The Pharmacist's Wife is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of the dark side of Victorian marriage.
Set in Edinburgh in the late 18th century, it tells of newlyweds, Rebecca and her pharmacist husband, Alexander Palmer.
Rebecca married Alexander in a whirlwind due both to his flattery and her fear of becoming a spinster at the grand old age of 28.
Alexander married Rebecca as he was in need of a wife he could control, thinking that she would be an easy, pliable target.
Through the course of the book, we encounter prostitution, sexual kinks, unrequited love, the power of the patriarchy and Alexander's new wonder drug, heroin.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark and moody Victoriana.
Set in Edinburgh in the late 18th century, it tells of newlyweds, Rebecca and her pharmacist husband, Alexander Palmer.
Rebecca married Alexander in a whirlwind due both to his flattery and her fear of becoming a spinster at the grand old age of 28.
Alexander married Rebecca as he was in need of a wife he could control, thinking that she would be an easy, pliable target.
Through the course of the book, we encounter prostitution, sexual kinks, unrequited love, the power of the patriarchy and Alexander's new wonder drug, heroin.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark and moody Victoriana.