Introduction
With her novel The Signature of All Things, acclaimed author Elizabeth Gilbert transports readers back to the 19th century to tell the epic story of Alma Whittaker, a female botanist ahead of her time. Born in 1800 to a wealthy family, Alma grows up on her family’s sprawling estate near Philadelphia surrounded by lush gardens filled with exotic plants collected by her botanist father. A child of privilege hungry for knowledge, Alma develops a deep passion for the natural sciences, especially botany. When not immersed in study, she explores the estate’s grounds, observing and cataloging the myriad plant species that will serve as her first “teachers.”
Though women are discouraged from pursuing education and careers in the sciences, Alma’s thirst for knowledge cannot be quenched. She immerses herself in her father’s library, teaching herself Latin to read groundbreaking scientific texts. With her father’s encouragement, Alma becomes a skilled botanist in her own right, corresponding with the great scientific minds of her era and making her own contributions to the field through meticulous research and observation.
Alma’s scientific pursuits ultimately lead her to meet Ambrose Pike, an eccentric artist with his own deep fascination with mosses. Their shared intellectual curiosity sparks a romantic relationship, and the two embark on an adventurous marriage spanning decades and continents. They settle in Tahiti, where the lush rainforests provide endless specimens for study. While Pike searches for artistic inspiration, Alma expands her research into the emerging field of evolution through observing the island’s exotic plant and animal life.
When a family tragedy calls Alma back to Philadelphia, her studies take a new direction. She investigates plant hybridization and pioneers work in genetics long before the mechanisms of inheritance are understood. Though she lives in an era when female scientists are rare, Alma relentlessly follows her intellectual passion, determined to contribute meaningful work to the scientific community.
The Signature of All Things is at once an enthralling portrait of a trailblazing female scientist and an epic story of adventure and discovery told through an unconventional 19th century woman’s life. With richly drawn characters and vivid historical detail, Gilbert invites readers into Alma’s fascinating world of botanical exploration, capturing both her pioneering spirit and unmatched dedication to uncovering nature’s secrets through tireless study and observation. It’s a thought-provoking celebration of passion and persistence in pursuit of knowledge, and the many ways one extraordinary life can impact generations.
You can find The Signature of All Things by author Elizabeth Gilbert on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
If you have loved The Signature of All Things, please also check out our review of “Cosmos” by author Carl Sagan.
Table of Contents
About author Elizabeth Gilbert
As the author of the wildly popular 2006 memoir “Eat, Pray, Love,” Elizabeth Gilbert rocketed to international fame. Yet beyond the bestseller, Gilbert is a prolific, talented writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
Born in 1969, Gilbert grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Connecticut. She attended New York University, majoring in political science before realizing her true calling was writing.
After college, Gilbert embarked on a freelance journalism career, writing for Spin, GQ and The New York Times Magazine. She honed her trademark blend of thoughtful personal essay and immersive reporting.
Gilbert’s first foray into books was the short story collection “Pilgrims” in 1997. The stories centered on eccentric misfits and outsiders seeking connection. Her gift for character development already evident, the collection was a finalist for the Pen/Hemingway Award.
Breakout Success with “Eat Pray Love”
In 2006, Gilbert published her memoir “Eat Pray Love” detailing her journey of self-discovery after a difficult divorce. The candid book resonated deeply with readers, instantly connecting with women feeling unfulfilled.
An international phenomenon, “Eat Pray Love” has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The 2010 film adaptation cemented Gilbert as a household name.
While certainly Gilbert’s biggest commercial hit, “Eat Pray Love” somewhat overshadows her other works. Beyond the memoir, Gilbert has crafted immersive fiction and non-fiction on diverse themes.
Expanding Her Oeuvre
Gilbert followed up her smash memoir with another non-fiction book, “Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage” (2010). The sequel reflected on Gilbert’s life after “Eat Pray Love,” including her unconventional marriage.
In 2013, Gilbert returned to fiction with the novel “The Signature of All Things.” Meticulously researched and expansively imagined, the book tells the story of Alma Whittaker, a 19th century female botanical illustrator. The epic work highlighted Gilbert’s talent for lyrical, engrossing historical fiction.
Her second novel “City of Girls” (2019) was a Jazz Age tale of a young woman discovering independence in 1940s New York. Lively and layered, the book displayed Gilbert’s knack for capturing the voice of strong female protagonists bucking societal norms.
Gilbert also hosts the popular podcast “Magic Lessons” dispensing wisdom on creativity and life. Her elite coaching program on the same theme further cements her status as a self-help guru.
An Engaging, Prolific Author
While often pigeon-holed as a “chick lit” writer post-“Eat Pray Love,” Gilbert’s body of work reveals an author of impressive range. Whether memoir, fiction or non-fiction, her books share resonance with readers through warmth, insight and character depth.
Now in her 50s, Gilbert continues prolifically writing and exploring new creative directions. She remains popular on the speaking circuit, engaging audiences with her trademark combination of personal anecdote and deep research.
For any reader looking for stories of self-discovery and women bucking convention, Gilbert’s bibliography offers much depth beyond her breakout memoir. Her talent for rendering the inner lives of memorable characters in vivid prose shines throughout her work.
An Unconventional Upbringing Shaped by Botany
Back to The Signature of All Things: Alma is no ordinary woman. Born in 1800 to a wealthy family in Philadelphia, her life is profoundly impacted by her father Henry, a brilliant botanist and pharmaceutical magnate. Surrounded by her father’s exotic plant collection from a young age, Alma develops a deep love of botany and the natural world.
Gilbert paints a vivid picture of Alma’s unconventional upbringing. With tutors instead of traditional schooling, access to her father’s vast library, and immersion in horticulture and science, Alma grows up questioning, observing and hungry to understand the world around her.
As a budding botanist myself, I found Gilbert’s passages on Alma’s early fascination with plants and desire to classify them rang true. The book contrasts Alma’s structured homeschooling focused on science with the limited educational opportunities for women at the time.
An Unfulfilling Marriage Leads to Transformation
Despite her progressive upbringing, the expectations for women in the 1800s eventually restrict Alma’s freedom. At age 22, she enters into an pragmatic marriage with handsome young Dutch merchant Ambrose Pike.
At first ambitious about her wifely duties, Alma struggles to find meaning and intellectual stimulation as Ambrose’s bride. Their union is further strained by heartbreak and loss.
It’s during this period that Alma undergoes a dramatic personal transformation. She emerges from her cocoon of grief as a courageous, determined woman ready to chart her own course.
Gilbert vividly depicts this shift in riveting detail. The intricacies of Alma’s awakening, relationships and search for purpose kept me eagerly turning the pages.
One Woman’s Odyssey into the Jungle
As Alma comes into her own, she satisfies her thirst for knowledge through hands-on botany, voracious reading and correspondence with leading scientists. She publishes groundbreaking research and establishes herself as a respected expert in moss specimens.
When Ambrose heads to Tahiti on an extended trading expedition, Alma sees an opportunity. She joins the voyage, turning it into a 18-month botanical adventure that takes her from Tahiti to remote corners of Tropical Pacific.
Gilbert’s talent for transporting the reader shines in the Tahiti chapters. I was right there trekking through dense jungle as Alma encounters exotic new plant species. Gilbert’s lush description of this landscapes and research is a highlight of the novel.
A Bittersweet Homecoming and Quiet Denouement
When Alma returns to Philadelphia after her epic journey, she struggles to adjust to domestic life. The city and the house she once called home now feel stifling. She finds herself questioning the meaning of her accomplishments in Tahiti as she settles into solitary middle age.
Gilbert treats this denouement with nuance. We understand Alma’s restlessness, her desire for recognition, and her complicated relationship with Ambrose. But we also witness Alma’s gradual acceptance of a quieter life focused on writing, research and intellectual friendship.
The ending is poignant rather than triumphant. Alma realizes contentment need not be externally bestowed through prizes or acclaim. It can come from within through small acts of generosity, discovery and connection—a lesson that resonated with me as a reader.
Final Thoughts – An Epic Tapestry of Science, Women and Purpose
At almost 600 pages, “The Signature of All Things” can be seen as a heavy tome, however, I was absorbed from start to finish by Alma’s journey across decades and continents. Gilbert succeeds in making 19th century botany come alive on the page. The scope is sweeping, yet grounded in intricate research into Alma’s world.
Gilbert’s lyrical writing shines whether she’s describing a stroll through Kew Gardens or the wonders of Otaheite. This novel cements her talent for meticulously researching historical periods and bringing eras to life.
Alma Whittaker makes for a fascinating and progressive protagonist. Gilbert poignantly explores the constraints on women’s lives in the 1800s while highlighting Alma’s intelligence, resilience and individualism.
“The Signature of All Things” is the kind of literary historical fiction I love best – transporting me to another time and place, centered around an unforgettable character. Gilbert has crafted a beautiful ode to science, exploration and the meaning of life. I’d recommend this brilliant novel to any reader with an interest in botany, women’s lives or adventuresome sagas. It’s a book that will stay with you long after turning the last page.
Other Sweeping Historical Fiction I Recommend:
- “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver
- “The Miniaturist” by Jessie Burton
- “The Glass Palace” by Amitav Ghosh
- “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese
- “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck
FAQs
What is The Signature of All Things about?
The Signature of All Things is a novel that follows the life of Alma Whittaker, a botanical scientist living in the 19th century. Alma is fascinated by the mysteries of evolution and the natural world. The book explores her quest for knowledge, her relationships, and her attempts to understand the “signatures” or patterns that underlie all living things. It’s an epic tale that spans continents and decades as Alma seeks to understand the meaning of her own existence.
What time period does the novel take place in?
The Signature of All Things primarily takes place in the 19th century and spans many decades of Alma Whittaker’s life. The novel opens in 1800 when Alma is born in Philadelphia. It follows her through the 1830s as she conducts research expeditions in Tahiti and Amsterdam. We see Alma live well into the 1880s as an elderly woman reflecting on her life’s work in understanding moss.
Who are the main characters?
The main character is Alma Whittaker, an intelligent, determined female botanist who pioneers new scientific understandings. Other key characters are her father Henry Whittaker, a wealthy botanical explorer; Ambrose Pike, an artist Alma falls in love with; and Prudence, Alma’s adopted Tahitian daughter. Alma’s relationships with these characters shape her life’s journey.
What were some of the major themes of the novel?
Key themes in The Signature of All Things include science and religion, the drive for knowledge, female ambition and independence, the meaning of life, love, personal growth over a lifetime, and connection to the natural world. Alma represents an early female pioneer in science who challenges gender barriers. Her philosophical ponderings reflect on finding purpose.
How did readers respond to The Signature of All Things?
The Signature of All Things received very positive reviews, with many praising Gilbert’s writing and the epic scope of the novel. Critics called it ambitious, transporting, intelligent, and thought-provoking. Readers responded to the lyrical prose and fascinating explorations of botanical history, philosophy, and the human drive to understand our place in the universe. It was lauded for bringing to life a forgotten era of scientific exploration.
What inspired Elizabeth Gilbert to write this novel?
Gilbert was inspired by the true histories of female botanical explorers and pioneers who made major contributions to science yet were often ignored and lost to history. She wanted to bring one of these trailblazers to life. The novel grew out of Gilbert’s own deep interest in botany, evolution, Moss research, and the history of scientific thinking.
How much scientific research did Elizabeth Gilbert do for the novel?
Gilbert did extensive research over the five years she worked on The Signature of All Things. She pored over textbooks, papers, and diaries of early botanists to capture the essence of Alma’s world. Gilbert read Charles Darwin’s works and studied the history of scientific thinking around evolution, botany, and plant genetics spanning the 18th to 19th centuries.
Did Elizabeth Gilbert visit any of the novel’s settings?
Yes, to vividly portray the locales, Gilbert traveled to Philadelphia, Tahiti, and Amsterdam while writing the novel. She visited botanical gardens, libraries, and historical societies to immerse herself in Alma’s landscapes. Much of the novel is infused with meticulous details about actual plants, gardens, and landscapes that Gilbert observed in her research.
Why moss? What role does it play in the novel?
Moss becomes Alma’s obsession later in life as she strives to make a major scientific discovery. Gilbert chose moss because it represented an overlooked “frontier” that Alma could explore and pioneered new innovations in. Moss provides insights on evolution and serves as a metaphor for Alma’s own growth. Hidden epiphanies lie in moss just as Alma finds purpose in obscure places.
What message or themes did The Signature of All Things leave you thinking about?
This sweeping novel left me pondering the nuances of a woman’s life in another era, the challenges of navigating ambition and societal expectations, the mystery of evolution and scientific investigation, and the meaning we create for our own lives. It’s a story still resonant today in its explorations of purpose, love, botany, and what constitutes a life well lived.
