The Botanist's Daughter

By: Kayte Nunn

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Discovery. Desire. Deception. A wondrously imagined tale of two female botanists, separated by more than a century, in a race to discover a life-saving flower . . .

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.

In present-day Australia, Anna finds a mysterious metal box containing a sketchbook of dazzling watercolours, a photograph inscribed 'Spring 1886' and a small bag of seeds. It sets her on a path far from her safe, carefully ordered life, and on a journey that will force her to face her own demons.

In this spellbinding botanical odyssey of discovery, desire and deception, Kayte Nunn has so exquisitely researched nineteenth-century Cornwall and Chile you can almost smell the fragrance of the flowers, the touch of the flora on your fingertips . . .

'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

'I loved The Botanist's Daughter. I was transported to the 1880s and Chile, to contemporary Sydney and Kew. A gripping, warm-hearted read'
JOY RHOADES, author of The Woolgrower's Companion

'The riveting story of two women, divided by a century in time, but united by their quest to discover a rare and dangerous flower said to have the power to heal as well as kill. Fast-moving and full of surprises, The Botanist's Daughter brings the exotic world of 19th-century Chile thrillingly to life' KATE FORSYTH

Critic reviews

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 Botanist's Daughter has adventure, danger, love, loyalty, murder and the exoticness of a different culture. What more could a reader require?

Review

There's an easy familiarity to Kayte Nunn's new novel and it's all down to her two incredibly likeable, headstrong heroines.

Nunn has so exquisitely researched 19th-century Cornwall and Chile you can almost smell the fragrance of the flowers, the touch of the flora on your fingertips.

In these parallel narratives, Elizabeth's and Anna's journeys of discovery gradually intertwine in a charming and racy adventure of unexpected passion and intrigue.

great book

excellent book really enjoyed it and really enjoyed the fact that the Latin names of the plants were correct and the history behind plant hunters and how botany started back in the 1800s.

Started off a bit slow, but enjoyed it overall.

The story started off a bit slow, but I enjoyed it overall. I was not a fan of the narrator’s voices - found them distracting and some did not seem true to the character I imagined. But, that’s just my personal opinion!

Overall a good story.

Wonderful engaging story.

Loved the South American parts especially. It brings Chile of that time to life. The reader’s British accent could be better.

A saga across several worlds

I Thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found myself guessing at the outcome, all the way through.

I didn't get the end.

I missed something. I didn't get the end. who was Jamie? But loved the story and Caroline Lee is my number 1 favorite narrator.