Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus Trilogy

[hue of fuzzpaws]

Kallisti

[Avatar]

--A

[Zarathustra]

Wow, how have I never seen this?

Actually, I'm totally with Z on this. I'd say out of RAW's work, this is probably my least favorite, which is odd as he is most known for it. The last time I read it was probably over 10 years ago, and it was interesting being able to separate the co-authors out. I've only read one Robert Shea book, and while most of Illuminatus read like Wilson, I never felt like they were my favorite pairings. However, from playing the card game first, then seeing the book that served primarily as inspiration, it was pretty mind altering, and introduced me to a bunch of concepts that I fell in love with. But I must say that most of his other books do a much better job at getting those across.

My favorite of his fiction books are the sadly frequently passed over Historical Illuminatus books. They are much more coherent and fascinating. But I definitely prefer his "non-fiction," particularly the Cosmic Trigger books. Despite their typically awful new-agey covers. He is a brilliant man to me, and it comes across more often in his non-fiction.

Edit: Wilson had said at one point that Masks of the Illuminati was the sequel to the Historical Illuminatus series, despite saying that he was working on a fourth book at times. And Masks reads similar to the Historical, but I definitely have my preference. And Cagliostro had a bigger role, which drew me to him once upon a time.

Wow, how have I never seen this post? Cool. I've never met anyone else who has read Masks of the Illuminati. I can't believe stuff like that even gets published, much less read.

Clearly I need to read more of his stuff...

Let us know how it goes. I must repeat: Cosmic Trigger. Start with the first. They're all (mostly) good, but the quality slowly tapers off.

[Cagliostro]

Yeah, actually, I'd say the breakdown of my favorite of his fiction is:
Historical Illuminatus
Masks of the Illuminati
Schrodinger's Cat
Illuminatus Trilogy

I liked that Masks took a more serious tone, and I could see how it fits as a "sequel" to the Historical Illuminatus, but it doesn't have quite the same feel, especially since part 3 of the Historical Illuminatus came out after Masks had already been written.
I do have a fondness for Schrodinger's Cat, and at times it rises above Masks for me, but it is more in the silly spirit of the Illuminatus Trilogy.
So, Z, if you've not read the Historical Illuminatus, I suspect you might enjoy them more if you liked Masks. Then again, you are unpredictable to me, so I can't say for sure. But Sigismundo's wildlife journal or whatever it is called in part 3 is probably my favorite part of the books.

[Avatar]

Yeah, Historical is among my best too. But I prefer Illuminatus to Schroedingers Cat myself.

Also the Historical Illuminatus Papers...that is probably my favourite, but it's not a story in the sense that the others are.

--A

[Cagliostro]

I've not heard of this, unless you are referring to the Illuminati Papers. If you are, then congratulations! You have read one of his "non-fiction" books. Mainly they are essays and the like. If you enjoyed that, you should read the others, starting with the Cosmic Trigger books. I would guess you'd get a kick out of them, Av.

[Avatar]

That seems to be the one...Although I coulda sworn it was the historical Illuminati Papers.

Got essays and poems and comics in it, lots by characters from the main series, like Simon Moon.

--A

[Cagliostro]

It's been a long while since I read it, but it sounds like what I remember. I think that was one of the first of the books I read from him that were not straight up fiction.

[Avatar]

Think it was the first book by him I read at all.

--A

[Ananda]

A much better book (though even harder to read) is Masks of the Illuminati, in which Aliester Crowley is a character. That man is fucked up! I think James Joyce and Einstien make an appearance, too. Imagine the possibilities with those three in a story! Just imagine the conversations they would have.

Totally agree, Z. That one is my favourite from him.