‘The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas
Flamel
The Alchemyst was published by Random
House/Delacourt in the United States on 22nd May
2007 and by Random House/Doubleday in the United Kingdom
on 25th May.
The cover was designed by Michael Wagner and is based on
Flamel's own description of the Book of Abraham.
Translation rights to the series have been sold into 30
countries. Mark Burnett, producer of Survivor , The
Apprentice and Contender in an unprecedented move,
optioned the entire six book series
Toby Emerich and Mark
Ordesky at New Line Cinema subsequently took an option
on the series. The first movie, The Alchemyst, is due for
release in 2009.
The Alchemyst is a contemporary fantasy which opens in modern
day San Francisco when brother and sister, Josh and Sophie
discover that the owner of the bookstore where Josh works
is the immortal French alchemist, Nicholas Flamel. Flamel
and his wife, Perenelle, are the guardians of the Book of
Abraham which they have protected for centuries. This is
a collection of the most powerful spells in the world. When
Dr John Dee discovers the Flamels whereabouts, he attacks
and snatches the book. Josh and Sophie intervene to help
Flamel, but now they too are being hunted by Dee and creatures
that predate humanity.
All of the main characters in The Alchemyst series are based
on figures from history or mythology.
Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel both existed. Nicholas was
born in France in 1330, and not only do his diaries and writings
exist, his house at 51 rue de Montmorency still stands in
Paris today.
In his diaries he writes extensively about discovering the
Book of Abraham, and his long quest to translate it. He claims
he discovered the secret of the Philosopher's Stone – how
to turn base metal into gold - and also the secret of eternal
life.
From being a poor bookseller, he became extraordinarily
wealthy and founded schools, churches and hospitals in Paris
. In recognition for his charitable works, there are two
streets named for him and Perenelle.
He lived simply and when he died in 1418, his tomb was broken
into by thieves looking for his vast wealth.
His tomb – and that of Perenelle – were both
empty.
In the centuries that followed, there are several sightings
of Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel across Europe .
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