That's What Makes the World Go Round - from The Sword and the Stone

The Apothecary

Author: Maile Meloy
Illustrator: Ian Schoenherr
Pages: 353
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Source: Received from Penguin at BEA

Description from Goodreads:
It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows—a fascinating boy who’s not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies—Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

First Sentence: "I was seven and living in Los Angeles when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II, and my first vivid memories are of how happy and excited everyone was."

Review:
I'd noticed The Apothecary, but it wasn't particularly on my radar. However, I certainly wasn't going to pass it up when I saw Meloy's short signing line just where I happened to be at BEA. I'm glad I did pick up a copy. The Apothecary is a thoroughly fun and silly middle grade novel, and even has some history lessons.

I straight up love history, so I was all about the Cold War aspects of the story. Spying and atomic bomb testing? Sign me up. This definitely doesn't read like a text book, though, so don't worry about that. If anything, The Apothecary is more designed to educate younger readers on the horrors of atomic warfare without actually scaring the pants off of them. I definitely thought it was awesome that Janie and her parents had to move at the beginning because of the Red Scare moving through the entertainment industry. 

What I liked best about The Apothecary definitely also formed a weakness in the story, ironically enough. I loved the scenes surrounding the use of the different alchemical recipes. The very best scenes of the book to me deal with the quintessential awkwardness of being 14, and the magic/science definitely highlights that. For example, one of my very favorite scenes occurs when Benjamin and Janie test out a truth serum on one another to make sure it works. Of course, they dare each other to say who they fancy. While that may not be surprising, it's totally what would happen and the scene just resounds with teenage discomfort.

However, I felt like the potions and powders were a bit too...easy, I guess. Have a problem? The Pharmacopoeia (Alchemical book) has something for it! What was perhaps more frustrating was that, except for one particular spell (or whatever you want to call it), the potions and stuff were already ready made. It just seemed kind of lame. I wanted the kids to do more, to have to work more to get going. It felt like most of the book was just the kids discovering new awesome thing after new awesome thing. It just felt too convenient to me.

While I did really like Meloy's writing, I felt like her characterization needed work. I really liked most of the characters actually, but I never felt especially connected to Janie, which is unfortunate, since you see from her perspective. I guess I just had trouble getting a handle on who she was, other than a brave girl who likes adventures. I just don't feel like I know anything about her interests. Pip totally stole the show. He is such a perfect rapscallion!

All told, I definitely thought this was a wonderful read. It's worth perusing especially to see the gorgeous illustrations by Schoenherr. He did a marvelous job, and I always anticipated new chapters because I knew I'd get to see a new picture!

Rating: 3.5/5

Favorite Quote: "It’s safe to say I was not graceful about the move to London. I was not witty, patient, adaptable Jane Austen. And if I was anything like Katharine Hepburn, it was in the scenes where she’s being a giant pest."

"You must set your sights upon the heights 
Don't be a mediocrity 
Don't just wait and trust to fate 
And say, that's how it's meant to be 
It's up to you how far you go 
If you don't try you'll never know 
And so my lad as I've explained 
Nothing ventured, nothing gained 

You see my boy it's nature's way 
Upon the weak the strong ones prey 
The human life it's also true 
The strong will try to conquer you 
And that is what you must expect 
Unless you use your intellect 
Brains and brawn, weak and strong 
That's what makes the world go round "