Book Review: Alchemy and Meggy Swann

Module 5

1. BILBIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann. New York: Clarion Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0-547-23184-6

2. PLOT SUMMARY

When Meggy Swann’s father requests that she come live with him, she unwilling travels to London to do so. Upon her arrival, her father the alchemist discovers that he has a crippled daughter, and not a son that can help him with his business. Meggy is mostly left to fend for herself until she can prove herself valuable to the alchemist and form friendships with those who are willing to see beyond her disabilities.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Unfortunately for Meggy Swann, she finds herself in a time and place where people are prejudiced against the disabled. In 1851, London is full of individuals who automatically assume that those who are deformed or ill are demon possessed. Medicine had not evolved to the point to where her bilateral hip dysplasia could be diagnosed or understood. Meggy constantly suffers with loneliness, embarrassment, and grief as she is continually shunned, feared, and taunted for her disability. She is wanted by neither parent, and finds herself in a dark place when she arrives at her father’s alchemy shop all alone, save her only friend, a goose named Louise. With nowhere else to go, Meggy became determined to make herself useful to her father in his attempt to turn metal into gold and develop the elixir of life. Upon her involvement, she learns of a murderous plot, and must decide between doing the right thing and saving an innocent man, or protecting her father. Readers become aware of Meggy’s transformation as she begins to consider other before herself, realize that there are those who would overlook her disability and befriend her, and find that her father truly cares about her. Even though she never thought she would be able to, Meggy finds herself dancing along with the approval of her friends. She is no longer bound by her crooked legs.

Cushman uses many odd and foreign sounding words and phrases in her story. Intended to create a sense of familiarity and distance, words such as “kirtle” and “gallimaufry” are taken directly from the English language during the Elizabethan time while phrases such as “ye toads and vipers” are combinations created by Cushman intended to create a sense of the past.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Starred Review – 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.”

*Starred Review – Kirkus Reviews: “Cushman has the uncanny ability to take a time and place so remote and make it live.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Meet the Author: Invite Karen Cushman to visit your school and discuss her experiences as an author with the students. Cushman suggests that you contact Kate Greene at Clarion Books, at kate.greene@hmhpub.com or 212-420-5857.

*In order to warn the Baron, Meggy writes and sings a ballad. Have the students create their own ballad, choosing to either sing or read it to the class.

*Read other historical fiction books that take place in England by Karen Cushman.

     -Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 978-0064405843

     -Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. ISBN 978-0064406307