The Earth Will Shake (Historical Illuminatus Chronicles, Vol 1)

by Robert Anton Wilson

Paperback, 1988

Status

Available

Call number

813

Collection

Publication

Lynx Books (1988), 385 pages

Description

The History Of The Ealty Illuminati... They have been with us all through history: The "Invisible College" of wisdom, and their adversaries -- the destroyers -- who rise from the flames to burn again. The history of the world is their story: a conspiracy as vast and all-encompassing as the riddle of time itself. In Naples, Italy, in 1764, a young aristocrat is about to stumble onto one piece of the great pattern. Through a heartless murder and his passion for the beautiful daughter of his enemy, young Sigismundo Celine uncovers the mystery of the Rossi brigade, former M.A.F.I.A. assassins, and the secret agenda of the dreaded Inquisition. In the wind of the raging social storm that will soon tear through Europe and America with the flame of revolution, Sigismundo begins his journey of discovery, joined by the boy Mozart, Dr Frankenstein, Casanova the spy, lover and magician... and a mysterious violet-eyed assassin who calls him "brother".… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Moonbug
This is the best book in the trilogy. Historically accurate enough to be convincing, with engaging, dynamic characters and an enticing plot, it is well worth the journey.

My only caution is the rest of the trilogy is a real let down, but as a stand alone book, The Earth Will Shake is an excellent
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read.
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LibraryThing member RandyStafford
My reaction to reading this novel in 1992. Spoilers may follow.

This book was a surprise after reading Wilson and Robert J Shea’s Illuminatus trilogy. This book actually is closer to a regular novel, and Wilson proves he can do characters and plotting like everyone else. He does a nice job on
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Sigismundo Celine who we see come of age and develop as an illuminatus and a young man, and he’s an engaging character. Wilson isn’t as raunchy or humorous as is in the Illuminatus trilogy (though there is humor), and the conspiracy theories don’t come as fast and furious (though we got Rossi, Mafia, Carbonari, Jacobites, and Freemasons in a few pages). Rather Wilson seems to be devoting himself to the real spiritual meaning (we have the enigmatic Alumbrado too) behind varous secret iniations, the psychology being intuitively practiced in them, the common links in the worldview behind many “secret” society philosophies. And, of course, Wilson is doing his usual job of playing with your mind, driving you to be sceptical of everything: politics, religion, reality.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1982

Physical description

385 p.; 6.8 inches

ISBN

1558021760 / 9781558021761

Local notes

FB - Gift of Frances Blaine

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