{"product_id":"2026770000545-secondhand-the-man-who-made-gold","title":"The Man Who Made Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Fair                          \u003cbr\u003eJacket: N\/A\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good                  \u003cbr\u003eMarkings: Previous owner\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA witty and satirical novel from the early twentieth century, The Man Who Made Gold chronicles the misadventures that unfold when a peculiar and obsessive inventor claims to have discovered the secret of alchemy — the transmutation of base metals into gold. Belloc, a master of comic irony, uses the premise to skewer human greed, credulity, and the absurdities of financial speculation, painting a sharp portrait of a society all too eager to believe in miraculous wealth. The narrative moves at a brisk, entertaining pace, balancing farcical situations with pointed social commentary that remains surprisingly resonant. Readers who appreciate the tradition of English satirical fiction — in the vein of Chesterton or Waugh — will find this a sharp and thoroughly enjoyable read.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48826076856539,"sku":"2026770000545-SECONDHAND","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/c62ad3c2-06fc-4ee2-94a4-9183c01704c6.png?v=1780312148","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026770000545-secondhand-the-man-who-made-gold","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}