Books - The New Mind-Altering Drug

January 29th, 2007 by lynnylchan under Leisure

Have you ever read a book that totally messed with your mind, tied your brain in knots while you tried to hold on to the thread of the storylines, and finally when you were finished, made you go “What?”

You’ve just read a Christopher Priest book. He’s the genius behind “The Prestige”, which I think was the best movie I saw in 2006. I haven’t read the original novel yet, but when I’m done with Catch-22 and have some free time, that’s next on my list.

So what qualifies me to talk about Christopher Priest, if all I’ve done is watch the film adaptation of his book? Ah, this is where it gets a bit deja-vu. Several years back, I read a book review that greatly intrigued me. The storyline revolved around a pair of twins, and it promised a twisty ending. I love twisty endings. I rented the book from a local shop, and proceeded to have my mind irrevocably altered. The book was The Separation, Priest’s most recent work.

So it was quite a surprise to me to find out that I had had some previous experience of Mr Priest’s work, while I was researching The Prestige on Wikipedia. I’ve decided I rather like his stuff. It’s challenging, and smart, and sticks in your mind long after you’ve returned the book. (I rarely buy books.) I highly recommend this author if you want to experience alternate realities, and don’t mind existing in a strange depersonalized state where the world around you doesn’t seem quite real any more.

He will make you question yourself, and the answers don’t come easy.