“When I was twenty-six, my first novel, The Temple of Gold, was published by Alfred K. Knopf. (Which is now part of Random House which is now part of R.C.A. which is just part of what’s wrong with publishing in America today which is not part of this story.)”

Throughout the novel, Goldman uses his fictional lens to satirize the publishing industry and give the story’s frame another dimension. He blends real-world experiences with fictional ones, and this is an instance of Goldman drawing on his own life. The Temple of Gold was Goldman’s real debut novel and his introduction to the world of publishing. 

“Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles.”

Goldman’s fictionalized father uses a list to summarize Morgenstern’s novel for his son. These lines reappear later in the chapter at the start of the adult Goldman’s obsession with finding the novel for his own son. They work as an intergenerational through line for the family’s connection with the book. The incorrect superlative “beautifulest” establishes the novel’s lightly satirical attitude toward the conventions of adventure and romance.

“But take the title words—‘true love and high adventure’—I believed in that once.”

The fictional Goldman struggles with what he wants to believe in versus what life has taught him. He goes from a young boy filled with hope and trust in the magic of the world to a cynical man afraid of courting more disappointment. However, this moment shows that his childhood wonder still has an important place in his heart, and he wants to pass that wonder on to his son.