The Alkahest

The Alkahest is a novel written by the acclaimed French author Honore De Balzac. The story revolves around the character of Balthazar Claes, a wealthy Dutch chemist who becomes obsessed with discovering the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance that is said to have the power to turn base metals into gold and to confer eternal youth and life to those who possess it. Claes' pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone leads him to neglect his family and his business, and to squander his fortune on alchemical experiments. His wife, Marguerite, and his children, Gabriel and Felicie, suffer the consequences of his obsession, as they are forced to live in poverty and to witness the decline of their once happy family. The novel explores themes of ambition, greed, love, and sacrifice, as the characters struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in their lives. It also delves into the mystical and esoteric world of alchemy, and the metaphysical quest for immortality and spiritual enlightenment. With its vivid descriptions, complex characters, and philosophical musings, The Alkahest is a classic work of literature that continues to captivate readers today.""'From this unimpeachable experiment, ' he cried, 'I deduce the existence of the Alkahest, the Absolute, --a substance common to all created things, differentiated by one primary force. Such is the net meaning and position of the problem of the Absolute, which appears to me to be solvable. In it we find the mysterious Ternary, before whose shrine humanity has knelt from the dawn of ages.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.