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A review by wai
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I was really excited for this book when I saw it listed as an option for Book of the Month as the summary was really compelling. Unfortunately that wasn't true of the novel. I did finish it since it was relatively short and easy to read, and it wasn't the worst book I've ever read. But it just felt so shallow. Primarily I felt like things were far too easy for the main character Caroline regarding figuring things out about some random apothecary from the 1700s. I know it was implied at the end that this was because of ~magic~ it really didn't come off like that, it came off as if the main character was a Mary Sue to the point of total disbelief. Although I guess if you read it as like "look how easy it is for a mediocre white woman to be lauded" critique of white liberal feminism, which this book feels very steeped in.
Secondarily I just felt like there was such inconsistency with how the child character Eliza was written. She was 12 but the voice felt very similar to how the older apothecary Nella was written, making her sound much older than that. I could forgive just that, but it's almost like the author knew this and tried to backtrack it by having her not know random things. She had no idea about menstruation, despite having grown up on a farm tending to the animals ????? I find it hard to believe she had never been told that or heard about it in other contexts - yes there was prudishness during this era but it was still discussed particularly between mothers and daughters. It just felt not very well thought out to me.
I wish this was just a historical fiction about Nella and the young girl Eliza. Caroline bored me so much, and I couldn't find her relatable at all. I found myself thinking "thank god I am not cisgender or heterosexual" so many times during her sections. Boring, miserable "I gave up everything for my husband who clearly hates me and still cheated on me" like I feel so harsh but it's true. I hate that kind of stereotype of cishet relationships and I refuse to live like that.
Anyways it was just a mediocre book, I do not recommend it.
Secondarily I just felt like there was such inconsistency with how the child character Eliza was written. She was 12 but the voice felt very similar to how the older apothecary Nella was written, making her sound much older than that. I could forgive just that, but it's almost like the author knew this and tried to backtrack it by having her not know random things. She had no idea about menstruation, despite having grown up on a farm tending to the animals ????? I find it hard to believe she had never been told that or heard about it in other contexts - yes there was prudishness during this era but it was still discussed particularly between mothers and daughters. It just felt not very well thought out to me.
I wish this was just a historical fiction about Nella and the young girl Eliza. Caroline bored me so much, and I couldn't find her relatable at all. I found myself thinking "thank god I am not cisgender or heterosexual" so many times during her sections. Boring, miserable "I gave up everything for my husband who clearly hates me and still cheated on me" like I feel so harsh but it's true. I hate that kind of stereotype of cishet relationships and I refuse to live like that.
Anyways it was just a mediocre book, I do not recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Murder, Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Incest