Where the Library Hides

Content Warning: This section includes discussion of gender discrimination.

Inspired by a real historical document attributed to Cleopatra the Alchemist, a third-century philosopher from Alexandria, the Chrysopoeia of Cleopatra is an alchemical document. Depicting an “Ouroboros surrounded by Greek letters—detailed instructions on how to turn lead into gold” (350), this document is central to the novel’s plot. Unlike other artifacts, the Chrysopoeia is a key to unlimited wealth, making it a target for scholars, thieves, and power-hungry individuals alike. The library in the title is its hiding place, and the search for it drives the story forward, leading the characters across Egypt and deep into Alexandria’s ruins. Functionally, the Chrysopoeia is a literary “MacGuffin,” a term popularized by director Alfred Hitchcock that refers to an object in a story that is sought-after and propels the story forward. What the artifact does is less important than what it means to the characters in a story. Inez sees it as a way to uncover the truth about her mother’s actions. On the other hand, Whit is motivated to find it first to escape his familial obligations and later because of guilt. Lourdes and Mr. Fincastle seek it to solidify their influence in the illicit antiquities trade.