GBO's September Pick: The Alchemaster's Apprentice

The September pick of the German Book Office in New York is The Alchemaster's Apprentice by Walter Moers, translated by John Brownjohn (Overlook Press, $25.95, 9781590202180/159020218X).

In this fourth installment of the Zamonia series, Echo, a "crat" or cat-like creature who is left to die of starvation after the sudden death of his caretaker, makes a deal with the powerful and feared Zamonian alchemist Ghoolian. Tempted by a promise of daily feasts, a warm bed and endless entertainment Echo agrees to give his fat for the rendering, not to mention his life.
 
Echo is transported to a world of culinary magic, where the secrets of Ghoolians trade take shape in the kitchen. As the new moon approaches and Echo's knowledge grows, Ghoolian learns that this particular crat may have been more than he bargained for.

A recipient of the Max and Moritz Award for the best German-language comic publications, Walter Moers is the creator of the satirical German comic strips, The Little Asshole and Adolf. His books include Rumo: And His Miraculous Adventures and The 131/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, which was adapted for film in 1999.