The idea of living as a maid for her aunt forces talentless and orphaned Francis to reconsider an unwelcome marriage proposal. She has been left impoverished after a life of privilege and idleness. On the way to her wedding and future life in Africa she falls in love with another man and suddenly her prospects look brighter.
‘The Fever Tree’ set mainly in South Africa in the late 1900s also outlines one man’s crusade against an impending smallpox epidemic. We were reminded of stories with other hellish locations and the menaces of disease. ’ The Painted Veil’, for instance, is a 1925 novel by W. Somerset Maugham that also follows a humanitarian British doctor in another doomed marriage and his fight against cholera in an isolated part of China.
Our group discussed Francis’ implausible instant transformation into an efficient housekeeper and her equally sudden changes of heart from love to hate. None of the main characters are likeable and this makes it a difficult book to get into. The only truly redeeming character in this spineless narrative seems to be Francis’ pet zebra.
Background on social divides of the era appears informed, but lengthy. Social commentary on living conditions for the rich in England and the poor in Africa described some of the dangers the workers faced to smuggle diamonds out of the mines and the management’s brutality if they were caught.
We talked about Francis’ predicament as a young, single woman without a dowry. The wealthy part of her family considered her lack of fortune a problem. They offered her to poorer relations who needed help, but Francis’ education never introduced her to housework or childcare. She was rendered virtually useless for work with a crippling inability to make do or improvise.
Some group members suggested that Francis might yet run away with a different doctor who can give her the future she anticipated as a child. Alternatively they could see a twist where Francis’ father’s investments recover and she heads to America to develop an independent life.
For the majority of our group this novel was quite enjoyable and an easy read, but ultimately it was very disappointing. It lacked that essential quality that would have made allowances for contrived romantic elements, overuse of adjectives and a distinctly familiar plot. Average score 6/10

Beautiful, powerful, mesmerizing....

From England to South Africa. From wealth to poverty. From being happy and content to being unhappy and resentful.

Frances had no choice but to move to South Africa after her father died. She was left with nothing and definitely didn't want to live with her aunt to be a nursemaid or to be treated like help instead of family. She had to accept Edwin's proposal. Things happened in between her marriage to Edwin, though, that made her second guess her decision to marry him and to move to South Africa.

THE FEVER TREE is written in a beautiful, descriptive style. The storyline held my interest because of the lifestyle, the setting, the period in history, and definitely because of the characters. You will feel sorry for Frances and really dislike Edwin and William.

Ms. McVeigh has an elegant writing style that immediately pulled me in. THE FEVER TREE is a book about family, class distinction, making decisions, and a love that endures...find out what this enduring love is as you turn the pages in this haunting, unforgettable read.

You will be able to put yourself in Frances' shoes and feel her despair with her life, her decisions, and her surroundings simply because of the amazing way Ms. McVeigh details every sentence and situation.

You will be able to vividly see every detail because of Ms. McVeigh's amazing imagery and feel what Frances and the other characters are feeling because of her writing skill. The description of the African landscape is stunning. You will feel the dust in your clothes and the bleakness of the dry land.

THE FEVER TREE is truly a sultry book you won't want to put down and one you will remember long after you turn the last page.

THE FEVER TREE is a beautiful combination of historical fiction and a passion for life, for causes, and dreams. Don't miss this mesmerizing debut novel. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Many interesting topics incorporated into the plot. Everybody liked this book but it didn't produce much of a discussion.c