Name: The Alchemist
Rating: 3 (3 reviews)
ISBN: 9783962721589

H. P. Lovecraft

The story brought feelings of King Arthur. H. P. Lovecraft gives vivid descriptions for setting, creating a medieval presence complete with Merlinian Magik and ancient warriors. An Alchemist who has worked to find the Elixer of Life becomes victim when his father dies at the hands of the narrators ancestors (or a couple hundred years worth). The supposed Alchemist puts a curse on the family, that every male heir will die at 32. It unfolds true, and now our narrator seeks knowledge in Black Magic books and the vaults of an ancient castle for answers and a cure. He finds an answer with a highly dramatic climax! (Goodreads)

The Alchemist

H.P. Lovecraft

The story is recounted by the protagonist, Count Antoine de C, in the first person. Hundreds of years ago, Antoine's noble ancestor was responsible for the death of a dark wizard, Michel Mauvais. The wizard's son, Charles le Sorcier, swore revenge on not only him but all his descendants, cursing them to die on reaching the age of 32. The protagonist recounts how his ancestors all died in some mysterious way around the age of 32. The line has dwindled and the castle has been left to fall into disrepair, tower by tower. Finally, Antoine is the only one left, with one poor servant, Pierre, who raised him, and a tiny section of the castle with a single tower is still usable. Antoine has reached adulthood, and his 32nd year is approaching. His servant eventually dies, leaving him completely alone, and he begins exploring the ruined parts of the castle. He finds a trapdoor in one of the oldest parts. Below, he discovers a passage with a locked door at the end. Just as he turns to leave, he hears a noise behind him and sees that the door is open and someone is standing in it. The man attempts to kill him but Antoine kills him first. His dying words reveal that he is none other than Charles, who actually managed to successfully fabricate the elixir of life, enabling him to personally fulfill the curse generation after generation.

H.P. Lovecraft Collection

Tim Pendry

<br />One of Lovecraft's weakest stories but then he was only 17 or 18 and it was his first. The basic story line is fairly trite (which we will not repeat for the sake of spoilers although it is barely worth the effort). However, Lovecraft is good at absorbing Gothick memes and replaying them effectively.<br /><br />In other words the story is worth reading for its 'atmosphere' as an antiquarian throw-back to the world of 'The Castle of Otranto' or of Ann Radcliffe over a century before. Lovecraft was always then and to be an antiquarian whose happiness lay in past forms and habits.

Lovecraft's first published short, written in 1908 when Lovecraft for 17 or 18 and published in the November 1916 issue of United Amateur

The story is recounted by the protagonist, Count Antoine de C, in the first person. Hundreds of years ago, Antoine's noble ancestor was responsible for the death of a dark wizard, Michel Mauvais. The wizard's son, Charles le Sorcier, swore revenge on not only him but all his descendants, cursing them to die on reaching the age of 32.

The protagonist recounts how his ancestors all died in some mysterious way around the age of 32. The line has dwindled and the castle has been left to fall into disrepair, tower by tower. Finally, Antoine is the only one left, with one poor servant, Pierre, who raised him, and a tiny section of the castle with a single tower is still usable. Antoine has reached adulthood, and his 32nd year is approaching.

Nica

Zoul

Telescopic Johnson

Elle

H. P. Lovecraft was one of the greatest horror writers of all time. His seminal work appeared in the pages of legendary Weird Tales and has influenced countless writer of the macabre. This is one of those stories.

The Alchemist

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