The Pharmacist

This was a book that really kept me interested. Set in a bunker the characters were all really well-written and you really get a feel of the claustrophobia of living in such a limited space and all the restrictions it entails. Highly recommended.

This book has shades of 1984 and Lord of The Flies. Also reminiscent of video games like Fallout and Bioshock, the atmosphere is so vivid. It immediately drew me into the world, so much so that I had dreams about being in the bunker - so Rachelle Atalla must be doing something right.
The story follows, Sarah, the titular pharmacist spends her days giving out anti-depressants to those living in the bunker, survivors of an unnamed apocalyptic event. When she catches the eye of the mysterious leader of the bunker, her world begins to disintegrate as she is forced to come to terms with just what she will do to survive.
I couldn't put the book down. I was left many questions which I loved. I have found my mind wandering back to the world since I finished the book, questioning what happened to this world, and how the leader rose to their position. It is definitely a book I will read again and one I will recommend to friends. An absolute must for fans of the books and video games I mentioned.

Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me read this book.

The book opens with a really shocking scene, described with incredible acceptance by Wolfe, the pharmacist of the title.

Wolfe is part of a community led by a charismatic but problematic leader, living in a bunker below ground because of what we assume is nuclear war. The community is struggling, living on liquid food pouches, dispirited, unhealthy. As a pharmacist, Wolfe administers everyone's medication - which means she knows everyone's health secrets.

Wolfe herself builds alliances - wih Dr Stirling, with the mysterious Canavan, and with Levitt - and comes to the attention of the leader.

In many ways, this is a lockdown novel. The claustrophobia, the frustration, the attempts to find something meaningful in a narrow life - we all experienced some of this during lockdown. Many of us are still experiencing it. This gave the book added poignancy for me.

This is also a book about choices, about the things we will do to protect ourselves and those we care about.

I found this a gripping read. It left me with lots of questions. It's going to stay with me for a long time.

Gripping!
I love a post-apocalyptic read and this did not disappoint. The idea of living in an underground bunker with no privacy and little joys is one that distills proper fear in me! Atalla writes with such nuance that it felt claustrophobic and tense and the sense of foreboding was present throughout the whole book!

I wasn't always routing for Wolfe, but I understood her actions. And there were great side characters, particularly the Mrs Foer and Levitt. There was also a glimmer of hope running throughout the book, which was needed, though no spoilers here!!

Recommended, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.