Mercurius: Or, the Marriage of Heaven & Earth Paperback – Import, January 1, 2008

i don't usually read novels, as I feel like I want to learn something if I am taking the time to read. This is one of the few novels where I felt like I was learning while reading it and that some of the lessons could only be told in this way; they would not work in non-fiction. This is only the second book that I've read by Harpur and the first novel, but he is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers and I have more of his stuff on order. it's humbling to think that there are people as intelligent and wise as Harpur. He really is a gift to us.

This is one of the best and most important novels I have ever read. The story is interesting; the writing is elegant; the discussion of the Great Work is utterly invaluable. This is the kind of book that, as you read, you ask yourself, "How does he DO that?"If you have an interest in the Western esoteric tradition (or wonder why the first Harry Potter book was about the Philosopher's Stone), read this. It is challenging material; I recommend having a copy of Alexander Roob's "Alchemy and Mysticism" close by for reference, but probably the best way to learn about the hermetic project in a non-technical way.

Just starting to read this. I can tell I will love it. I love all the books by this author.

This book is not what I thought it would be. It’s utterly discursive, so much so, that it’s hard to keep track of where the story is heading. Too many protagonists for my taste. I’m about a quarter of a way through, and I’ve yet to really glean anything out of it concerning alchemy; lots of baggage regarding the protagonists’ religious past, and sexual hangups, in terms of catholic guilt. I guess it resonates with some folks, but for me, it’s utterly dry, and not what I was looking for. I was looking for a real adventure, which would open the world of alchemy to an outsider, like myself. Perhaps I’m just not ready; perhaps the book just sucks. In the end, it’s like the great philosophers have always known: all is opinion, anyways.