Review: The Signature of All Things
Gaby Meares
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Juliet Stevenson. At almost 22 hours of listening, it was an investment! But brilliantly read by Stevenson.
And I really liked it until it got pretty weird! She is a woman who overcomes the standard prejudices and expectations of the 1800s to become a botanist, and pursue, research into evolution, before anyone had heard of Darwin’s theory. Alma has a mind that lends itself to the pursuit of a scientific answer to everything in this world, and the next. However, when it comes to relationships, and sex, Alma is all at sea. And it’s disappointing to see her belittle all her achievements by proclaiming that she has finally got ’everything I’ve ever wanted, at long last’ when her dead husband’s gay lover ejaculates in her mouth! Really? Elizabeth Gilbert, you can do better than this!!!! Yep, like I said, pretty damn weird! All the feminists in the room are cringing right now. God knows, I sure am.
However, I always love a book that introduces me to a new word: ‘quim’, not that this is one I’ll be using in my day to day conversations (look it up!)