1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann. Recorded by
Katherine Kellgren. [Audiobook].New York: Listening Library, 2010. ISBN 030771022X.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Margaret Swann’s life has been
anything but easy. With the death of her
beloved gran and her waddle, her mother has jumped at the chance to cart Meggy
off to her father in London at his summons.
But when she arrives as his door, he doesn’t want her either! Trying to
navigate her father, the alchemist’s, mood; her only friend, a goose named
Louise; the jovial nature of the former apprentice, Roger; and London’s streets
on her walking sticks is going to be quite a dance! When Meggy learns that there’s a plot to
poison a nobleman, she must decide between doing what is easy, and doing what
she knows is right.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Books like these were often my
favorites growing up. I enjoyed learning
about the history of everyday people in a time period from the people (even
make-believe) themselves, and I was excited to come across this author again
after reading some of her books so many years ago. However, Meggy’s personality early on in the
book nearly had me finding another book to read. While the time and people seem very
accurately portrayed, it is very hard early on to find Margaret Swann very
likeable at all. She’s mulish and
seemingly spoiled, even though she mentions she’s had a hard life and hasn’t
been given much. The descriptions of her
dark room are very believable, but the streets and goings on outside her doors
seem glossed over. We want Meggy to reconcile
with her father, but it’s very clear, that like Meggy, his attitude and
development are well out of our hands.
Meggy’s growth and use of her strength to adapt to her surroundings and
create a better life for herself are laudable, but even with his slightly
altruistic gesture at the end, her father’s are too-little too-late. That’s not to say this book doesn’t have its
high points. The songs Meggy sings are beautiful and gorgeously reproduced by
Katherine Kellgren’s reading. Her accents and voice for Meggy feel true to the words and time period. The former
apprentice Roger and the cast of actors and friends are lively and bring a sense of
color to the piece. Even Meggy’s schemes
to stop the poison plot are entertaining and keep you right with her, hoping
that she can prevail in the end. The
voices of the characters are slightly marred by heavy accenting that comes off
as stereotypical - especially Meggy’s “ye toads and vipers,” but overall, it
feels realistic and provides a quick read and even quicker insight into the
poorer neighborhoods of the Elizabethan era.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOKS OF 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF
ENGLISH NOTABLE BOOK 2011
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS
OF 2010
From
BOOKLIST – “Writing with admirable economy and a lively ability to re-create the
past believably, Cushman creates a memorable portrayal of a troubled, rather
mulish girl who begins to use her strong will in positive ways.”
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “Katherine
Kellgren's lively reading of Karen Cushman's novel (Clarion, 2010) is flawless,
capturing Meggy's feisty temperament in the period language. Her narration of a
wide-range of accents if excellent, and she does a wonderful job singing the
ballads that Meggy composes and sings.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Gather other books about
overcoming obstacles and coming of age:
• Clarke, Mary Stetson. THE IRON PEACOCK. ISBN 1887840672.
• Hesse, Karen. STOWAWAY.
ISBN 0439305357.
Gather other Karen Cushman
historical fiction books to read such as:
• CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0547722184.
• THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. ISBN 0547722176.
• WILL SPARROW’S ROAD. ISBN 0547739621.
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