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Following the paths of Neil Gaiman, Julia Alvarez and Carl Hiaasen, bestselling author Meloy (Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It, 2009, etc.) takes a successful plunge into middle-grade fiction.
Before the House Committee on Un-American Activities can interrogate Janie Scott's Hollywood writing-team parents for being possible Communists, they move to London. "I was no witty, patient, adaptable Jane Austen," the 14-year-old admits as she recalls helping to save the world in 1952. While palling around with Benjamin Burrows, who'd rather be a spy than follow in the apothecary family tradition, Janie becomes entangled with Cold War espionage after Benjamin's father mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a secret 700-year-old book of magic elixirs. As the teens, joined by pickpocket Pip (seemingly plucked out of Great Expectations), search for the apothecary (truly an alchemist), they must also outrun their dreamy Latin teacher (who could be a double agent), rescue a kidnapped Chinese chemist and work with other scientists from around the world to thwart the Soviet's detonation of an atomic bomb 20 times more powerful than Hiroshima's, all while testing out some of the elixirs along the way.
Although Janie's narration loses some of its charm and humor as the adventure escalates, its blend of history, culture and the anxiety of the time with magical "science" will keep readers just as spellbound as the characters. (art not seen) (Historical fantasy. 10-14)
For fourteen-year-old Janie Scott, daughter of a husband-wife comedy writing duo, life in midcentury Los Angeles involves women with French twists and men with undone ties drinking lemonade and wine on her parents' porch, avocados eaten in "fat, green slices with salt right out of the shell," and practicing her Katharine Hepburn swagger in bright green, flared sailor trousers. Within mere paragraphs, Maile Meloy — novelist, short story writer, and sister of Decemberists frontman and freshly minted young adult novelist Colin Meloy — demonstrates the snap, color, and wit that suffuse every page of The Apothecary, her first novel for young adults.
Unfortunately, 1952 is also the period when wartime "panic" has been replaced with "a constant, low-grade anxiety" — Cold War "duck and cover" drills and paranoia about Communists. Janie's parents, on the verge of being blacklisted for political reasons, flee with her overnight to London, where they are employed to write for the BBC under pseudonyms (the TV show is modeled after a similar real-life Cold War program). "Going from Los Angeles to London in 1952 was like leaving a Technicolor movie and walking into a black-and-white one," says Janie, now confined to a small, gray apartment with hot-water bottles for heat and black-market eggs.
But she soon befriends Benjamin, the son of the local apothecary, whose seemingly benign home remedies turn out to be centuries- old scientific potions that can turn people into birds, render children invisible, and perhaps even deflect nuclear war. A Chinese scientist, a Russian spy, a Bulgarian viscount, an orphan named Pip, and a crew of Norwegian sailors join the teens in their quest to save the world. Meloy's heady, fantastical universe is grounded everywhere in small, carefully observed truths: "[T]o be a kid," she writes, "is to be invisible and to listen, and to interpret things that aren't necessarily meant for you to hear — because how else do you find out about the world?"
Amy Benfer has worked as an editor and staff writer at Salon, Legal Affairs, and Paper magazine. Her reviews and features on books have appeared in Salon, The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review, The Believer, Kirkus Reviews, and The New York Times Book Review.Reviewer: Amy Benfer
Maile Meloy is the author of the story collection Half in Love, and the novels Liars and Saints, shortlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize, and A Family Daughter. Meloy’s stories have been published in The New Yorker, and she has received The Paris Review’s Aga Khan Prize for Fiction, the PEN/Malamud Award, the Rosenthal Foundation Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. In 2007, she was chosen as one of Granta’s Best American Novelists under 35. She lives in California.
First off, if you didn't know what an Apothecary is, it's another name for a Pharmacist or a person who prepares and sells medicine/drugs.
I was going to rate The Apothecary 3 1/2 stars in the beginning because the story drags on and is some what monotonous, but you get use to the writing style and towards the end it started to get really good. And the ending was just perfect.
Jane Scott, aka Janie which she prefers to be called, is a 14 year old who lives in Los Angeles with her parents. They soon secretively leave and move to London when Janie gets followed home from school by the government. The government believes that Jane's parents are communists, so they are placed on a list with other people who needs to be "watched."
On arriving to London, Janie dislikes everything from her new home, her new school, the uniform, and the "populars" of St. Beden's School. But soon all that changes when a simple Bomb Drill happens during lunch and a defiant boy who doesn't see the point to comply with hiding under the table catches her eye and draws her attention.
On her way home from school she hears the familiar voice of the boy and realizes that he is the Apothecary's son, Benjamin. Janie eavesdrops on their conversation and over hears their argument on how Benjamin does not want to take on the family business. Benjamin's decision gets put into question after his father gets kidnapped and the only one he can turn to is Janie.
Benjamin and Janie then go head on into a world of secrets, lies, danger, and things that you would never believe was possible, alchemy.
I enjoyed Janie so much because she is very mature for a fourteen year old. She's witty and smart and not at all needy, juvenile, or the damsel in distress. Maile Meloy did very well to make Janie relatable and a great narrator in the story.
Benjamin, the male protagonist, was really plain. That's not to say it was a bad thing. He was very refreshing to read because he didn't right off the bat fall "love at first sight" fancied Janie like most YAs produce. He was not so much as a bad boy persona but a driven and outspoken character. With all the trials and tribulations Benjamin and Janie went through, it left no room for a romantic relationship, however, there was room to blossom.
Pip is such a character!! I love him! Pip plays the sidekick roll to the two, but he brought such a critical roll that without him the story would lack luster. He is very distinct, cocky, and comical that he made the most nerve wrecking of times enjoyable and humorous.
I couldn't help but see The Apothecary side by side with The Chronicles of Narnia and The Golden Compass. The Apothecary is written whimsically and fairy tale like. A story I would love to be read to, and a story I will read to my son at bed time.
The ending had me in tears and ended in a good note, some what as a stand alone. I can only wish The Apothecary is the beginning of a series and that there will be more adventures with Benjamin and Janie with Pip at the tow.
Thank you Putnam Juvenile for this well liked ARC treat!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 2, 2012
This was an amazing book, i would highly recommend it. I really hope they make more!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2012
This is the best book on the planet!!!!!!! For people who like action and adventure!!!! Buy it it is great
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Janie Scott was seven-years-old when Japan surrendered and the evil forces were finally destroyed. Living in Los Angeles, California had always been fun for Janie. Her parents were much beloved writers' for television shows, and Janie enjoyed a life full of entertainment, friends, and fun. Nothing seemed negative in Janie's world until a black sedan began following Janie home from school. She was fourteen by then and was more than a little 'creeped out' by the men in dark suits with sunglasses who seemed to be watching her every move. Very soon, her parents told her that they were on their way to London; not to pack anything, because they had to get out of the U.S. as quickly as possible. It turns out her parents have been placed on some kind of 'list.' When Janie arrives at her new home she is completely confused. She went from a nice house to a small, desolate flat; from looking out her window at the sunshine of California to starring at the bomb-addled streets of London that have not been mended since the Germans had hit full-force. Janie finds herself in an odd world at school, as well. Going from her true, lifelong friends, to a cold castle called St. Beden's that focuses on Latin and other subjects Janie hasn't even begun to study is not easy. Some of the kids are a bit 'hoity-toity' while others are.unusually unique. Right down the road from Janie's new desolate home is the apothecary - where a wonderfully kind man whose son, Benjamin, is the 'unique' young man that Janie met at school. Benjamin is fun and wants to be a secret spy one day when he grows up. In fact, he is already in the midst of spying on people, which is what brings Janie and Benjamin into a dark world of secrets, lies, and spies. Benjamin's kind father is suddenly kidnapped, and Benjamin and Janie have only one way of helping him to return; they must figure out the text in a book called the Pharmacopoeia that has urgent information the Russian spies will kill for. This amazingly dangerous race becomes part treasure-hunt, part Indiana Jones, as Janie and Benjamin get locked inside a world of everything from Communists, to 'closer' people in their lives who seem to know far more than they are letting on to the tough, never-say-die teens. The locations are rich in detail, and the story is so thrilling that a reader will not be able to 'step away' from these amazing teens' adventure! And on another note, the illustrations accompanying the chapter headings are truly works of art. Quill Says: This is a true work of 'fantastic fiction,' that does the YA market proud. We need MORE of these stories!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.stella_sleeps
Posted March 28, 2012
This was a quick, enjoyable read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 24, 2012
I dont favor the ending of this book. It stops at an abrupt scene. Overall, I really liked this bok.
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Posted March 19, 2012
I love this book! The story is full of excitement,adventure,and of course magic. Also the characters are lovable and just the way you'd expect a 14 year old to be during 1952. After reading this you will love this book so much that 5 minutes after you finish it you'll read it again! If you don't read this you'll be missing out big time!
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Posted March 7, 2012
This book is AWSOME!!!!!!! I highly recomend it. Amazing illustrasions and a awsome stotyline, on the Food Network this would be on GOod Eats. Please READ this book
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Posted March 7, 2012
I LOVE this book. It is great for seven and up. :) my sister read it and LOVED it! She was thrilled. I loved it to. I bet he or she has more books that are amazing. If you like this book (if you read it) you you love it to!!!!!!!!!
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Posted February 25, 2012
This is the perfect blend of action and magic! This is by far a wonderful book! I highly recommend it for grades 3rd and up.
(even though anyone can read it,these grades could understand it better) ;)
Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2012
Nice fictional book. I would recomend this book.
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Posted January 26, 2012
This book is outstanding!!! I could never put it down. It always left me wondering what would happen next and all of Janies adventures.
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Posted December 29, 2011
The Apothecary was a pretty well-thought out book with different layers of elements. For a first-time young reader's novel, it was exceptionally well. I enjoyed the book and it had clear descriptions so I could really see the characters. I would reccommend this book to others!
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Posted December 6, 2011
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BookSake
Posted October 13, 2011
Who doesn't love a little alchemy in their stories? The Apothecary is fun adventure for both boys and girls. While the story is geared towards young readers (10 and up) there might be a bit of confusion about the story's basis. The storyline all happens because of politics, and involves talk of communism, Russian spies, atomic bombs, and war. Many middle grade readers won't know what's going on when it comes to these areas.
The fantasy portion, which involves the alchemy I mentioned previously, is perfect for the young reader and is a lot of fun. The two kids, Janie and Benjamin, are courageous and get to do lots of cool things kids will envy them for. The miss for this book is the fact that the fantasy seems young while the political storyline seems old and it doesn't work to its fullest ability for either age range. As an adult I found everything to be predictable and felt that there was not enough depth to the characters involved. The Advanced Reader's Copy that I read didn't have the complete artwork in it yet, but from the pages that did contain the illustrations - I thought they were great and added a good touch to the story.
ARC Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
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Posted October 17, 2011
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Posted May 7, 2012
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Posted March 21, 2012
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Posted January 27, 2012
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Overview
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 ...