Although this book is described as a tale about a family in the 18th & 19th centuries, most of it is about Alma, the daughter of the Whittaker family. Alma's father, Henry, a self taught botanist, made a fortune in botanical medicines, beginning with quinine. Alma is born into a life of privilege and luxury but eschews the society life for her own botanical research. Alma is the plain but very intelligent daughter. Her adopted sister, Prudence, is also intelligent but is beautiful and receives constant attention from men. Prudence marries their tutor and becomes involved in the abolitionist movement. Alma studies mosses, writes scientific articles on her research and, when nearly 50 years old, has a brief but unfortunate marriage to a younger man who is a botanical artist. Ultimately Alma leaves the family estate and travels the world before finding the botanical job of her dreams in the country of her mother's birth. The story is richly detailed, well written, and totally absorbing.
