Coincidance

View other editions of Coincidance.
View books by Robert Anton Wilson.

Finnegan's Wake explained... among other things - Rated
A caveat: while this book, like most of Wilson's works, rates a 10 (with me), this probably belongs in the advanced course, and might be beyond people who've never read Wilson before. If you don't know his style, his philosophies and his history, you might get lost in the muck. But, if you've at least made it through his "Illuminatus!" and "Prometheus Rising," then give it a shot. (Reading "Finnegan's Wake" also helps, but you won't have to in order to follow his analyses.)

Describable as one of Wilson's more straightforward exegises, "Coincidance" deals directly with concepts of quantum physics, Joycean symbolism and the "reality is what you can get away with" school of thought.

Bonus points, Wilson wrote this book entirely in "E-Prime," a variation of English with one subtle but significant difference. (In fact, I've written this entire review in "E-Prime" as well. The only exception appears in the quote above, a repeat of the title of one of Wilson's fictional works. Perhaps, if you figure out what makes "E-Prime" different, you might be ready to read "Coincidance" right now...)

Mind shattering and breath taking! - Rated
In Coincidance Wilson dissects Joyce, and intersects that with political, sociological, philosophical and theo/asophical essays. The entire book has rapier wit and style, but don't miss the Ode to the Divine Marquis De Sade. The entire books is worth just that. This is what got me started on Wilson; I'll never regret it.