised repeatedly throughout with a variety of scowls and scornful looks which became tiring to read. Other such details are repeated t...more
At first I wanted more character development from this novel. Henry seemed too sketchy. But as I read on, I fell in love with this book. Life in London during the plague and fire is well described. The attraction between Susannah and the man other than her husband is the driving force. She faces many mysteries that cause her heartache, though some of that could have been solved if she'd asked more questions at the right times. She allowed the slave woman to treat her badly far too often, though...more
I was on holidays when I read this & was able to devour it in less than 24 hours, which must be a good sign. I have read historical fiction based on this particular period before (plague reprisal & the Great Fire of London), and find it always full of interesting things, especially in this particular book, which offers a view into medical practices of the time. A hell of a lot of plot is crammed into these pages, which is great - I certainly never got bored. I did get frustrated with a c...more
Charlotte Betts’ debut novel opens in 1665, a tumultuous time in which women were seen as ‘incapable’ of most things merely due to their gender. The Apothecary’s Daughter is set against the backdrop of the plague and the Great Fire of London in a period steeped in religious prejudices, greed, death and desolation. Enormous gulfs can be found throughout this seventeenth-century society, particularly with regard to the widening fissures between classes.
The Apothecary’s Daughter tells the story of...more
The Apothecary’s Daughter tells the story of...more
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From the moment I discovered historical fiction many years ago I have had a constantly thirst for well-written stories that will transport me back in time to a bygone era. My idea of a good historical read is one that allows you to take in all the period details, social nuances without holding up a page-turning story and The Apothecary’s Daughter ticks all those boxes and some.
Susannah’s problems start when her father unexpectedly remarries and she is jolted out of her contented position of mist...more
Susannah’s problems start when her father unexpectedly remarries and she is jolted out of her contented position of mist...more
Oh how I loved this book!
In fact I voted it my favourite book for January. I don't read a lot of historical novels, but this one conjured up such a vision rich in detail and texture that I found I couldn't put it down. I honestly felt like I had stepped into the 1600's. To be honest, that is one era of history that has always fascinated me - the plague and the Great Fire of London. I was pleased that the author really brought it to life for me with her vivid descriptions. I was amazed to discove...more
In fact I voted it my favourite book for January. I don't read a lot of historical novels, but this one conjured up such a vision rich in detail and texture that I found I couldn't put it down. I honestly felt like I had stepped into the 1600's. To be honest, that is one era of history that has always fascinated me - the plague and the Great Fire of London. I was pleased that the author really brought it to life for me with her vivid descriptions. I was amazed to discove...more
Charlotte is so descriptive and the story is brilliant.
The horrors of the plague are brought to life through the characters we are introduced to. The characters each have their flaws and yet work so well together.
Susanna is a brazen red head with a quick temper who had been spoiled by her father unwilling to really let her go to marriage after the tragic death of his wife in the child bed. She has been taught the ins and outs of apothecary and has soaked up the information prooving herself inv...more
The horrors of the plague are brought to life through the characters we are introduced to. The characters each have their flaws and yet work so well together.
Susanna is a brazen red head with a quick temper who had been spoiled by her father unwilling to really let her go to marriage after the tragic death of his wife in the child bed. She has been taught the ins and outs of apothecary and has soaked up the information prooving herself inv...more
I thought this book was interesting. I have never read anything about London during the 1664 period. It covers the period of the plague and great fire of London. It did not have many characters which was nice as I seem to have read a lot of books recently that have so many characters that it is difficult to remember who's who. I would recommend this book to any one who wants a light read with romance.
Honestly, it barely made the 5 stars, but it was very good. It follows Suzanna who is good and loyal to her trade and is also faulty, much to my delight. I think we've all had enough of our perfect girls. It's quite enthralling and paints the picture of 1660s London so very well, it can be described as a history source!
This is best described as the story of a family and a romance set during the plague years in London in the 1600's, rather than a historical novel. It is atmospheric and gives a good insight into the horrors endured by the citizens of London, especially those in Penury, but is largely a story of romance well told! Loved by Jan
Very well written novel, with truly believable characters. The novel felt hisotrically accurate (from my limited knowledge of 17th Century England). Not only this, but Susannah was an excellent heroine, only matched in brilliance by the lovely Dr William Ambrose. Another literary crush to add to my list :P
I would probably have really given this 3 and a half stars, but decided to round up. I did enjoy the book but found the plot rather predictable and the protagonist, Susannah, annoyingly stupid at times. However, I continued to read it so I must have found it entertaining on some level.
Great pace to this book, speeding up at the end so I was turning the pages furiously. I liked the way history was woven into the story, bringing the setting of plague stricken London and the great fire into focus, but never giving the reader a history lesson. A very good debut novel by this talented writer.
Enjoyed this one very much.. not the sort of book I usually pick up but it was recommended in the Library... so glad I decided to read it..
The story just flowed off the page.. i read it very quickly.. in about 24 hours... didn't really want to put it down!
The story just flowed off the page.. i read it very quickly.. in about 24 hours... didn't really want to put it down!
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Charlotte Betts discovered a passion for writing after her five children had grown up and left her in peace. Demanding careers in hotel design and property force her to be inventive in finding time to write but she has achieved seven novels in eight years. One of her short stories was published in Scribble and others short-listed by Writers’ News and Real Writers’. She has won first prize in five...more
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