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    The Apothecary
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    The Apothecary
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    The Apothecary
    Audiobook7 hours

    The Apothecary

    Written by Maile Meloy

    Narrated by Cristin Milioti

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateOct 4, 2011
    ISBN9781101538333
    Unavailable
    The Apothecary
    Author

    Maile Meloy

    Maile Meloy is the author of the story collection Half in Love and the novel Liars and Saints, which was shortlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize. 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. She lives in California.

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    Reviews for The Apothecary

    4/5

    277 ratings65 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Originally posted here.

      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!
    • 4/5
      The Apothecary took me by surprise from the very first page. Masterfully crafted, beautifully illustrated, the book takes on an incredible journey with Janie and Benjamin, fourteen year old kids who become embroiled deadly plot involving espionage and the treat of atomic war in the Cold War. It is an unexpectedly delightful read, tackling serious issues such as family, war, loyalty and duty in a new and vivid context."My memories of what happened to me in 1952, when I moved to London from Los Angeles with my parents and met Benjamin Burrows for the first time aren't perfect, for reasons I'll explain in this book."Janie, our spunky protagonist is forced to move from Los Angeles to the alien London, where she meets the defiant Benjamin Burrows. They quickly become friends, and Janie learns that Benjamin is struggling to outgrow the expectations of his father, who is an apothecary. Benjamin doesn't want to spend his life making potions and dispensing cures, he wants to be a spy. I liked both Janie and Benjamin, they both ring true to me as confused teens who want to find their place in the world. One of my favourite things about these characters is that, as children, they weren't infallible. They recognised when they were in above their heads, and sought out help from adults around them. Although they are the stars of the story, they didn't have unrealistic powers of deduction or instantly figure out how to do things, which I really liked. They also learnt quickly from their mistakes, so that they became more independent over the course of the book.In the highly suspicious environment on London, Ben believes he has identified a spy for the Soviets, and he brings Janie along to one of his stake-out missions. This is the catalyst for their adventure, with Soviet spies, mysterious Germans and a league of alchemists coming to light. I think it's an interesting and brave decision to set the book right in this time period; the  rampant fear of atomic warfare, deep mistrust of Communism and constant vigilance the authorities make for a dark backdrop to this children's adventure. I really like how the author gently and simply put everything into context for readers, and was able to examine the biggest issues of that time period with delicacy, and without ever disrupting the riveting action of the story.I find the way that magic has been subtly infused into The Apothecary really clever - Benjamin's father the apothecary is also an alchemist, and he introduces Janie and Benjamin to a world where invisibility and shape changing are entirely possible. I enjoyed Benjamin's initial skepticism and scorn - of course matter has to be conserved, so how can people turn into birds without everyone being ostriches? I also love the author's way of dealing with it, translating scientific laws into something magical.The wonderful illustrations inside the book make it an absolute pleasure to read, and I love the attention to detail that has gone into it.A well-balanced tale of magic and sleuthing, The Apothecary will be enjoyed by a wide-ranging audience despite it's marketing as a children's book. I enjoyed the heart-racing plot and the believable characters, and am looking forward to reading the sequel, The Apprentices, soon.A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
    • 3/5
      This book has always had excellent reviews, but it never really appealed to me. I enjoyed the historical setting of the story, the illustrations at the start of each chapter and the adventures the protagonists faced, but I felt the magical aspect didn't really work and was quite unnecessary. Even though I liked Janie's narration, she was witty and intelligent, and she and Benjamin made a good team, I thought they were a bit bland at times. Janie was identified as being fourteen years of age, however, I can't imagine "The Apothecary" really appealing modern teens. Instead I think it would be better suited to upper primary school students. As for the ending, it was disappointing and an easy out for the author. Overall, ho hum.
    • 5/5
      I got an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher. This was an excellent book. It is based during the cold-war and touches on issues that were important then (Communism and the atomic bomb, Nationalism) as well as entwining magic throughout the story. Very well written and a pleasure to read, with beautiful black and white illustrations. I finished it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it.In the early 1950's Janie's parents are suspected of being sympathetic to Communism; as a result Janie and her family are forced to flee from America to London. In London Janie is miserable until she stumbles into Benjamin Burrows. Benjamin is the son of an apothecary and wants to be a spy; he ropes Janie into helping him spy in the park one day. Little do they know that there are very dangerous events afoot and Benjamin's father is part of them. Their innocent spying turns into a flight for their lives as they are drawn into a conflict that spans nations and involves a magical book called the Phramacopia.I loved this book because it just covered so many different things and made them into a wonderful cohesive and magical story. There is a lot in here about cold war politics, the atom bomb, international spies, and war in general; but there are also other issues covered like fitting in at a new school, the morality of war, idealism in science, and the responsibilities of those who wield great (magical and scientific) power.Janie is a wonderful character; she is realistic, resourceful, and very easy to relate too. I loved her parents; they treat her like the smart kid she is and are witty and funny. Benjamin was another fascinating character; his obsessions with international spies gets him into a ton of trouble, but he is a realistic character that is again easy to relate to. I loved following Janie and Benjamin through the story as they struggle to unravel the mystery and master the spells presented by the Pharmacopia.The story was presented in a very creative way; I love how it was presented as something Janie couldn't remember until she got her diary back to read through. There are many twists and turns throughout; yet the story is never hard to follow. At times though you are not sure who is bad and who is good and it is hard to predict how everything will turn out; which I loved.There was a lot of action and adventure; the story was fast-paced and hard to put down. I read the whole thing in one-sitting. The story wraps up nicely. Overall I thought this was an absolutely wonderful book. I loved all the different elements of history, science, and magic that were blended together to make this story. Janie and Benjamin are fun characters that are easy to relate too. The book is fast-paced and full of excellent plot twists. There is fun magic in the story too: invisibility potions, transformations into birds...lots of fun things to surprise and delight readers. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to people middle grade and older who love historical fantasy with some war politics woven throughout. A great read and I can't wait to see what Meloy writes next.
    • 4/5
      I love books that make magic believable-- and this book definitely did that. Fantasy books that I have read in the past are often modern, but this once took place during the red scare, which made for an interesting plot line.
    • 5/5
      It's 1952, and World War II has just ended. Typical 14-year-old Janie Scott has just moved from Los Angeles to London with her family. Soon Benjamin Burrows and Janie become good friends. One day they decide to go see the apothecary, Ben's father, and find him frantically putting things away. Before they know it, Janie and Ben are put in a shelter with what's supposed to be a very magical book, the Pharmacopoeia. Turns out the book has magical properties and can help stop bad things from happening around the world, and everyone seems to want to steal it. Throughout the entire book I was entertained. The author really described what the scenery was like from if there was fog or how cold the wind was that day. Also, I loved learning about some of the potions in the Pharmacopoeia because they just sounded incredible and magical to the point where I wanted to use them myself. Right from the start you get a pretty clear picture of what the characters look like and what their personalities are. Every twist and turn in the book made me excited and nervous, and when I got to the end of the book I was sad that it had ended. Overall, I would give The Apothecary 4 1/2 stars because although the scenery and characters were described really well, there were some not all that interesting parts towards the end.
    • 5/5
      this book rocks!
    • 3/5
      The Apothecary by Maile MeloyReviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews. 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. Together with Ian Schoenherr's breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover. (Synopsis provided by goodreads)I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I really liked the fact that it was set in a time which I have not read many books about that time. The historical fiction aspect was interesting and it could lead younger readers to do research on the Cold War era. Which is always a plus to get people doing research.)I enjoy stories with a "Spy" aspect and the fact that this one had kids playing spy was such fun! (This is a hard one to review without giving away anything)The characters seemed believable and I would love it if there are any more books about them in the future. Overall rating *** 3 out of 5 starsCover art I like it I really like the bottle But the birds freak me out.Obtained I got a copy from the publisher via Librarything. Thank you.
    • 2/5
      I read this as a family-read-aloud book to the little girl in my life. She really enjoyed it, but I did not.Most upsetting to me was the odd blend of history [post WWII/early Cold War Las Angeles and London] and magic. I strongly feel that the author should have chosen one or the other. Choosing both felt cheesy, and last my investment in the story.I loved the beginning, but I actually am more interested in hearing about Las Angeles in the '50s as opposed to London [the main location of the book].Also, at the end of the book, our protagonists memories are erased. Eventually, they start coming back, but to me, this was disappointing and made me feel as though it was all for nothing.
    • 4/5
      Not many authors of literary fiction take a turn at writing young adult novels. Maile Meloy's Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It was one of the best short story collections I've read (I haven't read either of her previous novels). Now she has written The Apothecary, an adventure novel about a trio of fourteen year-olds who fall into a magical world of an apothecary and the ancient art/science/magic of alchemy. It is very good, although falls short of outstanding.

      The most interesting aspect of the novel is its setting in postwar Britain in 1952, with a backdrop of a city still scared by bombs, suffering through rationing, and living in fear of a nuclear war. Although these themes are highlighted by the contrast with sunny California, where the narrator is from before following her blacklisted parents to London. It also does a good job capturing British public schools, a magical cockney boy named "Pip", and the world of fourteen year old children.

      The magic itself is somewhere between imaginatively magical and a somewhat annoying deus ex machina that always makes books like this suffer to some degree from a combination of the improbable and the inevitable. If anything, the parts before the magic starts to reveal itself are more interesting. The adventure too moves along quickly with a series of short chapters. But it too is somewhat hackneyed and not fully satisfying, but never boring.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this, not only for the fantasy aspect of this but the brief glimpses of post WWII and Cold War history. I would have been eager to pass it on to my 13 YO step-granddaughter except for a very short (two paragraphs) kissing scene.

      Now before you call me a prude, let me say that I am not and am for putting any and every book before a child. However, the few sentences were almost too sensual to have in a book that I feel comfortable giving to her. I get that kids are curious and ready to experiment, I just think that it could have been written more innocently.

      You decide.

      "His lips were warm and soft against mine, and the night air was cold. Shivers went down my spine from the place where his fingers were tangled in my hair and pressing against my skin."

      Or maybe I am just pissed off because my first kiss was nothing like that. :)
    • 5/5
      Wonderfully written story. Janie is a fanstastic character. Great to see that the Caudill's are getting to a higher reading level; the word choice of Meloy is absolutely fantastic! The book actually makes me think that I might enjoy Harry Potter!
    • 4/5
      Janie's family relocates to England after her parents refuse to testify about communism. Janie meets Benjamin, the Apothecary's son, at her new school. He longs to be a spy and as the two work together they stumble along a kidnapping scheme that reveals his father is something more than just a pill counter. Soon they are involved in trying to stop a plan to explode a new bomb and experimenting with alchemy and potions that make them invisibile and turn them into birds. This book is not what I expected. It's a action packed page turner with likable characters, magical science, and a bit of history.
    • 4/5
      The Apothecary is a wonderful mix of fantasy, historical fiction, adventure and a dash of romance. The year is 1952 and Janie Scott and her family have moved to London because they have been placed on the watch list by the US Government. Janie is heartbroken to be leaving California on such short notice and having to start at a new school and make new friends. When she arrives at school she meets Benjamin Burrows whose father runs the apothecary around the corner from Janie's new flat. At first Janie is unsure about Benjamin but they quickly become friends and set off on an adventure together. I enjoyed this book and though that it was quite well written. My only complaint is that the pace dragged just a bit in spots but overall the flow was good. I would recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre or anyone looking for a exciting adventure. I give this book 4 stars! I'm looking forward to the sequel.
    • 4/5
      The Apothecary is a great suspenseful book about magic and wonder. I'm starting to think what makes children's books is the sense of wonder. The imaginative sense of wonder factor is not usually a part of a lot of adult literature and I my middle school self was relived the feeling of reading about fantasy and wonder. Reading this book made me very nostalgic for these types of stories. Curricular connections; this book would be a great history prompt for lessons about the Cold War.
    • 3/5
      First in a series. Setting is London in 1952. I am not sure how much kids now will understand or relate to the historical setting. Kids will love the apothecary, the spells, the villains and the main characters, Janie and Benjamin. Lots of action. Well written.
    • 5/5
      This book is amazing. The writing is magical, and the story is wonderful. My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending.
    • 4/5
      Janie Scott and her parents move from LA to London to escape the people who have begun following the family. It's 1952, and Janie's scriptwriting parents might be Communists, so job offers to work in British television come at the right time. Janie hates being the new kid at school, but soon she's made friends with the son of the local apothecary, a boy who wants to be a spy and sees intrigue even in the local park. Soon Janie is involved in the Cold War, but she and her friends have a book that comes in very handy.
    • 5/5
      A delightful book full of imaginary but wonderful things. The lead character is Janie, a teenage character so the book would be great for young adults, but it's also fun to read as an adult.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book! I worry that student's won't have enough background knowledge to really understand the events transpiring in the world in the 1950's and the references to things like Katherine Hepburn and Oppenheimer, but the story is well written, the magic is worthy of Hogwarts, and the action is fast paced. I would highly recommend this book .
    • 3/5
      A thoroughly enjoyable YA book, with just enough romance, action and fantasy to entice the youngest of young adults.

      The characters are very likable and the plot, even though it involves kids turning into birds to get away from Russian spies intent on destroying the world, seems downright plausible.

      The story is fulfilling, the ending satisfying and I sincerely hope this is a series!

      Highly recommended for a fun, light read.
    • 5/5
      Can't believe I waited so long to read this. I love the mix of science fiction and fantasy and I love Pip, Janie and Benjamin.
    • 4/5
      The problem with a fantasy novel that does not, as mandated by genre, kill off the parents, is that the tedious issue of parents dealing with their young children's adventures (or the children's disbelief-suspending avoidance of discovery) must be addressed. While Meloy's resolution to this quandary is not the most satisfying, the magic she brings to a 1952 London in which alchemy is alive and well offsets that small annoyance. Janie and her family move from Los Angeles (where the McCarthy hearings are in full force) to London under a certain amount of duress. Janie meets Benjamin, the son of the apothecary, who confesses an infatuation with the mean girl at school and an ambition to become a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin team up with Pip, a local pickpocket, and Sergei, a fellow student, to protect the book with which the apothecary has entrusted his son. Without giving up too many plot points, I will say that I wasn't entirely satisfied with the level of involvement of either Pip or Sergei. While they play key roles, they seemed a bit neglected and shoved out of the way during the main plot (which involves using alchemy to avert a nuclear disaster).The setting of this novel was fantastic. In post-war London, shortages are still in effect, nuclear power is a major issue, and across the Atlantic, anti-Communist paranoia and unbelievable abridgments of First Amendment rights are affecting families. Alchemy is more science than magic, and the distillation of herbs into wonderful potions is great fun. The ending left me uncertain as to whether this book begins a series or not. If it does, the ending is pointlessly expositional, but if it does not, there are unanswered questions that make it deeply unsatisfying. I found the combination of alchemy with the historical setting highly readable, so I hope the first is the case. Although it has its flaws, THE APOTHECARY was an enjoyable read.Source disclosure: I received this book compliments of the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
    • 4/5
      The problem with a fantasy novel that does not, as mandated by genre, kill off the parents, is that the tedious issue of parents dealing with their young children's adventures (or the children's disbelief-suspending avoidance of discovery) must be addressed. While Meloy's resolution to this quandary is not the most satisfying, the magic she brings to a 1952 London in which alchemy is alive and well offsets that small annoyance. Janie and her family move from Los Angeles (where the McCarthy hearings are in full force) to London under a certain amount of duress. Janie meets Benjamin, the son of the apothecary, who confesses an infatuation with the mean girl at school and an ambition to become a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin team up with Pip, a local pickpocket, and Sergei, a fellow student, to protect the book with which the apothecary has entrusted his son. Without giving up too many plot points, I will say that I wasn't entirely satisfied with the level of involvement of either Pip or Sergei. While they play key roles, they seemed a bit neglected and shoved out of the way during the main plot (which involves using alchemy to avert a nuclear disaster).The setting of this novel was fantastic. In post-war London, shortages are still in effect, nuclear power is a major issue, and across the Atlantic, anti-Communist paranoia and unbelievable abridgments of First Amendment rights are affecting families. Alchemy is more science than magic, and the distillation of herbs into wonderful potions is great fun. The ending left me uncertain as to whether this book begins a series or not. If it does, the ending is pointlessly expositional, but if it does not, there are unanswered questions that make it deeply unsatisfying. I found the combination of alchemy with the historical setting highly readable, so I hope the first is the case. Although it has its flaws, THE APOTHECARY was an enjoyable read.Source disclosure: I received this book compliments of the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
    • 4/5
      YA. 1952. The Scott’s are forced to leave Hollywood because of the Red Scare. Janie meets Benjamin after his father is kidnapped and they are plunged into the Cold War. They are trying to control an atomic bomb test. It is a true test of an Apothecary’s powers. Good characters, good premise, good pacing.
    • 5/5
      What an awesome fantasy/adventure/espionage book! It's a book where in one chapter, three naked invisible teenagers sneak into a secret bunker under London to rescue a Chinese alchemist being held prisoner by a British secret agent who is acutally a double-agent working for the Soviet Union. And that's just one chapter.Lots of adventure, a good dose of magic (but magic soundly grounded in the rules of "alchemy," not the anything-can-happen-because-magic type of magic.) Janie is an American girl, 14, taken in the 1950s from her home in California when her parents get work in London. Almost immediately, she becomes deeply involved with a peculiar apothecary, who holds secrets unimaginable! When the apothecary is kidnapped, Janie, the apothecary's son, Benjamin, and soon a likable pickpocket named Pip, all begin searching for the missing man, and using the occasional alchemical formulas to turn invisible, or turn into birds in the course of the hunt. It's like a cross between the Harry Potter series and "Smila's Sense of Snow."I can't wait to read the other two books in the trilogy.
    • 5/5
      This book is amazing. The writing is magical, and the story is wonderful. My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending.
    • 5/5
      The year is 1952. 14-year-old Janie Scott and her parents must relocate to London England from Los Angeles when her parents are suspected of being Communist sympathizers. Once in London, Janie befriends Benjamin, the son of a mysterious apothecary who is being hunted down by Russian and German terrorists wanting to stop him from foiling their plans to create a powerful bomb. The catch... the Benjamin's father is not an ordinary apothecary. He possesses an ancient book of potions which have magical properties. A fantastic read complete with adventure, intrigue, suspense, magic, and mystery. Highly recommended. Can't wait to follow more of Janie's fantastical exploits.
    • 5/5
      One of those stories that blurs the line between genres, a bit of history, adventure, mystery and fantasy with great characters and fun plot twists. One of the best of the year.
    • 3/5
      I thought I was reading an MSBA book. Ooops. Anyway, quite good tale that covers some of the political feelings in the early 1950s with some fantastical elements thrown in.