The Chocolate Maker's Wife: A Novel

Rosamund is of age and desperate to leave her abusive home, but the ‘how’ causes consternation. All but sold to nobleman Sir Edward Blithman, Rosamund doesn’t know if she will be treated better or worse than in her family home. Charming and beautiful, with a way that brightens the room, she’s also capable and competent, and able to mix the new delicacy, chocolate, with flair. Strangely enough, with the chaos in England during this time, it was a chance for women to be ‘freer’ with conditions, many would open businesses, own properties and conduct their lives with a solid sense of self-determination. The men were consumed with other matters, and the women were allowed to function near-freely – a condition that would soon be halted and not be reproduced until after the Suffragette movement. That was possibly the most intriguing bit of history I hadn’t known before, and the character of Rosamund does embrace these freedoms and opportunities with open arms. When we first met Rosamund, she is a mere ten year old girl, but with the freedoms and appreciation shown her in her marriage, and her ability to blend herbs and flavors into the chocolate bring customers to the door in droves. As a male-dominated establishment, her beauty can be a double-edged sword, her concoctions thought to be ‘magical’ and the ever-present danger of religious fervor never far away. Of course, as she grows and experiences life, los and great events (including the London fire) she’s gaining skills and talents that can be to her benefit, if she chooses wisely. We get the full range of possible behaviors from the characters- from horrible to not saying boo to a goose, but the peculiar mix of Rosamund with her more archaic speech contrasting with her often very modern belief system did make for some interesting thoughts and conundrums – for both her and the reader. What stands out is the interweaving of historical events and people with the fictional ‘what happened’ that extends beyond the ‘written’ records used for sourcing, and beings the delights of chocolate – first as the “new” delicacy, then with the additions and manipulations that Rosamund brought to the table. Surviving strife, fire, abuse and plague, and finding the elusive ‘love’ what Rosamund discovers is that simple pleasures are most needed and appreciated in times of difficulty – and what is simpler than a pot of chocolate with all of its complexity hidden beneath and within the first sip. While not as gripping to me as The Locksmith’s Daughter, this was a story that is loaded with visual and sense imagery, history and plenty of intrigue as Rosamund’s life unfolds before our eyes in a time when England was redefining itself as a country and a republic, and the people were subjected to a series of struggles and challenges, all made better with chocolate. I received a paperback copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.