"Powerful morality tale"
In 1582, Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley communicate with
angels that the latter exclusively sees in the ball of
crystal. Though John thought he speaks with God or those
close to God, a demon intercepts his thirst for knowledge
of God's great plan by threatening John's family especially
by possessing little Katherine. John accompanied by his
family seeks help in Prague where King Rudolf of the Holy
Roman Empire has summoned all the mystics for the mad ruler
wants to kill one of the thirty six Righteous Men so that
the world is remade in His Highness' image. In Prague, John meets mystic Rabbi Judah Loew. They join
forces to create the Golem to keep the "Thirty-Six" safe
for if one of these Righteous Men is slain, legend says the
world ends. Controlling the Golom is no easy matter either
and then there is the question of what to do with the
tempting but forbidden fruit of an ALCHEMIST'S DOOR opened
between humanity and the other side. The prime theme of THE ALCHEMIST'S DOOR is a powerful
morality tale focusing on the pride of power leading to
excesses and abuses. The story line is at its strongest
when the reader follows a historical ethics trail. The
occasional well-written sidebars provide insight into
Elizabethan era Prague, but also abate the puissant primary
plot. Still this fantasy novel is a strong book that uses
real sixtieth century persona to entertain while warning
the audience on the corruption of power that seems so
timely. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 21, 2002
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