*Le Baiser Alchimique*: A Must-Read Full of Mystery and Gothic Intrigue
This is a book that keeps you turning pages to find out what happens next. If you love mysteries, intricate plots, and stories that surprise you with every chapter, *Le Baiser Alchimique* is exactly what you need. The novel offers a delightful adventure, a moment of escapism, but also unveils darker tones. Set in the beautiful, enchanting Venice, you might expect a romantic getaway like many others... but think again! A peaceful gondola ride? Far from it.
Venice: The Perfect Setting for a Rich and Intriguing Story
Max de Ridder describes this city, beloved by tourists and artists alike, with a passion that resonates through his writing. Venice, as you’ve never seen it before. In his "kiss," Venice breathes, trembles, worries, and smiles. Through light and enjoyable poetry, the author plays with words like a painter with shades: "The sun plunged into the lagoon with a mist that strangely resembled an ember thrown into the waves," he writes in the first chapter.
This is a Venice of strange, secret alleyways, perfect for a fantastical tale reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe. The atmosphere flirts with the gothic—ideal for autumn or winter reading, snuggled under a blanket with a warm drink. In this fantastic Venice, alchemists hide in crypts to conceal their most sordid secrets. Picture yourself navigating the dark waters of the city, passing through mists that envelop the ancient city! You might expect to encounter monsters and legendary creatures at any moment. The setting is akin to the horror masterpiece *Don't Look Now* by Nicolas Roeg (1973), based on the short story by Daphne du Maurier, where Venice transforms into a labyrinthine nightmare. Both works share this oppressive, almost dreamlike quality where the Venetian city, with its fog-filled narrow streets, becomes something else entirely.
Giacobbe: A Character Beyond His Own Limits
As you progress through the story, you realize that Venice is a reflection of Giacobbe’s thoughts, the book’s protagonist. A brilliant yet tormented young man driven by his alchemical aspirations, Giacobbe resembles a young Victor Frankenstein in many ways. He’s both vulnerable and daring, making him a relatable character. Though a genius in alchemy, Giacobbe is a deeper, more interesting character, consumed by a quest to transcend his mortal condition. He seeks to master the elements, to understand the very essence of the universe. Through his experiments, he attempts to turn lead into gold—symbolic of his inner quest to transform himself and escape the limits of his existence. At one point, he confides in another character, Alba, saying, "Thanks to this great work, I could make the foundry district flourish!" Clearly, he’s driven by a desire to prove to himself that he can achieve great things.
Alba, on the other hand, is equally endearing. She represents innocence, but also a desire for freedom. Despite her strict aristocratic upbringing, she rebels, maintaining a secret relationship with Giacobbe. She is torn between her family obligations and her thirst for discovery. Their exchanges are tender and intimate. At one point, upon discovering Giacobbe’s experiments for the first time, she exclaims, "You’re a dreamer, my sweet Giacobbe."
A Gothic Mystery Unfolds
Captain Lucius of the Venetian Guard also plays a significant role, navigating the political intrigues of Venice while struggling with secrets he must keep hidden. Without spoiling the plot, a character named Malthus de Sienne, an exorcist, enters the story and becomes a key figure. Intriguing, isn’t it?
One thing is clear: *Le Baiser Alchimique* is not a book you’ll breeze through in one afternoon. It requires attention, which is part of what makes it such a rewarding experience.
"It Was a Nightmare Vision"
The story begins with a series of gruesome murders in the shadowy parts of Venice—crimes of indescribable horror that leave the city’s inhabitants terrified. Dismembered bodies, decapitated heads left on the steps of bridges—panic spreads, reminiscent of Whitechapel during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror. This is only the beginning of a story that becomes increasingly complex, with new mysteries emerging. Giacobbe’s alchemical experiments take a horrific turn, such as when molten material in his furnace "began to scream, like a crow, with a shrill cry that petrified Alba." Horror, mystery, and crime—all the elements are there to satisfy fans of the genre, similar to the show *Penny Dreadful* with Eva Green.
Amid the political machinations of Venice’s elites and the strange occurrences surrounding Malthus de Sienne, the Vatican’s exorcist sent to investigate, the intrigue becomes as tense as a chess game between various factions. Who’s manipulating whom? Who can be trusted? You won’t know whom to believe.
Max de Ridder: A Unique Voice in Gothic Fiction
Max de Ridder is undoubtedly not your average author! Born with a burning passion for history and philosophy, he presents a book that is intense and thoroughly captivating, despite its complexity. His characters elicit empathy and are believable in a historical and fantastical setting that will appeal to readers hungry for this kind of genre. If you’ve enjoyed authors like Umberto Eco or Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Max de Ridder could be your next favorite writer.
Lastly, a word on the publisher, Le Lys Bleu. This publishing house has an incredible knack for discovering unconventional authors, and their catalog is filled with literary gems like *Le Baiser Alchimique*. For all these reasons, we highly recommend this unique book—especially on cold, rainy days! And if you happen to read it in Venice, even better. But no need to travel that far to enjoy it—the author will transport you there without you ever leaving your chair.
Comments (0)