“In a way, science is in pursuit of the signature of all things. It's what everyone in the novel is looking for and what all scientists are looking for: the fingerprint, the answer, the code, the hidden trick, the thing that's behind the apparent.” – Elizabeth Gilbert on National Geographic

Historical fiction about a 19th century female botanist? Yes please! The Signature of All Things focuses on the fictional character of Alma Whittaker and bulk of the book is set when she’s middle aged, which felt so refreshing! So often in historical stories we only hear of women’s way into marriage and stop there.

In addition to the structure, there’s much to love about the novel, the writing most of all. I doubt anyone can finish the book without looking at mosses, Alma’s research focus, differently.

“Alma put the magnifying lens to her eye and looked again. Now the miniature forest below her gaze sprang into majestic detail. She felt her breath catch. This was a stupefying kingdom. This was the Amazon jungle as seen from the back of a harpy eagle. She rode her eye above the surprising landscape, following its paths in every direction. Here were rich, abundant valleys filled with tiny trees of braided mermaid hair and minuscule, tangled vines. Here were barely visible tributaries running through that jungle, and here was a miniature ocean in a depression in the center of the boulder, where all the water pooled.”

It amazed me how Gilbert is able to describe the world of mosses and it was fun, yet unsurprising to discover that Robin Wall Kimmerer had helped her with the writing process. Kimmerer is an amazing bryologist (=moss botanist) and an author of indigenous descent.

Back to the novel and the things to love: there’s an exciting variation in settings, Philadelphia, Tahiti, Amsterdam, London, Peru, and similar variation of peculiarly individual characters, Alma’s family, housekeeper, friends and acquaintances. This is a big book, so everything fits.

In the beginning I actually felt hesitant to read as I didn’t want to ever be finished. At some point however, that feverish infatuation calmed into comfort and familiarity. The story has its faults, Alma too, yet I felt intimately close to both. I particularly related to her quest for knowledge:

“I am fortunate because I have been able to spend my life in the study of the world. As such, I have never felt insignificant. This life is a mystery, yes, and it is often a trial, but if one can find some facts within it, one should always do so – for knowledge is the most precious of all commodities.”

So clearly my first experience with Gilbert was a successful one, and I’m eager to read more.