Masters of Atlantis Audiobook

" First 100 pages or so were humorous - then the joke became old. "

" Until I got around to reading True Grit, this was my favorite Charles Portis book. It's typical of his other books (except True Grit) in that a simpleton finds himself in unusual circumstances surrounded by more simpletons. "

" killer hilarious. I miss Squanto. "

" This is one of the funniest books I have ever read, a dead perfect parody of Freemasonry and other lodge-based secret societies. You don't have to be a Mason to appreciate Portis's wit and fantastic writing, though. This is one that I keep trying to get others to read. It's fantastic! "

" This is another great one by Portis. The emphasis here is not on what secret knowledge supposedly is held in the "Codex Pappus" or by the Gnomon brotherhood, but on the quirkiness and obsessions of the secret society founders. Jimmerson, Babcock, Hen and Popper begin their secret society amidst the greatest conflict of the twentieth-century, WWII. However, they have little concern or interest in the war or, actually anything resembling reality. It is this obsession with so-called Telluric Currents (from Atlantis), secret handshakes, cloaked rituals and wearing of ridiculous outfits that Portis concentrates on. I've read four of Portis' five novels, and I rank this one fourth, in this order: True Grit, The Dog of the South, Norwood and Masters of Atlantis. There's even a cameo mention of a now three-hundred pound Dr. Reo Symes (from The Dog of the South). Portis has a knack for these kinds of characters and he reaches a pinnacle with Masters of Atlantis. Highly recommended. "

" Preposterous, absurd, amusing... I like Charles Portis a lot. The characters in Masters of Atlantis didn't grab me like the peanut gallery in his other books, but the comic adventures were grand. "

" This was nicely absurd, with characters as quirky as Ignatius Reilly, but never caused me to laugh out loud. Or even snort. Or even really smirk. "

" Masters of Atlantis is supposed to be a spoof on various secret societies in which "other people" participate. The main character, Lamar Jimmerson (an American)is a recently-discharged WWI vet who is swindled by a man who gives him a book, the "Codex Pappus," which is supposed to contain the collective wisdom of Atlantis, and for $200.00, allows him admission to the secret Gnomon society. Although the swindler is never seen again, Jimmerson, with Sydney Hen(an Englishman), starts a American branch of the Gnomon Society in which the swindler becomes a legendary figure, and the Codex Pappus, becomes the society's holy text. While many reviewers thought this book was hilarious,it didn't make me laugh. Its only purpose seemed to be to polk fun at people who Portis perceives to be fools, without offering anything insightful or redeeming about them, and the ease with which he filleted them suggested that the author enjoyed using his knife a little too much. "

" Wasn't motivated to finish this, even though it was an amusing take on goofy, quasi-religious secret societies. Brought to mind Fanny Trollope's commentary on silly American sects. "

" Long on farce, short on funny (though there were a handful of laughs and a dozen good lines). "

" Fans of The Crying of Lot 49, The Confederacy of Dunces, and the works of Charles Fort will enjoy this secret history of the Gnomon Society amongst America's misfits, innocents, and con-men. "

" Silly and unfunny, it's hard to believe that this is the work of the author of True Grit. "

" Conical hats play a big role in this hilarious book. Should be much more well known. Recommended for people who like "Confederacy of Dunces" and not just because that calls to mind a conical hat too. Recommended for people who like comedy, atheism. "

" Funny and sweet and full of life. I was riding my bike around Key West and a first edition of this caught my eye. It was $2 and I gave it to my friend Johnny. My copy is still being "borrowed" after three years by Benzler. Help! "

" This was pretty good, I liked the part where they were growing some plant to harvest gold "

" My least favorite Portis book, but that's relative and nonetheless I think of it often, so it's probably better than I thought. "

" This may be the funniest book I've ever read. "

" Simply the funniest book ever written. period. "

" Charles Portis has a sense of humor that rivals Kurt Vonnegut. Everyone should read this book. "

" Quite possibly the funniest book I've ever read. "

" Makes one feel foolish for ever believing in anything ever, and yet still fun to read. ?????? (Greg shakes his puny fist at Portis while yelling his name threateningly.) "

" Not a riotous read, yet comical through every page. "

" This was a great book - I loved it "

" Brilliant, hilarious and sad "

" Simply wonderful. Everyone in this book believes in arcane knowledge or conspiracies or secrets hidden in the numbers or angles around us. My favorite scene is a Texas legislative hearing that mocks Joe McCarthy and his crew. "

" Silly and unfunny, it's hard to believe that this is the work of the author of True Grit. "

" Fans of The Crying of Lot 49, The Confederacy of Dunces, and the works of Charles Fort will enjoy this secret history of the Gnomon Society amongst America's misfits, innocents, and con-men. "

" Funny, sardonic, but not very compelling. "

" Long on farce, short on funny (though there were a handful of laughs and a dozen good lines). "

" Not a riotous read, yet comical through every page. "