Filled with sex and violence--in and out of time and space--the three books of The Illuminatus are only partly works of the imagination. They tackle all the coverups of our time--from who really shot the Kennedys to why there's a pyramid on a one-dollar bill.
The Illuminatus! Trilogy
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Alexandra
Format:Paperback
This really is a classic.
Yeah, im another one who heard about the book through the KLF, but i also knew what the book was more or less about after hearing so much about it. I think i first read it 12 years ago, and again very recently.
The book is hilarious, Hagbard is the king of one liners, with an ace up his sleeve, i wont give the game away. The plot jumps around like crazy, often mid sentence, forwards and backwards in time, space, heads. It is a complex book and you do begin to wonder who all these people are, like Aleister Crowley, and John Dillinger, all real people, and real events, all tied in with believably wonderful conspiracy theories.
I do remember the first time i read it, i was a bit annoyed with the ending, but seeing as i knew the ending the last time i read it, i enjoyed it much more and the ending actually made sense to me, why not end it like that? Utter genius!
My last reading of it was done entirely in the bath, from beginning to end, which took a fair while i will admit, but the book is just so witty and clever that it is hard to put down, even if its been read before.
This is in my top 12 books of all time, just to let you know =o)
Yeah, im another one who heard about the book through the KLF, but i also knew what the book was more or less about after hearing so much about it. I think i first read it 12 years ago, and again very recently.
The book is hilarious, Hagbard is the king of one liners, with an ace up his sleeve, i wont give the game away. The plot jumps around like crazy, often mid sentence, forwards and backwards in time, space, heads. It is a complex book and you do begin to wonder who all these people are, like Aleister Crowley, and John Dillinger, all real people, and real events, all tied in with believably wonderful conspiracy theories.
I do remember the first time i read it, i was a bit annoyed with the ending, but seeing as i knew the ending the last time i read it, i enjoyed it much more and the ending actually made sense to me, why not end it like that? Utter genius!
My last reading of it was done entirely in the bath, from beginning to end, which took a fair while i will admit, but the book is just so witty and clever that it is hard to put down, even if its been read before.
This is in my top 12 books of all time, just to let you know =o)
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Illuminatus! is more than a novel; it's a head trip, a philosophy course, a mirror, a funhouse; a work that should be read at least five times, because every journey through is a different trip. Equal parts mock conspiracy story, detective novel, science fiction epic and hidden treatise, what you get out of it tells you more about yourself than about the authors. On top of all that, it's just plain old damn funny. Keep your eyes open for the parodies of James Joyce, Ayn Rand and Edgar Rice Burroughs, and avoid the fnords at all costs.
Whether you're nostalgic for the 60s or lost in the compassless haze of the 90s, you need to read this book, and get to know the philosophies of its authors. There's more education between these covers than between the start and finish of any university, but it's all achieved painlessly and, by the end, you'll look at the world and yourself in a different way.
Finally, this is one of those rare books that has become less satire and more prediction in the twenty-three years since its publication. What was once cynical wit is now sad documentary, and authors Wilson and Shea have nailed it. Approach with an open mind, abandon all preconceptions ye who enter here -- and then read it again and be surprised all over as you realize it's a different book the second time around. And the third. And the fourth. And the... well, you know...
40 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By DayTripper
Format:Paperback
I first read Illuminatus at age 18 in 1988. I bought it after reading an interview with KLF in a music magazine & did not know what to expect. At first I found it fairly heavy going - at that age I had never read a novel which 'jumped' aruond so much. I eventually got used to the style and started to enjoy the complex, intriguing & entertaining plot. Many of the references were unfamilier to me & I think much of it went over my head. I got to the end,entertained, if slightly confused.
I put it out of my mind then stumbled upon my copy again when I was around 25. I decided to give it another go - remembering my experience from my first reading & only slightly recalling the plot.
Another 7 years of life between first & second reading ensured
the text revealed more to me than on first reading. Just as entertaining as first read, but this time around more "oh yeah..I know what they're talking about... I think".
I read for the third time around 2 years ago - and got more out of the book on the third reading.
I will probably go back to it in another three or 4 years.
This is a huge(ish), dense, compelling & entertaining novel. As a result of this, it is one of the few books I have read that reveals more of itself each time you go back to it..........a highly recommended mind trip.
I put it out of my mind then stumbled upon my copy again when I was around 25. I decided to give it another go - remembering my experience from my first reading & only slightly recalling the plot.
Another 7 years of life between first & second reading ensured
the text revealed more to me than on first reading. Just as entertaining as first read, but this time around more "oh yeah..I know what they're talking about... I think".
I read for the third time around 2 years ago - and got more out of the book on the third reading.
I will probably go back to it in another three or 4 years.
This is a huge(ish), dense, compelling & entertaining novel. As a result of this, it is one of the few books I have read that reveals more of itself each time you go back to it..........a highly recommended mind trip.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique. Demands a response. Liminal fnord jazz for the mind.
I first read this book while working a night shift job on the banks of the Thames in London, which looking back, certainly added to the surreal, submerging & multi-versal world... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Russell J. Weston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly mind-altering
The self-proclaimed "longest shaggy dog joke in American history", the Illuminatus! is truly one of the wisest books of all. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Tim D.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misogynist and Homophobic
I bought this book after reading the rave reviews about how 'life changing' it all was.
I love conspiracy theories, sci-fi and beat fiction by authors such as Burroughs... Read more
I love conspiracy theories, sci-fi and beat fiction by authors such as Burroughs... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alias Grace
2.0 out of 5 stars
All over the place
Disappointing. A promising start with an interesting storyline was spoilt by the threads jumping from one timeline to another. DNF
Published 1 month ago by Pen Name
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wired
Well, how do you try to encapsulate this trilogy into a short review that gives someone insight and may sway them towards/away from purchasing it? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen (real name)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Bizzare
The style is way out, its a little dated, probably late 60's or early 70's.
Anyone who can start a chapter "Jesus Christ rode past on a bicycle" gets my... Read more
Anyone who can start a chapter "Jesus Christ rode past on a bicycle" gets my... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty, articulate
RAW is one of my favourite authors . . . had not previously read this work, co-authored with Robert Shea
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Tim Varley
2.0 out of 5 stars
I was disappointed!
I bought this book expecting a strong and enjoyable narrative. But I found it very difficult to understand. Read more
Published 7 months ago by super antpod
1.0 out of 5 stars
Jag
I am a 40 something engineer guy. Who has rediscovered reading, thanks to the kindle. This is the only book I.ve given up on. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Sandhu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blast from the past
Read this as a spotty teenager and loved the conspiracy story then and it is still as good. Highly recommended
Published 8 months ago by Andrew Richardson
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