R. A. Lafferty Books

Not only one of my two favorite books of all time, but also a 20th century novel written for the subsequent century. The most vivid characters I've ever encountered, a brilliant insight into the nature of artificial intelligence and cosmology... and a barrel of laughs.

I love this book!

R. A. Lafferty was a one-of-a-kind author of science fantasy. This is perhaps my favorite of his books. I highly recommend it.

"R. A. Lafferty, who died at 87 on March 18, was undoubtedly the finest writer of whatever it was that he did that ever there was. He was a genius..."

So said Neil Gaiman, himself an accomplished writer. Well, Lafferty's work does have unique features, and the man certainly knew what it was that he did. Reading "Arrive at Easterwine", I often felt that it was strikingly original, even by Lafferty's standards. Now it is one of my favourite novels, along with The Devil is Dead, Fourth Mansions, and Past Master.

The novel is in the form of a journal written by Epikt, a conscious machine. Epikt alternates between the past and the present, as he tells about his own history and the history of the Institute for Impure Science, and about the present, and almost present, happenings. However, dialogue is often employed, and there is much varieted, often hilarious, action going on in the book.

But describing what happens in a Lafferty novel, wouldn't give an idea about what REALLY happens in a Lafferty novel, while analyzing a Lafferty novel is exhausting and perhaps besides the point. Suffice it to say that Lafferty twists and warps surface reality to reveal inner truths.

Just be open to symbols and a bit of surrealism, and read the book!

Arrive at Easterwine is either fiendishly good or criminally terrible. It would take multiple readings to truly know for sure. On its surface, Arrive is about the creation of a supercomputer, with self-awareness and tasked with three problems: find true leadership, find true love, and find the true shape of the universe. The narrative style is reminiscent of Russia's Olesha, or perhaps a William Faulkner with talent. One can never be sure if the events being related are "real" or are merely metaphor. The machine itself, Epikt, drives this home somewhat early on. Just when the reader is about to throw the book down in disgust over characters becoming "tigers" and eating "goats", Epikt declares, "You know, don't you, that there aren't *really* tigers, this is just a metaphor that perhaps has gone on too long" (my paraphrase). This blurring between "real" and metaphor, with lots of unique turns of phrase, make Arrive at Easterwine a challenging read, which not everyone will have the energy to get through. And, I can't say that it is worth the effort. It may very well be - I'm still scratching my head about it three days after I finished - but only repeat readings will truly tell the tale.

This is the oddest, most wonderful book ever written about the Institute of Impure Research, snow crystals, King Peter of Ganymede, hunting tigers, and the fellahin. It contains multitudes.