Alma Whittaker's father is a botanist, an explorer whose discoveries have made him the richest man in the New World. Alma is born into privilege but she has also inherited her father's curiosity and intelligence. She becomes a gifted and respected botanist in her own right, all the more notable when her nineteenth century world is dominated by men.

Then Alma falls in love and her husband introduces her to the spiritual, the divine and the magical, but ultimately brings sadness and frustration. Where will Alma find fulfilment and happiness?

This is an astonishing book. It is vast in its scope; the settings are vivid and exotic, and the characters are intriguing and engaging. Alma is a wonderful heroine who copes with disappointment and isolation by immersing herself in her work, yet remaining a person of compassion, generosity and hope.

The book is written by the author of 'Eat, Pray, Love' which I thought was quite terrible and the film even worse. But I heard the head of Bloomsbury, the UK publisher, championing this book with such enthusiasm at London Book Fair, that I was intrigued and had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. Very enjoyable.