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Blue and Gold

by K.J. Parker
Subterranean. Dec. 2010. c.104p. ISBN 978-1-59606-327-3. $25. FANTASY
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As a philosopher and alchemist, Saloninus enjoys the friendship of Phocas, the prince of Paraprosdocia, and the privileges that come with it, until the day he murders his wife, who is also Phocas's sister. The deed was an accident connected to Saloninus's search for an elixir of eternal youth, but he finds himself on the run from the City Watch and Phocas's soldiers. Ultimately, both alchemist and philosopher give way to the true Saloninus, who is much more than the sum of his many parts. The author of "The Engineer Trilogy" has written a mesmerizing short novel that combines fictional autobiography with political intrigue and the art of the confidence man.
VERDICT History rewrites itself at every turn in this tale of an alchemist whose own base metal becomes, at last, pure gold. Despite its price, this novella is suitable for large libraries.
Reviewed by Jackie Cassada , Aug 01, 2010
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