A self-described “quantum comedy,” this triptych of novels is spread across six parallel universes in a version of the USA called Unistat.The writing is silly, sexy, and erudite. It uses a mosaic of events in place of a conventional plotline, and peels back layer after layer of reality and conspiracy. It's like an X-rated version of The X-Files scripted by Monty Python.
The trilogy's structure is as follows:
BOOK ONE – THE UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR
Part One – Purity of Essence
Part One – The Universe Next Door
BOOK ONE – THE TRICK TOP HAT
Part One – Stoic and Christian Ejaculations
BOOK ONE - THE HOMING PIGEONS
Part One – Who’s Zelenka?
Part One – Coming to a Head
Part One – Flossing
A large cast of recurring characters shows up in each part (universe) under a different guise. For example, Joe Malik becomes Josephine Malik, and Mountbatten Babbit is variously a scientific advisor to the President, a researcher at Orgasm Institute, and an admiral at Naval Intelligence.
Many of the names provide an indication of the author’s intent: Ms Karrige, Justin Case, Natalie Drest, Bertha Van Ation, Juan Tootreego, Frank Hemeroid, Clem Cotex, Furbish Lousewart, Marvin Gardens, the Mad Fishmonger, Benny “Eggs” Benedict…
A number of characters are motivated by a desire to know “what the hell is going on.” They lecture each other on quantum mechanics, politics, religion, philosophy, and economics. Some eventually come to the conclusion that they are simply characters in a novel.
Other common elements include a disembodied penis, L5 space cities, a computer called the Beast, and the town of Bad Ass, Texas.
The author, Robert Anton Wilson, was a former associate editor at Playboy. He is best known for co-authoring The Illuminatus! Trilogy with Robert Shea. The Schrodinger’s Cat trilogy is a kind of sequel, sharing a number of characters with the previous work.
