This is the story that her father told, about a machine that could turn any metal into gold. To power the device he fed it his own memories. He had a family but in his quest for gold he abandoned them.
After the alchemist’s death the son returned home to the house he once knew as a child.

The prologue is narrated by a small girl, the main story is told in the form of a letter read by The Alchemist, Nicholas, played by John Hurt, to his son Verideon.

As he reads the letter we see the son exploring his estranged father’s workshop. The machinery is beautiful and filled with its creators strongest and most precious memories. We find out that the Alchemist abandoned his family and subsequently regretted it.

It is with this regret that Nicholas sabotages his own machine and Verideon decides not to use the machine for his own gains. Verideon heeded his father’s words and returned home to his daughter – to make more memories.

The machine burns memories as fuel, describe which memories the children would burn first. Which memories would you want to save the most and why?
Why did the machine break? What matters more than gold?

Writing opportunities:

Narrative text writing
Write a description of the opening scenes. Describe the outside of the cottage and compare with the inside.
Rewrite the story as a narrative using a range of narrators.
Write a description of the machine, painting a picture with words and showing the sense of awe that that Verideon has.

Non Narrative writing.
Explain or write instructions to describe how the machine works.
Write a letter from Nicholas to his son or his wife, explaining what he has done and why. It may start with justification as to why he has done it but finish with his regret.
Write a persuasive letter to Nicholas detailing why family is more important than money. This could follow a debate on the subject.

Welcome to leave your words here!