McCullough, Joy. Everything Is Poison. Dutton, 01/2025. 304pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-85587-4. GRADES 9–12. OUTSTANDING.
An exploration of the morality of using poison as a defensive weapon for desperate women is a premise that demands an author like Joy McCullough, whose feminist perspectives are strong and studied, and whose historical research is impeccable. Protagonist Carmela Tofana’s sixteenth birthday brings both a long-desired initiation into the family apothecary business along with a realization that some knowledge comes at a high price. Set in seventeenth century Rome, the novel uses historical events and research as a jumping off point to explore coming of age, the constraint of women in traditional roles, and the strength of female alliances. While there are a few inconsistencies in the history, the relationships between the characters are strongly depicted and the challenges they face very real.
Lesley Mandros Bell—Independent