The Illuminati are shit.

[Schneibster]

Well, I have to say that considering that the Illuminati were made up for a 1960s conspiracy theory spoof trilogy intended mostly as humor and written largely while under the influence of various mind-altering chemicals, overall I'm not just entirely astonished. Just sayin'.

I recently started the Schroedinger's Cat trilogy again, which is more-or-less the sequel to the Illuminatus trilogy. Haven't ever finished it; not even the first book. This will be my third try at it. I think it's a state of mind thing.

[Tyrannical]

Nothing compared to how dumb the Jews are.
The Jews are letting the Muslims into Europe and the US, and the Muslims hate Jews

[Schneibster]

Oh, for cryin' out loud.

Arrrrghhhh, I'm the Jooooooish sock monster, I'm where all the socks go that you lose in the wash.

Is there anything you won't blame the Joooooooooos for?

[Atheist-Lite]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

[Audley Strange]

Well, I have to say that considering that the Illuminati were made up for a 1960s conspiracy theory spoof trilogy intended mostly as humor and written largely while under the influence of various mind-altering chemicals, overall I'm not just entirely astonished. Just sayin'.

I recently started the Schroedinger's Cat trilogy again, which is more-or-less the sequel to the Illuminatus trilogy. Haven't ever finished it; not even the first book. This will be my third try at it. I think it's a state of mind thing.

Ah if only that were true the whole sorry affair would be funnier. Shea and Wilson's Conspiracy Satire was in part generated by all the crank letters Wilson used to get while working as an Editor for Playboy. The Illuminati conspiracy theory goes back at least as an accusation to about the late 18th century.

Shroedinger's Cat isn't great and is barely a sequel. It's got some nice bits in it but I think it one of his worst straightforward "fiction" books.

[Schneibster]

Well, thanks, Audley. That's two new things I learned today. It's not being very sequel-y, more a matter of a bunch of campy references, so far. It's kind of on the shelf while I read the Aubrey and Maturin novels due to an obscure urge that overcame me a few weeks back.

[Atheist-Lite]

[JimC]

Well, thanks, Audley. That's two new things I learned today. It's not being very sequel-y, more a matter of a bunch of campy references, so far. It's kind of on the shelf while I read the Aubrey and Maturin novels due to an obscure urge that overcame me a few weeks back.

Aha, another Patrick O'Brien fan!

Excellent!

Have read the whole series several times...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Well, thanks, Audley. That's two new things I learned today. It's not being very sequel-y, more a matter of a bunch of campy references, so far. It's kind of on the shelf while I read the Aubrey and Maturin novels due to an obscure urge that overcame me a few weeks back.

Aha, another Patrick O'Brien fan!

Excellent!

Have read the whole series several times...

So asking you if they're worth reading is a waste of time, I suppose. Then the question would be, are the novel in chronological order as published or do they jump around. If I were going to read them I'd prefer to do so from Aubrey's first day at Spithead. (Or the Solent, whatever.)

[Schneibster]

Twice, so far, personally. This will be the third time.

They are in chronological order. I'm pretty sure you'll like them.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Twice, so far, personally. This will be the third time.

They are in chronological order. I'm pretty sure you'll like them.

I liked the movie.

[Schneibster]

It didn't have much to do either with the first novel, of the same title, or the rest of the series; they needed somebody 6'4" or so, blonde, a bit dumb-sounding, and a bit fat to play Aubrey. Russell Crowe is too smart, but they had to have a star, and I can't think who would be any better.

[JimC]

It didn't have much to do either with the first novel, of the same title, or the rest of the series; they needed somebody 6'4" or so, blonde, a bit dumb-sounding, and a bit fat to play Aubrey. Russell Crowe is too smart, but they had to have a star, and I can't think who would be any better.

I agree that the movie was a mish-mash in terms of the plot, but it did get across something of the feel of the books, I think...

[Schneibster]

Kinda. The characterization of Aubrey is too much the hero; he bumbles sometimes, and things like him announcing he's going to preach a sermon and Maturin totally losing it to the point he has to spend five minutes apologizing because he couldn't stop laughing were missing. And the characterization of Maturin is too much like Sherlock Holmes; not enough of things like him announcing to Jack, "You've debauched my sloth!"

I suppose given what they had to work with (including the audience) it was about as good as could be expected.

[JimC]

Kinda. The characterization of Aubrey is too much the hero; he bumbles sometimes, and things like him announcing he's going to preach a sermon and Maturin totally losing it to the point he has to spend five minutes apologizing because he couldn't stop laughing were missing. And the characterization of Maturin is too much like Sherlock Holmes; not enough of things like him announcing to Jack, "You've debauched my sloth!"

I suppose given what they had to work with (including the audience) it was about as good as could be expected.

Yes. Their relationship is such a complex thing, you have to follow its growth through the various books, and understand that it also included almost fighting a duel with each other...