Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life

"Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story delves into themes of alchemy and the quest for immortality through its titular character, Auriol Darcy, who finds himself intertwined with the alchemical ambitions of his great-grandfather, Doctor Lamb. The narrative opens with a rich historical tapestry, weaving between events of the past and the mysteries that the characters face. At the start of the novel, the prologue sets a tone of dark intrigue as it introduces Doctor Lamb, who is both a scientist and an alchemist, on the eve of the 17th century. A wounded man, Auriol Darcy, is brought to him, and through a series of events, he becomes entangled with Doctor Lamb's experiments to discover the elixir of life. The opening is filled with suspense and the supernatural, highlighting the contrasts between earthly desires and the ultimate quest for eternal life, foretelling the challenges Auriol will face as he grapples with the consequences of his newfound knowledge and destiny. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Harrison Ainsworth was an English historical novelist born at King Street in Manchester. He trained as a lawyer, but the legal profession held no attraction for him. While completing his legal studies in London he met the publisher John Ebers, at that time manager of the King's Theatre, Haymarket. Ebers introduced Ainsworth to literary and dramatic circles, and to his daughter, who became Ainsworth's wife.