Rating: 
Summary: Mind Expanding
Review: This trilogy is structured to be the literary equivalent of quantum theory. For example, each part deals with a different potential universe, all similar to each other and our own, but with slight differences. So in one universe, for example, Carl Jung, vs. James Joyce, is the author of Ullyses (both being well versed in the same symbolism). Subplots begun in one universe are taken up in the next, like the influence of quarks. The main difference is that society in each subsequent universe is slightly more enlightened, therefore only the last Earth escapes total destruction at the hands of terrorists (or, like Schrodinger's cat, the Earth is alive, dead, or in a state of potential). Along the way, there are interesting lessons in Economics (noting, e.g., how we take money for granted as a part of society, but it isn't a necessary part of society, but just a construct), Sociology, etc. And it is filled with great, laugh out loud humour, sometimes Pythonesque. Without the help of the Illuminatus Trilogy's co-author, this book is far less literary, but it is filled with as many ideas in fewer pages. This is the best introduction to Wilson's work, fictional or non-fictional. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Reading on the Right Side of the Brain
Review: Well, here we go again. This exasperating, drop-dead funny trilogy will either drive you crazy or confuse you mercilessly or possibly both (see below), but in any case, you were asking for it. Many of the characters--and some of the plot--of "Schrodinger's Cat" derive from "Illuminatus!", which should probably be read and well-digested before tackling the sequel.Wilson was a prophet, making fun of blue-nosed anti-porn feminists long before it was cool, but also remained firmly entrenched in the times of his writing--Nixon and nuclear destruction don't pack quite the same punch in the days of Clinton and Y2K. Using his now rather shabby-seeming understanding of quantum mechanics, he wrote one book "under the influence" of the multiple-worlds model, one in which nonlocality is the ticket, and one which presumes that reality is created by observation (guess which!). It's all great fun, but ultimately not as satisfying as its predecessor.
Rating:
Summary: The Strange Changes of Schrodinger's Cat
Review: When I first encountered the Schrodinger's Cat Trilogy, it was
in the form of the original Bantam paperbacks, now out of print.
The first volume I saw, "The Universe Next Door," scared the
bejeezus out of me with its quirky way of seeing reality, so
badly that I hastily put down the book and did not explore the
works of that author again for at least five years more. The
second encounter I had was with the paperback "The Trick Top
Hat," which I bought from a used book store. It opened me up
philosophically AND sexually--it had some very explicit erotic
references. Sadly, though the full text of "The Universe Next
Door" seems to have made the journey from 3-volume paperback to
1-volume Dell softcover intact, the same cannot be said of the
erotic passages in "The Trick Top Hat." Additionally, a great
deal of the material in the original paperback "The Homing
Pigeons" does not appear in the Dell softcover . . . although
Wilson had abandoned much of the frank eroticism of the "second"
book by then. The disappearance of these words from the newer edition, and
the subsequent ventures of Wilson into being published by other,
much less well known publishers, are as mysterious to me as the
enigmas of Rennes-le-Chateau and the life of Sir Francis Dash-
wood. The Dell trade paperback version does not really suffer
in its creative genius by losing those many passages. But it
is simply inexplicable to me why they are not there.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as The Illumintus Trilogy
Review: While not quite as good as the first trilogy, this one still deserves at least five stars. Insitghtful without being a sermon. Thought provoking without being too heavy. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: A sequel that actually equals the original!
Review: While the Illuminatus was a confusing, lsd-induced ride through time and various viewpoints, Schroedinger's Cat streamlines the POV shifts. Obviously Robert Shea's part in the first volume added a certain "fuzziness" to the narrative. Wilson writing alone is easier to follow. The book follows movement between universes as the previous ones are destroyed every hundred pages or so. The only constant: a dismembered penis that once belonged to a man who underwent a sex change operation. Men become women, women become men, and scientists do whatever they please. Brilliant, daring, the words are not sufficient to describe this masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite
Review: Wilson's best fiction book, I think. A perennial favorite, worth re-reading every couple of years. Every evolving creature needs its special, high-energy diet. This feeds certain glyphophage glands in the higher brain. Enjoy in excess.
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