The last alchemist by Colin Thompson
Random
House,
1999 (Reprinted 2010). ISBN:
9781741664171.
(Ages
5 to 95) Highly recommended. With
the new Millennium fast
approaching, the King has ordered Spinifex, his nineteenth alchemist,
to find
the secret to producing gold. Although Arthur, the alchemist's
assistant,
endeavours to watch and assist with the project he perceives values in
life
differently to the King and the alchemist. When sent into the
countryside to
collect gold, he returns with sunshine, canaries, marigolds and egg
yolks,
causing the alchemist to become angry. Spinifex takes his turn at going
to
collect gold but achieves very little. By the time the Millennium
arrives, the
alchemist has gone mad through his efforts and disaster strikes.
Colin
Thompson's zany, intensely
colourful, meticulously detailed illustrations provide a perfect
backdrop to
this cleverly written tale. The reader can either consider just the
somewhat
ordinary text without glancing at the pictures or alternatively ponder
for
hours over the intricate details included therein. A bilby like
creature is
hidden on many pages, along with multiple references to 'Max' the dog.
Escher
like staircases cause one to lose one's sense of perspective and clever
references to gold are used as book titles, for example Gold Comfort
Farm and
How Gold was my Valley. Thompson's books are suited not only to junior
primary
students but to multiple age groups. A wonderful title for any class
discussing
values and endeavouring to discover what is most important in life!
Jo
Schenkel, Pilgrim School