The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

 The Lost Apothecary

by Sarah Penner

Overall Review: 5*
Let me begin by saying this book has one of the most beautiful covers.

A star in historical fiction
This is one of the most amazing reads since some time. Historical Fiction and full of surprising twists and turns, this book just reels you in and makes sure you stay with it. It has rekindled my love for historical fiction again after a long time. The basic premise of a secret apothecary and its research and find after a period of 200 years is intriguing. I can not find any fault in the story line nor can I find anything which needed to be changed or moved in this book anywhere.


Slow to start but holds well later: In the beginning of the book was different and I even felt bored in certain instances. However, after a time I felt I could not stop thinking about it. The transitions between the past and present were done very neatly. The characters were well thought of and each one of them played their role well. The apothecary which existed 200 years ago and helped women provide solutions to their issues with men. At the same time its mere discovery and research provides solace to a woman in the current century.

Lovely ending, hoping for a sequel:  I like the end also a lot. The fact that it does not say much but still says everything is something I am loving. As I am writing it, I just cant make myself to pick up another book. I just hope there is a sequence to this story and we get to read a lot more about the old London streets and the various secrets it holds.

"A man called Ove" by "Fredrik Backman"

 A man called Ove

by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 4*

Death of a loved one can change us to the extent that we are ready to forget the world and kill ourselves with the hope of being near the ones we loved.  This is a story of a man who lost his wife to something he had no control of.  That lack of control is something which he struggles through every day of his life.  He wants to kill himself but there are event happening in his neighborhood which stop him each and every time.  Slowly and gradually he realizes that life still has some meaning even though his partner is not with him.  

It was a slow read in the beginning but picks up pace towards the end.  It is entertaining and heart warming to see such little things in life getting noticed and appreciated.  There is something in this book which keeps you going back for more and more.  The first impression of Ove is that of a grumpy old man but as we go through the book, that perception changes.  One realizes that to be able to know a person, a mere quick study is not enough; you have to know the complete story.  Who Ove was and who he became in love and what changed when that love left him.  

I wish though the book could have been more interesting in the beginning.  I was about to abandon it since it seemed nothing but a rant from an old grumpy man.  However, I think that is the crux of the story.  That is how we view people in real life also.  Maybe this is a life lesson to give people opportunity and benefit of doubt before judging them.