The Botanist’s Daughter

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The Botanist’s Daughter is written in third person with two strong female protagonists living 130 years apart. There are parallels between the two women despite being born in vastly different times and places. We meet both after they have suffered a family bereavement that sets their lives on an unusual course of action. Both women are single, with married sisters. Finally, both have a strong connection with botany.

Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of The Botanist’s Daughter for review. As you've probably guessed, there's a connection between Elizabeth, the journal and Anna's grandmother's house. Can you tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you have a strict schedule or write when inspiration strikes? Two different journeys in two separate centuries. We accompany Elizabeth as she travels from Cornwall to Valparaiso, while she looks for this wondrous plant, and as she finds a new life. We accompany Anna as she travels to London and then to Cornwall in search of answers. Who was responsible for the watercolours, and how did they end up in her grandmother’s home? And, as we accompany these two women on their separate journeys, we see some of the best and worst of human nature on display. Il titolo originale dell’opera, The Botanic’s daughter, è senz’altro più calzante rispetto alla traduzione italiana; sì perché, la prima protagonista in ordine di tempo, Elizabeth, è la figlia di un botanico, di un ricercatore appassionato di piante, di uno scienziato avventuriero in un’epoca in cui, senza aerei per attraversare il globo terrestre, si utilizzava la nave. Un viaggio pericoloso, malsano, che lasciava scie di incauti viaggiatori morti a bordo durante le lunghe rotte atlantiche.This is Australian author Kayte Nunn’s first historical novel. A love of botany inspired Nunn to write this multi-period novel set in Australia, England, and Chile. I’ve always loved books and words and stories and writing, from as soon as I could read by myself. I worked as a features writer and editor, getting very good at editing other people’s words, all the while ignoring the quiet voice telling me that what I really wanted to do was write my own stories. I finally summoned up the courage to begin, and am so pleased I did – it feels like the thing I am supposed to be doing. This historical fiction and dual narrative novel is both engaging and enjoyable. I appreciated both narratives and their lead characters immensely. Elizabeth and Anna were both charismatic, intelligent and likable. The descriptions of flora and the art in the sketchbook really paints a picture and creates a stunning imagery in the mind. I was immersed in this book from the very beginning and found it to be a very easy read. A couple of times I had to look up the definition of a word used but nothing wrong with extending my vocabulary haha. The voyage from Cornwall to Chile is hazardous, but even more danger awaits Elizabeth when she arrives at her destination. Damien Chegwidden, a ruthless English plant-hunter Elizabeth’s father had warned her about, is on the hunt for the Devil’s Trumpet too, and if the dangerous plant falls into his hands, who knows what will happen? Can Elizabeth find the plant before Chegwidden does? What other surprises await her in this strange new land? Her books have been described as, 'sensitive, atmospheric and often heartbreaking' (Who Weekly), offering 'compelling storytelling' (Australian Women's Weekly), and 'deliciously immersive' (The Daily Telegraph).

The best part of a year, but I was working as a freelance editor for some of that time, and finishing edits on my second book, so it was a little bit piecemeal. Vivid descriptions highlight intertwining plot lines that seamlessly build to a satisfying climax. For fans of authors such as Lauren Willig and Kate Morton' Library Journal Kayte Nunn is a former book and magazine editor with over two decades of publishing industry experience, and is the author of two contemporary novels, Rose’s Vintage and Angel’s Share. The Botanist’s Daughter is Kayte’s first novel of transporting historical fiction, and stems in part from her love of flowers and all things botanical.

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Neither really. I think I probably see myself as someone who writes books that feature strong female protagonists who have to make difficult decisions, often when it comes to who they love, but in relation to other things as well. I do also like the notion that items from the past can resonate through the years and still have power today and am looking forward to exploring that further in future books. It’s hard to say what books have influenced me, as I don’t want to try and write exactly like another writer, but in terms of resonance, books from my childhood such as Elizabeth Gouge’s Green Dolphin Country, Rumer Godden’s The Greengage Summer and Riders by Jilly Cooper are probably still up there. In Victorian England, headstrong adventuress Elizabeth takes up her late father’s quest for a rare, miraculous plant. She faces a perilous sea voyage, unforeseen dangers and treachery that threatens her entire family. As the stories unfold, Anna moves ever closer to solving the mystery of the diary and artworks, uncovering links to her own family's history.

Find out the connection between the two sun-dials in the gardens; and a certain lily which holds a secret as well as what's contained in the metal box. I enjoyed both – and writing with a slightly different voice for each to help give the flavour of the time was a lot of fun. I do have to confess a soft spot for Anna – I like her quiet brand of courage. When did you realise that an interest could become a novel? (eg. Botany, wine making in Rose’s Vintage)Anna was once again reminded of how extraordinarily long some plants had been around for, blooming, dying and blooming again across the centuries, seeds scattered on the wind, seedlings divided and shared, sold and replanted in foreign soil.” Nunn's US debut is an engaging, dual-period narrative tracing Esther's journey towards healing and wholeness as well as Rachel's attempts to move beyond her wanderlust and unwillingness to commit to a home, job or relationship. The ending highlights the enduring power of love and forgiveness' Booklist Magazine The Botanist’s Daughter is a time-slip narrative, or dual perspective if you prefer, where one character in the present day discovers a link to a person from the past and we become privy to two stories moving along within different eras. I absolutely loved this novel, both eras, both women, both journeys. It just hit the right note for me from the very beginning. The magic of finding a box with treasures from the past drew me in and held me captive. And the seeds! What a find, and how incredible that under Anna’s guiding green thumb, she got them to sprout after lying dormant for so long. It was this botanical aspect of the story that interested me the most. The quest for cuttings and seeds and the power of plants that stretches across the ages. More so though, the knowledge about the power of plants, because it’s one thing to have a plant that has useful properties, but it’s entirely another to understand its uses. Kayte tapped into this with intricate detail throughout this novel, highlighting how botanical art was also a source of information about the plants depicted, their origins and uses, the dangers and benefits. There was a lot more to this stream of art than pictures of pretty flowers. It is the flowers, the gardens and the botany which will entice you as you weave your way through the stories.

Here in this garden was the proof: while some lives ended, the rest of the world marched relentlessly on.’ Two incredibly likeable, headstrong heroines . . . watching them flourish is captivating. With these dynamic women at the helm, Kayte weaves a clever tale of plant treachery involving exotic and perilous encounters in Chile, plus lashings of gentle romance. Compelling storytelling' The Australian Women's Weekly Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.That’s really hard, can I have two? The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Both are wonderfully emotional and uplifting – you will laugh and cry.