When I saw the title, the first thing that came to mind was the title’s acronym: TTLG, which made me think of Through the Looking Glass, which is essentially where this story begins—in the (literally) arcane world of alchemy (which is pure hooey, but Newton thought there was something there and he wasn’t a total dolt). What’s important, of course, is not what I with my 21st-century jaundiced eye think, but rather what the characters believe and does the author convey their belief to the reader? He does.
Overall, I thought the book combined rollicking adventure with deeply researched historical background. Anyone can throw out dates, names, and places, but Balcomb not only displays a shrewd understanding of how various events played out within the larger tapestry of 14th-century English and French political, religious, and social history, but incorporates much of this within fictional conversations (quite the balancing act). And there is a clear sympathy here for the mistreated—i.e., the expulsion of the Jews, the hypocrisy of the Crusaders, and the Catholic Church’s at-the-time devious, self-serving, decidedly un-Christian oppression of the masses.
Did my eyes glaze over a bit on the alchemical descriptions? Some, but I understand they were, as they say, necessary to the plot, if also rather bonkers (triangles, squares, circles, the Child?).
The relationship between the would-be alchemist Elias Dorn and his student Tom is potentially tricky: an orphaned sorcerer’s apprentice who is essentially a tablula rasa makes for a convenient receptacle for Dorn’s religious lectures. But this is not overdone and eventually Dorn says a plague on both your houses (God and Satan) and charts his own path (although there is a beautiful moment when Tom visits St. Paul’s cathedral and feels the weight of the sacred).
Once Dorn shifts, he seems to embrace an ecumenical universalism that invites wisdom from all the world’s religions. You see it in his urging Tom to “embrace all the world has to offer,” which is simple yet absolutely invaluable advice for living a rewarding life.
The chief nemesis, Arón, is a fun character. Milton must have known that Satan was the star of Paradise Lost, not Christ. When Arón smacks Dorn in the face with a sword and says, “Now, the real quest begins,” I thought—well, that was spoken like a true Disney villain.
The introduction of a young Geoffrey Chaucer (soon to be champion of the vernacular) to the story was welcome. Was his musing that he might one day write about a knight and a squire too on-the-nose? No! Readers deserve small rewards.
And one of the best is the heart-tapping ending to this fine tale of friendship in a world of superstition and dogma.
—Randy Pitman, former columnist, Library Journal
A 700-year return to the Medieval realm of conspiracy, where characters seek tremendous wealth, both tangible and of the spirit. A Master alchemist uses “Dragon’s Blood,” dried toads, rare chemicals, and a mating of the Sun and Moon in his quest to make gold. Balcomb brings Medieval history to life as he unspools a riveting celestial tale from an unforgettable era. The essence of his epic story urges us to look inward to discover timeless treasures that precious metal can only symbolize. Earth, air, fire, and water: a quadrant of unending possibilities that may lead us to a living temple of divinity.
—Stephen Pouliot, award-winning writer for television (Academy Awards, AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards, 9/11 Concert, presidential specials)
Gorgeous writing, lapidary ideas, tender delivery. This book will have a long life. Logan Pearsall Smith wrote, “What I like in a good author isn’t what he says, but what he whispers.” Balcomb’s prose delivers, then promises more by what is left out. Many lines hide as much as they reveal, which is devilishly hard to do. Balcomb has the alchemical goods.
—Phil Cousineau, protégé of Joseph Campbell, author of over 40 books, including The Book of Roads, The Art of Pilgrimage, The Lost Notebooks of Sisyphus, Once and Future Myths, Who Stole the Arms of the Venus de Milo?
Moderns think of alchemy as superstition in service to con artistry. In Through the Lion’s Gate, it emerges as something quite different: a mainly spiritual quest to which the acquisition of riches is hardly a footnote. An artist, a composer, a publisher, and now a novelist, Balcomb has immersed himself in the lived minutiae of the time (c. 1350 AD), as a historical novelist must. Above all, he has recreated the intellectual atmosphere that made alchemy a plausible project, and finally even a fruitful one. He recaptures the spirit and best aspects of a time when science and faith were one, when metaphor was the single great law of physics, when the world for all its frequent horror still whispered its happy secrets to those of good faith. Quick—read this heart-warming and thoroughly strange novel.
—John Kilgore, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Illinois University
This is a real page-turner! I’m completely engrossed. I think I’ll read it again! A sequel is obvious, but dare I predict a prequel about Dorn?
—Rob Skinnell, award-winning composer, president of Reprise Music Services, former head of Universal Studios Music Library
Balcomb has created a wonderfully vivid, emotional, and incredibly cinematic world with compelling and rich characters and beautifully crafted backstories and relationships. An intriguing adventure with action and heartbreak, taking us on an authentically detailed, thoughtful, physical, and metaphysical journey. Thanks for the ride.
—Danny Kaplan, Director/Producer and artist (As the Bell Rings, The Science of Disney Imagineering, Cristiano Ronaldo In Disguise, Brian O’Brian)
This book is more than a novel of historical fiction, it’s a magical map into ideas of true transformation and the beautiful nature of the Soul and the Self. Balcomb not only has presented an intriguing, can’t-put-it-down narrative that reads like a blockbuster movie, he set the story during a time in history that required tremendous research to feel so authentic. Balcomb dives into humanity’s ever-evolving quest for riches, power, knowledge, and God, through characters involved in the art and science of alchemy—transmuting lead to gold (which evolved into chemistry as we know it today). He also uses this story to tap into the perennial wisdom and knowledge that is available to us all as an expansive alternative to religious and theological precepts—so needed in the 21st Century. This “real gold” is our own connection to oneness and all that is. This is an important work of fiction and one that can be added to one’s “must read” list!
—Kate McCallum, MA Consciousness Studies, Award-Winning XR Producer, Author, and Transmedia Consultant (Mesmerica 360, Beautifica, NBC’s What Kind of Mother Are You?, co-Author of Handbook of Research on the Global Impact and Roles of Immersive Media)
I devoured the book in a couple of sleepless nights! Difficult to put down! Wonderfully crafted. Your research into alchemy of course was essential. Others might have been less demanding of themselves than you. All the characters really come to life which is why it’s so difficult to put the book down. So often, even with the best novelists, the form often suffers from certain longueurs. Not so in your case. The culmination is rapid, concise, leaving us wanting more. Bravo mon ami! A quand le prochain?
—Dana Chivers, American virtuoso guitarist living in Aix-en-Provence, France. Studied with Segovia, José Tomás, Nadia Boulanger, Jean Catoire, and Miriam Solovieff
Just finished Through the Lion’s Gate. Fascinating. The thing that most impressed me was the amount of historical detail. That must have required some serious research work. I can only imagine the sources you had to search out to provide so much detail of medieval history and all that arcane stuff about alchemy. Best wishes for your success as an author!
—Gary Burton, multi-Grammy Award-winning jazz musician