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A well researched, well written, long, satisfying read! Just loved it. Calling all botanist, bryologists, taxonomists, naturalists...

I also loved this book. Have you read anything else by Elizabeth Gilbert? Can you recommend something similar? I did not want this book to end and I have been searching ever since I finished it back in January for something just as satisfying.

I really liked her "Eat, Pray, Love", and "Committed" ( a follow up to Eat, Pray, Love) is on my reading list.

I loved this book as well! One of the best books I have read in awhile. It was a very realistic portrayal of the Enlightenment period and the changing of perspectives to science based and how that played into religion. Alma Whittaker was a fictional character, which I was disappointed in. I like how Gilbert referenced actual theories and facts from some of the main scientists of that time. It could be slow at times, but this book really spoke to me and I feel like I could relate to Alma's own theories and perspectives about life.

Love how detailed your comment is, booknerd2300! Reading the book was like a mini botany course!! So well researched.

LOVED this. The Signature of All Things alternated between breaking my heart and sparking my wanderlust. Alma was refreshing in her honesty, capability and vulnerability. Ms. Gilbert has created an intricately layered portrait of a life. There is so much beauty and pain to be found in the story of ever human being, even in the most unexpected places; case in point a humble bryologist in Philadelphia. The characters were the joy of the book for me, each developed to their full potential and deeply flawed. Throughout this long book their motivations are expertly weaved in and nearly all is explained in due time, leaving some space for the mysteries of life. This made them very believable in my opinion and added immensely to the value. This is my first experience with the author, and I'm very interested in pursuing Gilbert's other work now that I have seen what she can do.