The Signature of All Things

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Gilbert

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 21 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A glorious, sweeping novel of desire, ambition, and the thirst for knowledge, from the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed

In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure, and discovery. Spanning much of the 18th and 19th centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker - a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia.

Born in 1800, Henry's brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father's money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma's research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction - into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist - but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life.

Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across the globe - from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is the story of Alma Whittaker, who - born in the Age of Enlightenment, but living well into the Industrial Revolution - bears witness to that extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time, Gilbert's wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the hearts and minds of listeners.

©2013 Elizabeth Gilbert (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Gilbert's triumphant return to fiction is matched by Juliet Stevenson's lyrical reading. Both author and narrator capture the listener from the novel's opening words.” (AudioFile)

"A rip-roaring tale...unlike anything Gilbert has ever written.... Its prose has the elegant sheen of a nineteenth-century epic, but its concerns...are essentially modern." (The New York Times Magazine)

"With this novel about a young, nineteenth-century Philadelphia woman who becomes a world-renowned botanist, Gilbert shows herself to be a writer at the height of her powers." (O, The Oprah Magazine, "Our Favorite Reads of the Year")

"The most ambitious and purely imaginative work in Gilbert’s 20-year career: a deeply researched and vividly rendered historical novel about a 19th century female botanist.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Takes a long time to get to the point.

If you could sum up The Signature of All Things in three words, what would they be?

Great narration.

What does Juliet Stevenson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is remarkable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When I got to the end. Finally......If it were not for Julia Stevenson I would have stopped reading.

Wonderful story but a little depressing

This story was amazing. I stayed with all 21 hours and 43 minutes. I absolutely love Elizabeth Gilbert but geez, can you throw the reader a bone? I kept thinking things would get better for the main character. I was depressed by the time I finished this book. I just got through reading City of Girls which is one of the best books I have read in years. This was kind of a let down after this even though this is a thought provoking memorable book.

Best contemporary writing I’ve read/heard.

This is the only recent writing I’ve gotten my hands on that is is cover to cover excellent writing: language, timing, scope, etc. There are parts that are frankly pornographic; it does seem like they belong in the story and are part of the intimate life the heroine. However, you should know this before you read it. That’s not for everyone and I have trouble recommending the book for that reason.

unexpected

loved it, felt so connected to the story, the narrator made fill like I was their.

There is so much to digest in this book- LOve

I would listen\read it again. Plant life, human life, animal life.... what life is

Well written but complicated

Not a super easy listen, but if, after you read the publisher’s review you are still interested in a book that’s all over the map, you will probably like it. Some parts seem too long.

Dynamic Story, Wonderful Unique Topic

Loved the unique topic and the way the story unfolded. Excellent narration. Thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert for this journey.

Perfect in every aspect!!!!!

A fabulous story, extensive research was obvious and I learned so much. I loved this book. Highest recommendation.

Such an excellent performance...

This was one of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have ever read. Juliet Stevenson is incredible. I enjoyed every minute.

Wow - An Awesome Book!!

I loved this book! The narrator is one of the best I’ve heard. Highly recommended.