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There are currently 30 member reviews
for The Discovery of Jeanne Baret
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Debra C. (Vienna, Georgia)
Lost at Sea with Jeanne Baret
The very BEST parts of this novel were Chapters 8 and 9; these chapters absolutely told the story I thought I was reading - the story of Jeanne Baret...a good read. Ridley held my interest with those two chapters; however, the other chapters, although well researched and detailed, were frightfully boring. I felt as though I was reading the bio of botanist, Bougainville - not a good read. I got lost in the wealth of information that Ridley presented to me.
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Mary G. (River Forest, IL)
Just a Shadow of the Title Character
I wish I could give this book a better review because Ridley has done extensive research; unfortunately, as even she admits, there is simply not enough to be found about Jeanne Baret. The result is a book about 18th century botanical exploration and research, with a good dose of the expected role of women of that time. I almost felt the frustration of Ridley trying to work Jeanne's story in. ..there is so little to tell. Almost every reference to her is prefaced by a "we could assume" or "we might imagine." I guess I felt cheated - the book did not live up to its title. The story or Jeanne would have made an interesting magazine article; perhaps botanists will enjoy the book-length treatment.
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