The Cliffs of Insanity

• The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson: The penultimate conspiracy theory book. I haven't read it since 1993, when I lent the book to someone who promptly moved to Louisiana. It will absolutely rock the foundations of any belief you hold sacred. I contend that The Invisibles would never have come into existence had it not been for this book.


• Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban: aka "Shriekback required reading." Set at least a couple of thousand years in the future, the remnants of humanity in England are barely recognisable as such. The plot follows a young man, Riddley Walker, who has experienced some major moments in a very short period of time. He shot what may be the last wild boar in England (this is referenced in the Shrieks' "Beatles Zebra Crossing"), his father died leaving Riddley to be his tribe's Connexion Man on the ripe age of 12, and he discovers he is dog frendy. The book is written phonetically to reflect the English of a post-nuclear holocaust future. It takes a couple of pages to get used to reading it but, long after you've finished the book, the slang sticks with you. This book was heavily influential in the making of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. The children in that movie speak Riddley-speak.


• Pilgermann by Russell Hoban: Beautifully written, as are all of Mr. Hoban's works, Pilgermann tells the story of a European Jew travelling to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, and the places and people he encounters en route. The language of this novel creates a certain spiritual uplift in the reader, or at least it did for me. Russell Hoban is a master of poetic prose, painting his novels more than writing them at times.


• The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien: It's my belief that one cannot fully understand the scope and wonder of The Lord of the Rings without reading The Silmarillion. It's a difficult book to read, but well worth the effort. This tells the story of the creation of the world and the birth of both Elves and Men, and it's a collection of the myths and legends of the First and Second Ages of Middle Earth. Tolkien's most personal and beloved work, The Silmarillion was never completed by him; rather, it was compiled by his son Christopher. Like most true myths, The Silmarillion was ever changing and, therefore, never ready for publication, at least in Tolkien's opinion. He began working on it in 1914 and he was writing on it until the day he died.


• Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams. This trilogy, consisting of The Dragonbone Chair, Stone of Farewell, and To Green Angel Tower rivals the literary pageantry of The Lord of the Rings. Tad Williams has the ability to create such sympathetic characters, you may actually find yourself brought to extreme states of emotion throughout your reading experience. The main character, Simon Mooncalf, is thrown into the adventure of which he'd always dreamt when he was nothing more than a castle scullion, and he soon finds out that adventure leaves a lot to be desired when it also entails threat of death, going hungry, and being cold and alone. Fortunately for Simon, he finds some very good friends on the road, and this ragtag group work to save the world from a power-sick king, a malevolent monk, and a race of angry Norns, led by the undead Storm King. Breathtaking.


• Imajica by Clive Barker: a book every Pagan should read. This is Clive Barker's best book. Period. The story is about John Furie Zacharias, aka Gentle's attempt to reconcile the Five Dominions of creation, fulfilling his destiny as a Maestro. It follows his journey through the Dominions along with his assassin lover Pie Oh Pah, and the discoveries he makes during his journey, culminating in a reality-shattering confrontation with his father, the god Hapexamendios. Based on a dream he had, Clive Barker's passion shines through with every word in this book. You haven't truly read Clive unless you've read Imajica.

• The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams


• Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams


• To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams


• Dies the Fire by SM Stirling


• The Protector's War by SM Stirling


• A Meeting at Corvallis by SM Stirling


• Red Dragon by Thomas Harris


• The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris


• Hannibal by Thomas Harris


• Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker


• Rulers of Darkness by Steven G. Spruill

falkenna

Edith Manning: The film you were rambling about the other night; the one you said explained everything. Don't let your cleverness get the better of you, Mr. Lang. Take care, dear.
[INSERT]: RVM MODULE REFERENCE: In the taxi, Mason remembers the name of the movie. "Thomasina." In the hotel room with Edith and Gideon, Mason Lang explains: "It's about this ginger cat who dies and comes back to life and her name in the film is "Thomasina," even though ginger cats are generally male, I always thought. Anyway...that's...."