The Search for the Absolute

If we judge from the outside, Valtasar Klaas has everything that makes up the formula for happiness: a loving wife, children, enough money. But for Valtasar, this formula is wrong — he is passionately fascinated by alchemy and will become... absolutely happy only when he unravels the secret of obtaining gold and diamonds. In pursuit of his dream, he misses out on the years he could have spent with his family. And the money that could ensure him a comfortable existence is spent on buying chemical reagents and equipment. Will Valtasar be able to understand that in the search for abstract happiness he is losing tangible happiness?

The publication also includes the novellas "Elixir of Longevity," "Forgiven Melmont," and a number of essays.