The story revolves around Gerard, a young boy who lives with his parents in a small cottage surrounded by a beautiful garden filled with various herbs and flowers. Gerard's father is an herbalist who uses the plants to create medicines. The family's life is peaceful until Gerard's mother dies, leaving him and his father alone. As time passes, Gerard's father becomes increasingly obsessed with finding the "Elixir of Life," a mythical potion that can cure any ailment. His obsession leads to neglect of Gerard and the garden, causing their lives to deteriorate.
By Edmund Gosse · First published 1597 · Genre: Non-fiction, Scientific literature, Historical