Apothecary Audiobook By Peter Cawdron cover art

Apothecary

First Contact, Standalone

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Apothecary

By: Peter Cawdron
Narrated by: Nick Cracknell
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About this listen

In 1558, during the reign of Bloody Queen Mary, Earth is visited by extraterrestrials who initiate first contact.

Their mission is to gather samples of life on Earth and observe but not interact with humanity. After witnessing a brutal execution, their patience is tested beyond breaking point...

First Contact is a series of standalone novels that explore humanity's first interaction with extraterrestrial life.

Includes a special note from the author.

©2023 Peter Cawdron (P)2023 Podium Audio
First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Fiction
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What listeners say about Apothecary

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Great and relevant story

This is a great story with a lot of important messages.
The key message being the importance of science and the support of curiosity and the seeking of knowledge over ignorance and the acceptance of unsubstantiated rationalization.
The narration was great.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A very enjoyable story

A great tale and some very important lessons for everyone to hear. Thank you for the insightful perspectives.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Story starts strong then fizzles out

I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book. It was engaging and fun, and I really cared about the characters.

The last third, when the main character returns to modern-day London, isn't terrible either. The scenario it paints is believable, and I was genuinely dismayed and couldn't stop reading as the story went on, all leading to a finale where the character has a world audience and delivers his message to humanity...

...which turns out to be a tedious pablum, neither original nor memorable. Something about how the fact that we don't understand how toilets work (except, most of us do?) and don't understand how cell phones work (well, I do anyway...) means that we aren't morally equipped for intergalactic travel because... well, just because.

It's not particularly unbelievable that a random person who has undergone an extraordinary experience might not be capable of explaining it under pressure in an interesting way... but it is pretty unbelievable that a hundred thousand people would apparently listen to such boring nonsense with rapt attention.

The historicity is pretty poor. The reign of Bloody Mary was... bloody, but even so, the idea that a fanatical bishop would pick out a random youth from the crowd and attempt to execute him by burning... based on a vague facial expression seen from a distance... without provoking a riot... it's a heck of a stretch.

The author also glossed over the immense language and cultural differences that an early-modern Londoner would experience if suddenly arriving in the modern world; I understand that this was necessary to allow the story to happen at all, but it grates pretty badly at times.

I kind of wish this story had stayed out of the modern era. The 16th century story was by far the best part, and many loose ends were left behind.

Having said all of this, I'm still giving this book four stars, because it really is worth reading. It's intriguing and compelling... right up until the story finally grinds to a whimpering halt a few pages too early.

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Thank you!

Thank you for a very entertaining story, giving me many good laughs. We built this civilization from scientific discoveries and a belief in the future of humanity. I wish more politicians and leaders would trade their fear for losing power to a leadership based on curiosity, facts and history. I love books about first contact but this one is something much more than just that. It’s an arrow shot through our populistic society.
Greetings from Sweden.

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Peter Cawdron’s novels are excellent despite my rating

I gave 3-stars to the story metric because Peter Cawdron’s use of a Renaissance Englishman’s perspective failed to engage me because it’s just too different from my modern perspective, though I applaud Mr. Cawdron for attempting this challenging plot line. For contrast, I was engaged by the employment of a mid 20th century person’s perspective at being thrust into the 1740s in “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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outstanding !

An excellent example how science fiction is about the present time NOT the future. the author speaks elliqently about the challenges and opportunities we face.

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