Welcome to the first Blanc Sketch Studios Book Talk!
If you missed the video review, you can view it here…otherwise let’s keep digging in.
Elizabeth Gilbert should be commended for her ability to dive into the writing style of authors from the 1800’s. While it is easier to read Gilbert’s writing than say Charles Dickens, the flow and use of words is greatly appreciated throughout the story. It made the characters of Whiteacre really come to life. If the author had written this story in a modern tongue, I don’t think I would have appreciated Alma, the protagonist, and her family or her societal concerns as much. Gilbert eases the reader into the flow of her 19th century style with the first few chapters focusing on the history of Alma’s family rather than Alma herself. Also, the extent of historical knowledge that Elizabeth Gilbert put into this book is astounding. She covers topics such as botany, sea travel, running a business in the 19th century, and society. There are clever conversations between the characters concerning these topics as well as actual adventures to display the history and societal quirks of the time. Even if you’re not into history, these insights into the life of the characters through these topics act as an extra layer making them seem all the more real rather than fiction.
The Signature of All Things is such an interesting novel. The focus on the protagonist Alma, happens mostly through her 40’s and 50’s while she deals with relationships, science, and a quest that takes her to Tahiti. Alma herself is a well rounded character with faults like everyone else in the book. There is no character who does not come with a back story. Even if we, as the reader don’t discover it, Elizabeth Gilbert seems well aware of everything that her characters have experienced.
I definitely recommend this book, with the warning of some adult content. However, like I said in my video, that is not the main focus and it is handled very well by the author.
I hope you enjoy reading this book, and I’d love to hear your comments! Let me know what you’re reading right now and it could end up on a BSS Book Talk in the future. Next Friday I will be posting information and a video on next year’s books if you would like to read along with me. There will also be corresponding stickers for your planning enjoyment, which you can check out at: www.etsy.com/shop/blancsketchstudios
Stay curious,
Jancyn B.
P.S. Check out the video for more Elizabeth Gilbert fun here!
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