The Alchemy of Love [Hardcover]

Alan M. Clark (Author), Elizabeth Engstrom (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1998

A collaborative endeavor between artist-of-the-fantastic Alan M. Clark and author Eliza;beth Engstrom, this volume includes eight pieces of fiction and eight paintings. Clark illustrates four of Engstrom's favorite dark and haunting stories, and Engstrom "literates" four of Clark's disturbing images. "Crosley," one of the stories contained in this volume, was selected for inclusion in the 13th annual Year's Best Fantasy & Horror, edited by Ellen Datlow.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...not for the faint of heart, but readers should find much here to ponder." -- Locus

"This collection of love stories would give Alfred Hitchcock the creeps" -- Register-Guard

"This collection of love stories would give Alfred Hitchcock the creeps. A thought-provoking collaboration." -- The Register-Guard

The Alchemy of Love is not for the faint of heart or for readers with set ideas about genre boundaries..... -- Locus

From the Publisher

Love is the subject of this volume, and the transition from the fantasy of romantic love, to its day-by-day, get-your-hands-dirty type of living love is artfully depicted by these two extraordinary artists. As they so graphically depict, some make the transition more gracefully than others. An extraordinary read.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Triple Tree Pub; First Edition edition (December 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966627229
• ISBN-13: 978-0966627220
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,584,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Not Kansas, May 19, 2000

By 

Kathryn Mattingly (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alchemy of Love (Hardcover)

"The Alchemy of Love" by Elizabeth Engstrom and Alan M. Clark is a fascinating collection of stories accompanied by intriguing art work that together, you can never quite stop thinking about. They blend fantasy and reality is such a way that you are not sure when and where imagination takes over from rational thinking. In this book the written word intertwines with the visual picture so intimately you feel you know one by examining the other. It caused me to revisit and reexamine my definition of love on every level. It is more than an easy joy ride of a read with interesting illustrations. Although it is that, it is also like visiting a work of art that allows you to be swallowed up whole and participate in its essence. And what a trip it is. Definitely not Kansas. Not unless you consider that the wicked witch of the west is within each of us to some degree. And perhaps she is. And perhaps our perception of love and hate, hope and despair, are never further apart than our minds perception of what power these emotions hold over us. Each story and work of art suggests exactly that. I have added depth to my reality of what love is - might be - can do - and all because of these two artists who weave their tales much like a spider spins its web. These stories and works of art are interesting, intricate in design, and sometimes even deadly. In several of them I am left feeling like the fly who is caught, sucked in, left stunned. I like that feeling. It isn't one you are likely to forget. "The Alchemy of Love" isn't a book you are likely to forget either. It will change and transform you as only truly great artistry can.