Imperfect Alchemist

A good book, involving Rose, a former maid to Lady Catherine, who dies. She takes some months to get used to her new mistress, Mary, but when she does they grow closer. Part of the novel involves the artistic talent of Rose, and part of it involves the new mistress's literary talents. Life goes on for both of them, and alchemy is a project they can both share. I found this novel to be interesting and informative, as well as historically accurate. A good read.

Wow loved this book! To be honest, I was probably missing some of the deeper meanings of the alchemy but that didn't matter. A wonderful book with two really strong lead characters, alternate chapters from their perspective. You follow Mary and Rose's lives from when they are young and into middle age. What was even a nicer touch is that many of the characters were based on real people.

Well worth a read!

Imperfect Alchemist is an enjoyable historical novel, charting the lives of Mary Sidney and her maid Rose from childhood to middle-age, through joy, inspiration and heartbreak.

As a piece of historical fiction, it’s pretty straightforward, featuring many of the famous faces of the day. It’s one of those novels that grows on you more for its characters than its narrative – the prose is competent, only occasionally capturing moments of magic in the descriptions of alchemy. But Mary Sidney herself is a fascinating figure, and this imagined history is equally thought-provoking and engaging.

Tudor England, witchcraft, magic and alchemy, what’s not to love? This book gives life to an important historical female figure Mary Sidney Herbert one of the earliest women authors in this period in England to publish under her own name. She is brilliantly brought to life in this book and deserves to be remembered for making a name for herself in what would have predominantly been a man’s World. This book pays respect to how difficult life was for women during the Tudor period.

My thanks to Naomi Miller, Allison and Busby and Netgalley for the ARC of IMPERFECT ALCHEMIST. I can't get enough of historical fiction, and the discovery of books such as Imperfect Alchemist is one of the reasons why. I found the descriptions of the various potions and tinctures incredibly interesting, but most of all I love the characterization of Lady Mary and the wonderful Rose, both of whom I championed, Their entwining stories set the pace.. All through the book I wanted so much for them both to find their happiness in a time where unknown illnesses and sudden death seemed to sweep away loved ones so cruelly, and women who had an interest in finding cures for the ailments they suffered were regarded with suspicion instead of being encouraged. I truly believe that including points of historical reference such as famous names and familiar places can bring colour and reality to what is a fiction, yet one so beautifully created. And to discover the mention of Houghton House which I can see from a window in my house was the icing on the cake. Wonderful!.