The Apothecaries' Garden: A New History of the Chelsea Physic Garden

by Sue Minter

Founded in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries, the Chelsea Physic Garden led the world for over 300 years in the research and classification of new plants. Sue Minter examines its history and many notable achievements.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Gardening, London, Horticulture

210 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Moth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really tried to finish The Apothecaries’ Garden but after weeks of trying to get through the last 100 pages or so, I’ve ultimately given up. The problem with The Apothecaries’ Garden is that it reads like a wikipedia article. The information is just rolled off piece by piece and it lacks a passion behind it. Non-fiction books can be incredibly interesting and even when the author is not involved personally in the topic, you can read the passion between the words, but here it seems as if the author is writing this book out of necessity, not out of want.

The way the book has been written is also very confusing. It tries to be chronological, in fact the chapters are set up in a chronological fashion from the origins of the Chelsea Physic Garden to modern day, but the author often goes on tangents through time. They start by discussing one moment or person who was relevant during that particular time period, but then skips to fifty years in the future, then to their upbringing, then to the aftermath of their death, and then suddenly back to the time that was originally being discussed in the chapter. It is confusing and lacks a set direction.

From a botanical sense, the book was also confusing. The author discusses the debate of binomial species naming and spends a decent section on Linnaeus’ impact, but then never states any of the species name origins. I am left clueless if these are the original Linnaeus names, the modern names or names that predate Linnaeus. Furthermore, common names are rarely used and it really breaks the reading experience by having to google plant names and work out what the author is referring to. It would take years and years of botanical experience to know the hundreds of plants the author refers to by species name alone.

I was so hopeful for this book since I adore botany and history, so from the blurb I felt that I would enjoy it but I really couldn’t. It felt disinterested, rushed, and seemed to lack refinement. Maybe I’ll return to it at a later date to see if I can finish it, but right now it’s just too much of an effort to read and I don’t think a book read for pleasure should feel like a chore to finish.

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a history of the Chelsea Physick Garden it’s land, it’s benefactors, it’s gardeners, and the River.
As such the plants are our history and not a feature in this book.
History of any subject you enjoy is important, this is a too enjoyable history of personality’s who ensured the Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the medicinal masterpiece’s maintaining our world.
Brilliant listen / read, thank you Sue Minter, much appreciated :-)

[Madeline · Rating 1 out of 5]

There’s great info in here and it had the potential to be pretty riveting—the history is fascinating. That said, I can’t stand the way it’s written.

First, it’s extremely dry, comprised of a s ceaseless rattling-off of the history of the garden, including all related transactions, the financing of the garden, etc. I also really struggled to push through after the author attributed purchase money to “the wealth of Jamaica.” Can we please just call it what it is—blood money from slavery and colonialism writ large?

[Madly Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book on Chelsea Physic Garden. This is a place I want to visit.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of the Chelsea Physic Garden, which is also worth a visit in the spring/summer if you're kicking your heels in London.