Blue and Gold (2010) (edit title/settings)

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Liked It Rated 5 stars “The irreverent tone of the entire story brings the comic relief to his situation and the appeal this book. Spoken in the first person, the narrator warns you right away he is in no way to be trusted even though he may be telling you the story directly. So we have the unreliable narrator. The...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 5 stars

  “The irreverent tone of the entire story brings the comic relief to his situation and the appeal this book. Spoken in the first person, the narrator warns you right away he is in no way to be trusted even though he may be telling you the story directly. So we have the unreliable narrator. The funny thing is, though he is not to be trusted and the reader should look beyond just what he's saying, so many of his former “college chums” believe that he speaks the truth, especially about the death of his wife, which was an accident, of course it was! It was her own fault, she should not have drunk what an alchemist might brew.
  Having taken writing classes in school and in university I see how cleverly the writer uses his craft to build Saloninus's story, in fact, rewriting the alchemist's own history as we get to know him better, or perhaps, as the young alchemist comes to trust the reader better. He's employed by the prince to turn base metal into gold and will not relieve him until he accomplishes it. Whether it is possible is irrelevant. What I loved about the book was that there were so many other references to how in mundane life, our tasks may be the very same thing, turning a profit as an artist, say, from nothing but colors and figures on a page, one can earn their living. And how the elixir of eternal youth can be achieved through death, and if body preserved, forever youth can follow. So our young alchemist is quite a witty and wily fellow, and one of the cleverest people of his time, or so he keeps saying. Ultimately, gold that he makes is entirely of another sort, and all Saloninus's cleverest tricks keeps the reader amused and enlightened all the way to the end.”

  MaddyH wrote this review Thursday, April 19, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
  
  • Rated 5 stars

  “Loved it. Alchemy story with unreliable narrator. Also he does a lot of other stuff that isn't alchemy.”

  Mick R wrote this review Saturday, March 24, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
  
  • Rated 4 stars

  “As usual, liked this one. Strong character, twists and turns (this one mostly due to the unreliable narrator), and a satisfying ending. Good but not great. A bit less than what I've come to expect from Ms. Parker.
  
  See my full review at: http://elitistbookreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/blue-and-gold.html”

  WriterDan wrote this review Saturday, May 21, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No