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22nd out of 36 books
—
40 voters
The Alchemist
Magic has a price. But someone else will pay.
Every time a spell is cast, a bit of bramble sprouts, sending up tangling vines, bloody thorns, and threatening a poisonous sleep. It sprouts in tilled fields and in neighbors' roof beams, thrusts up from between street cobbles, and bursts forth from sacks of powdered spice. A bit of magic, and bramble follows. A little at firs...more
Every time a spell is cast, a bit of bramble sprouts, sending up tangling vines, bloody thorns, and threatening a poisonous sleep. It sprouts in tilled fields and in neighbors' roof beams, thrusts up from between street cobbles, and bursts forth from sacks of powdered spice. A bit of magic, and bramble follows. A little at firs...more
Hardcover, Deluxe Trade Edition, 95 pages
Published
January 31st 2011
by Subterranean Press
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Chances are good that you checked this book out of the library accidentally, and you actually wanted The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I mean, it is understandable: slim novellas of the same name by two dudes with similar Italian-sounding names (Paolo/Paulo! What are the odds?). Count yourself lucky -- you got the good one. The other one is full of bullshit, no matter what that lady at work keeps telling you.
Paolo Bacigalupi loves to remind you how much people suck. Indeed, that could have been the...more
Paolo Bacigalupi loves to remind you how much people suck. Indeed, that could have been the...more
Okay, that's it, I'm offically a fan-girl for Paolo. The Alchemist is one of a pair of novellas (the other by Tobias Buckell,) set in the same fantasy world, where magic is destroying the Kingdoms by fueling the growth of a magical and deadly bramble.
The titular character devotes his life to finding a way to defeat the bramble and restore the ability and right for all to use magic. Unfortunately, he runs afoul of those in power who use the threat to carry out their own bloody agenda.
It all fol...more
The titular character devotes his life to finding a way to defeat the bramble and restore the ability and right for all to use magic. Unfortunately, he runs afoul of those in power who use the threat to carry out their own bloody agenda.
It all fol...more
In all my reading, I do my best not to compare books unless they are written by the same author. Despite mentally bludgeoning my brain with punches, I couldn’t help it. The fact that I took to reading this book within minutes after finishing a novel that left me disappointed, Bacigalupi’s The Alchemist unexpectedly lifted my mood. I was charmed by the contrast in plot, characters, and writing style—so much so that I might suggest you consider the influence this has over my four-star rating. (Alt...more
What if magic existed, but the cost of using it was that it was slowly destroying the world? This might be an allegory about energy use, or it might be just a cool story.
An alchemist has devoted his life to finding a solution to the problem, which is that every use of magic spreads a terrible plague of plant growth, one that is slowly smothering the land. The magic-eating plants are toxic, sort of like poisonous spiny kudzu. After fifteen years of research and the loss of his wife, he finally fi...more
An alchemist has devoted his life to finding a solution to the problem, which is that every use of magic spreads a terrible plague of plant growth, one that is slowly smothering the land. The magic-eating plants are toxic, sort of like poisonous spiny kudzu. After fifteen years of research and the loss of his wife, he finally fi...more
I like reading fantasy written by authors who usually write science fiction. First of all, they lack the compulsion to write in flowery, obscure language. This one is straight, serviceable prose. The feel is very much like a China Miéville novel--a fusion of magic/fantasy with historical/scientific (in Miéville's case, steampunk, here, more middle ages/Central Asian but the main character is a scientist and his inventions drive the plot).
In this novella, Bacigalupi addresses similar themes to hi...more
In this novella, Bacigalupi addresses similar themes to hi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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magic has a price. But someone else will pay. Every time a spell is cast, a bit of bramble sprouts, sending up tangling vines, bloody thorns, and threatening a poisonous sleep. It aprouts in tilled fields and in neighbours' roof beams, thrusts up from between street cobbles, and bursts forth from sacks of powdered spice. A bit of magic and a bramble follows. A little at first, and then more -- until whole cities are dragged down under tangling vines and empires lie dead, ruins choked by bramble...more
3.0 to 3.5 stars. Paolo Bacigalupi is one of my favorite SF writers working today and his first novel, The Windup Girl, is on my list of “All Time Favorite” books. So when I heard he was going to write a fantasy story, I was like:
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.
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Add to that wonderful piece of news that Paolo was going to team up and create a shared fantasy world with another of my favorite authors, Tobias Buckell, and all I could think of was…
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Well in the first of these shared world stories, Mr. Bacigalupi introduce...more
.
.
.
Add to that wonderful piece of news that Paolo was going to team up and create a shared fantasy world with another of my favorite authors, Tobias Buckell, and all I could think of was…
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well in the first of these shared world stories, Mr. Bacigalupi introduce...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
After finishing this short story, my first thought was "this would have made a fantastic novel"! As it is, it made for an enjoyable read, but one not worth the price of admission. Subterranean Press issued two companion novels, this and The Executioness by Tobias Buckell, set in the same fantasy world. Each hardcover of about 96 pages is $20 retail. That is way too much for what you get. Why not combine them in one hardcover?
Magic has a price; whenever it is used, a bit of deadly bramble pops up...more
Magic has a price; whenever it is used, a bit of deadly bramble pops up...more
I've wanted to read one of Paolo Bacigalupi's books for a while, but the high-concept, dense writing I heard about really intimidated me. This, a bite-size, shared-world novella, went down easily, and convinced me I want to read more by this author.
The world, shared between Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell, is one where magic produces a nasty invasive vine that is slowly choking out the entire world. The hero of The Alchemist was once wealthy and much sought after in his life as a craftsman, but no...more
The world, shared between Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell, is one where magic produces a nasty invasive vine that is slowly choking out the entire world. The hero of The Alchemist was once wealthy and much sought after in his life as a craftsman, but no...more
Having recently read Baciqalupi's excellent Ship Breaker I thought I'd breeze through his fantasy novella— and breeze I did. Written in first person, yet with a bit of almost Arabian Nightsallegoricalstyle, this is a story about a world where all magic has consequences, specifically in that it feeds deadly bramble vines, causing them to choke and strangle the city. As usual forBaciqalupi the world building and the writing is first rate. This a very contained story with a small character count an...more
This novella is set in a fantasy world co-designed by Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias S. Buckell. Buckell's novella being "The Executioness," which I am going to read next.
As with all the other stories by Bacigalupi I've read, I am drawn in by the fascinating world. In this case, it is a world where the use of magic causes a poisonous, nearly-indestructible bramble to grow. But this story takes place decades after most of the world we are presented with has been choked to death by bramble from ramp...more
As with all the other stories by Bacigalupi I've read, I am drawn in by the fascinating world. In this case, it is a world where the use of magic causes a poisonous, nearly-indestructible bramble to grow. But this story takes place decades after most of the world we are presented with has been choked to death by bramble from ramp...more
There was once a time when empires were built in the glory of magic. But the price to pay was high. Every use of magic caused the growth of poisonous bramble under which finally whole cities collapsed. Using magic is therefore strictly forbidden but it's so tempting and the humans are weak. With every day the bramble gets thicker. A man has been experimenting for years to find a way to destroy the bramble - and he might have finally succeeded...
A wonderful novella with intriguing characters in a...more
A wonderful novella with intriguing characters in a...more
I've loved all the stories that I've read by Bacigalupi and this is no exception. His work, while always telling a good story, also has a unique depth, social insight, and symbolism that reminds one of the best parables or the most resonant myths. In this case--a world where practicing magic exacts a horrible (environmental) price in the form of uncontrollable, ever-spreading "bramble"--one cannot help making the connection with the present-day "magic" of technology exacting its own environmenta...more
The Alchemist is definitely not my favorite of Bacigalupi's books, but that's probably because it's so short, it left me wanting more. Also, Bacigalupi is playing in someone else's world instead of creating his own. And, finally, it's aimed at a young adult audience, which I have not been a part of for some time now.
The titular character lives in a world that is slowly being consumed by poisonous bramble. Every time someone uses magic, more bramble grows. Touch a thorn on it, and you die. For th...more
The titular character lives in a world that is slowly being consumed by poisonous bramble. Every time someone uses magic, more bramble grows. Touch a thorn on it, and you die. For th...more
Lots of people would probably say that genetics is Bacigalupi's central subject. Or ecology. But I'm going with capitalism -- especially its negative effects. Ship Breaker is set in the gulf between rich and poor as well as on the Gulf of Mexico, and the narrator of this semi-uncharacteristic, semi-collaborative Orientalist fantasy is a man who accumulated a fortune selling baubles to the wealthy -- and then lost it trying to save his homeland from environmental catastrophe. (As the story opens...more
I didn't expect to like The Alchemist more than The Executioness, since I didn't like Paolo Bacigalupi's work when I last encountered it, but actually I preferred it by quite a bit. It has a male main character whose life revolves around taking care of his daughter, so in this case I actually enjoyed the protective parent trope. The whole world felt more real to me, too -- I caught on to the ideas quicker. It probably doesn't help that apparently this one is meant to be read first and I did it t...more
The "Alchemist," is the story of a kingdom besieged by the unending and erratic growth of brambles whenever someone decides to use magic. The bigger the spell the worst the growth of brambles as they engulf everything from houses, to land and even food. You see, brambles are attracted to magic, and thrive on it's use, spreading their pods when they are cut or burned; their needless will even kill those who are pricked by them. As a result, the evil mayor of Khaim has banned magic use of any kind...more
Jeoz has been working on a way to destroy the bramble, the invasive plant that springs up randomly whenever magic is performed. After years of experimenting, he has finally developed a method to eliminate the terrible thorny plant. However, the city officials have another plan for the device. Paolo's world-crafting ability shines though, whether it is a magic ravaged world or a world of rusted out metal hulks. The slow pace of the plot coupled with the rich world and the well developed character...more
yeah, I'm reading FIVE books now at the same time. When I found this Novella, the others went on my TO READ pile. I really enjoy Paolo Bacigalupi's writing, and when I saw this was out, I grabbed it from the library. I know, I know. I wish I had the money and space to support all the writers I enjoy, but.. I need to reduce clutter, not add onto it.
As of 5/13, I am almost done with the book (started yesterday, late). It's not in the same vein of his other work, an outside of the genre comfort zo...more
As of 5/13, I am almost done with the book (started yesterday, late). It's not in the same vein of his other work, an outside of the genre comfort zo...more
A short fantasy novella accomplishes what others fail to do in 3-4x the length; create compelling characters, build an intriguing world and tell a captivating story. In a world where sorcery is illegal and where bramble, a vine that feeds on magic, threatens to overrun everything, an alchemist strives to come up with a means to destroy bramble. It's a pity that the Kindle edition didn't have the illustrations that are in the paperback version, and that the world is so intriguing you hope Bacigal...more
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
I rated other Paolo Bacigalupi novels at 4 and 4.5 stars. The Alchemist is a lesser work, and I was disappointed in it. The writing is up to snuff, but the story itself if very short (I read it in an evening) and I kept feeling there should be more. Bacigalupi's other novels are based on solid environmental science and present believable future societies and worlds. This one is a fantasy, an Arabian Nights tale about a world where magic (literally, flying carpets and clo...more
I rated other Paolo Bacigalupi novels at 4 and 4.5 stars. The Alchemist is a lesser work, and I was disappointed in it. The writing is up to snuff, but the story itself if very short (I read it in an evening) and I kept feeling there should be more. Bacigalupi's other novels are based on solid environmental science and present believable future societies and worlds. This one is a fantasy, an Arabian Nights tale about a world where magic (literally, flying carpets and clo...more
Paolo Bacigalupi's quick little novella tells the story of a world trapped in the midst of a rather difficult quandary: while magic is possible (accessible, even), it has a price. Every time it's used, it spurs on the growth of a deadly bramble that has already destroyed a good part of the world and continue to threaten to overrun the city of Khaim. Magic has consequently been outlawed, but it's use is still widespread and justifications abound. The Alchemist tells the story of Jeoz, the titular...more
Very cool novella. It's a short, quick read at 133 pages, but the idea behind the story is sheer literary genius!
I have always preferred fantasy fiction stories with a magic system in which the use of magic has a cost or consequence. It's just not very interesting if someone can simply wave their hand, perform some huge unearthly feat that changes or manipulates the normal laws of nature---and it doesn't even cost them anything; no real expenditure of energy, no physical reaction, no danger.
Su...more
I have always preferred fantasy fiction stories with a magic system in which the use of magic has a cost or consequence. It's just not very interesting if someone can simply wave their hand, perform some huge unearthly feat that changes or manipulates the normal laws of nature---and it doesn't even cost them anything; no real expenditure of energy, no physical reaction, no danger.
Su...more
In a world where magic has a price - each act of magic creates a "bramble" - a poisonous growth of nettles that take over land and kill people, the Alchemist thinks he has figured out a way to stop the brambles. But, of course, there are never really easy answers. The use of magic = bad things happening to other people, is a thinly disguised metaphor for the way we are polluting our world, but it's an enjoyable, quick read. Looking forward to reading the related work (Executioness by Tobias Buck...more
A wonderful short story (novelette?) about an alchemist who has given up almost everything to find a cure for the bramble that seeps into the lives of everyone. In a world where magic used to be the answer to everything, you can see the struggle to innovate without it is difficult. Many fail. When the alchemist unwittingly creates a magic detector, those who haven't learned to do without feel the price of the ax.
There's much more to this wonderful story. Beautifully written, unbearably short.
There's much more to this wonderful story. Beautifully written, unbearably short.
I'll be the first to admit that it was the cover art that drew me to this book in the very beginning. I noticed it while it was on the cataloging shelf and decided that when it was finished I'd be the first to read it.
This books was strange in a good kind of way. My loudest complaint was that it was far too short. I felt as though the story was missing essential pieces that could have been added. The concept was very interesting and it is likely that I will hunt down the sequel when it comes do...more
This books was strange in a good kind of way. My loudest complaint was that it was far too short. I felt as though the story was missing essential pieces that could have been added. The concept was very interesting and it is likely that I will hunt down the sequel when it comes do...more
As always, Baccigalupi is a masterful world builder, especially worlds teetering on the edge of man-made oblivion. In The Alchemist man makes magic and magic brings the infestation of bramble, a fast growing, all consuming plant with deadly poison. It has felled cities and empires and is closing in on Khaim. The Alchemist works feverishly to find a way to kill the plant only to see his work put to evil use. A great story but just too darned short. We could use another 300 pages or so.
Bacigalupi on loonud huvitava maailma, milles maagia kasutamisel on tõsised tagajärjed kõigile. Kahjuks ei saa lugeja piisavalt tutuvuda loo lühiduse tõttu ei maailma enda ega selle elanikega, kõik libiseb silme eest kiirelt mööduva... ja kardetavasti ka kiirelt ununeva pildina. Raamat saab läbi paari õhtutunniga ja pakub lihtsat elamust, kuid ei tekita tunnet, et ühel päeval riiuli ees seistes haaraks veel kord raamatu kätte, et taas sellesse maailma sukelduda.
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Paolo Bacigalupi’s writing has appeared in High Country News, Salon.com, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. It has been anthologized in various “Year’s Best” collections of short science fiction and fantasy, nominated for three Nebula and five Hugo Awards, and won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for best sf short story of the year.
His debut nov...more
More about Paolo Bacigalupi...
His debut nov...more
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Jun 09, 2011 07:48pm
Jun 09, 2011 07:50pm