A review by thecriticalreader
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I chose The Lost Apothecary as my March 2021 Book of the Month because I’m a history nerd (and the cover looked gorgeous).
 
 
Plot:
There are two plots in The Lost Apothecary: one follows Eliza and Nella in 1791, and the other follows Caroline Parcewell in the present-day. Both plots began with a slow start, but they surprised me towards the middle of the book as I became hooked on the mystery. Unfortunately, the resolution was too quick and mawkish for my taste. If Penner was willing to make bold narrative choices, this book might have been excellent. 
 
Characters:
The characters in The Lost Apothecary are fine—if a bit boring. Penner successfully captures the voices of an aged apothecary, a curious twelve-year-old, and a modern-day woman. However, this book was definitely more plot-driven than character-driven.
 
Setting:
As a history major, I am a stickler when it comes to historical fiction settings. Penner did well with the 1791 London setting; there are no glaring anachronisms. Features such as language, technology, and cultural superstitions add to the novel’s historical accuracy. The Lost Apothecary does not “make history come alive,” so to speak, but it serves its purpose adequately.
 
Themes:
The Lost Apothecary explores themes of love, loyalty, and guilt. Throughout most of the book, Penner addresses these themes in a nuanced and intriguing manner. The ending, however, largely shuns nuance in favor of a neat, happy ending. 
 
Writing Style:
Penner is good at adding just the right amount of detail to her mystery to make it seem mostly realistic. There were not any times where I was pulled out of the story because of a glaring plot-hole. Overall, the writing style nothing special, but it serves the story.
 
Conclusion:
I would recommend this novel to people who will identify with its main character: that is, mostly straight white women who dream of having a family but still hold to mainstream feminism principles. This book is not a bad read, but it fails to excel in a way that would make it appealing to a large variety of readers. 
 
 
Other Points
·      THE BOOK COVER IS GORGEOUS. The Lost Apothecary is, without a doubt, the prettiest book I’ve ever owned. The lush colors, title, and cover drawing are incredible. Almost worth the buy just for the aesthetics.
·     
At the end of the book, Caroline decides to leave her cheating husband and chase her dreams of becoming an academic. That’s great and all, but Penner handles it in a highly unrealistic way. Caroline applies to a master’s program in Cambridge in two days. As someone looking at graduate schools, there is NO WAY someone could create an acceptable application to a graduate program in that short of time, especially someone who is vacationing abroad. Where did Caroline get her transcript? Who wrote her letters of recommendation? Did she bust out a research proposal and work sample in two days? Additionally, Caroline just assumes that the program will accept her. I’m not saying that she won’t be accepted, but one does not apply to a graduate program and assume acceptance.
·      If you are struggling with infertility or a partner’s infidelity, don’t read this book until you have worked through these things. I found the descriptions of infidelity deeply distressing, and I haven’t ever been in a situation like that. 
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