The Alkahest: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Alkahest: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Alkahest is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850). The listed translation credits are Wormeley, Katharine Prescott (1830–1908).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Alkahest" by Honoré de Balzac is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story delves into themes of obsession, the pursuit of knowledge, and the impact of one's ambitions on family life, centered around the lives of Balthazar Claes and his wife, Josephine. It explores Claes' relentless quest for the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical substance said to turn base metals into gold, which consumes him and gradually creates strife within his household. At the start of the narrative, the reader is introduced to the House of Claes in Douai, a residence infused with rich Flemish history. The opening elaborates on the architectural significance of the house and the Claes family's esteemed past, weaving in a poignant portrait of their lives. As Balthazar becomes increasingly absorbed in his scientific endeavors, neglecting his family and responsibilities, his wife Josephine grapples with feelings of despair and concern for her children’s future. Their once-happy marriage begins to fray as Balthazar's obsession leads them down a path of potential ruin, establishing a dichotomy between ambition and familial duty that pervades the novel.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Alkahest
- Author credits: Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Wormeley, Katharine Prescott (1830–1908)
Catalogue subjects
- French fiction -- Translations into English
- Philosophical anthropology -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: French Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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