The Alchemyst

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 7

Part 1, Chapters 8-16

Part 1, Chapter 17-Part 2, Chapter 29

Part 2, Chapters 30-41

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Background

Cultural Context: Mythology

In The Alchemyst, Michael Scott weaves mythological references into historical events. By setting real-life details against a fantastical backdrop, Scott blurs the line between fact and fiction and between fantasy and reality.

Throughout the book, mythologies from around the world are referenced through the presence of gods and magical beings. Such beings include: Bastet, the Egyptian Cat Goddess; Hekate, the Greek Goddess with Three Faces; Scathach, the Celtic warrior of legend; the Morrigan, the Irish Goddess of War; the Witch of Endor, from Hebrew mythology, etc. There are also mentions of creatures and artifacts such as Yggdrasill, the World Tree in Norse mythology; the legendary sword of Excalibur; and Golems, creatures from Jewish folklore.

To explain the presence of mythological beings in their reality, Flamel tells Josh and Sophie that “at the heart of every legend there is a grain of truth” (134). In the story, all those myths and legends are in fact stories about the Elder Race, distorted through time and human retellings. This plays on the theme of Truth Versus Fiction, which is highly significant to the twins’ character development, as well as an effective literary technique to engage the reader’s own critical skills. Just like the protagonists, the reader is encouraged to question the truth of Flamel’s claims. Additionally, Scott’s reinterpretation of well-known (and less well-known) myths creates intrigue and wonder, thus cementing the series’ place as a work of low fantasy—or fantasy set in the real world with unexpected elements.

Historical Context: Nicolas Flamel

The Alchemyst series’ titular character, Nicholas Flamel, was inspired by real-life scribe and manuscript seller Nicolas Flamel, who posthumously gained a reputation as a mysterious alchemist. Born in Paris around 1330, Nicolas Flamel married wealthy benefactress Perenelle Flamel in 1368. The couple were Catholic and became involved in philanthropy; they patronized several charitable causes, including hospitals and the development of churches. Nicolas Flamel likely died in 1418. Although it is unclear whether Flamel was involved in alchemy while he was alive, his life was well documented and led to fantastical conjectures after his death.

In the author’s note, Scott comments that Flamel did indeed buy a book called the Book of Abraham, which he described similarly to the Codex in The Alchemyst. Flamel then went on a journey around Europe with Perenelle, and returned extraordinarily wealthy:

The rumor quickly went around that he had discovered the two great secrets of alchemy in the Book of Abraham: how to create a philosopher’s stone, which changed ordinary metal into gold, and how to achieve immortality. Neither Nicholas nor Perenelle would ever confirm the rumors, and they never explained how they had become so rich. Although Nicholas and Perenelle continued to live quiet, unassuming lives, they gave a lot of their money to charity, and founded hospitals, churches and orphanages (374).

The details about Flamel’s life mentioned in The Alchemyst are based on documented facts, although the events that occurred after his recorded death are either fictional or fictionalized versions of historical events. Scott was inspired by Flamel’s rumored immortality as a figure of legend to create a character tasked with guarding an ancient artifact in a world where magic is real.