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Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob Send a noteboard - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM
Try The Etched City by K. J. Bishop, which has a wonderfully hallucinatory feel to it, not least because the protagonist is often on hallucinogens. Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delaney is trippy to the point where I have no idea what it's about. The aforementioned Illuminatus Trilogy is brilliant as well, and The Invisibles, a comic series by Grant Morrison.

If, however, you mean "bizarre and random", you might like Carlton Mellick III, whose books have titles like Razor Wire Pubic Hair, Satan Burger, and Electric Jesus Corpse, and whose contents reflect and supercede the titles, though I've only read Razor Wire, about a prostitute robot in the future.

Here's an extract from Satan Burger:

God hates you. All of you. He closed the gates of Heaven and wants you to rot on Earth forever. Not only that, he is repossesing your souls and feeding them to a large vagina-like machine called the Walm - an interdimensional doorway that brings His New Children into the world. He loves these new children, but He doesn't love you. They are more interesting than you. They are beautiful, psychotic, magical, sex-crazed, and deadly. They are turning your cities into apocalyptic chaos, and there's nothing you can do about it ...

There's also Steve Aylett, whose Atom is fantastically weird and imaginative.

Also there's books that defy description, like House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, a postmodern horror story (maybe) The Book of All Hours By Hal Duncan, a sci-fi fantasy epic (perhaps), and The Raw shark texts by Steven Hall, about amnesia, love, and aquatic conceptual predators.

The entire body of work of Samuel Beckett falls under the absurdist tradition. I love Waiting for Godot, about to tramps trapped in a barren landscape and also, possibly, in time. And while we're at the classics, the Prophetic poems of William Blake read like the Book of Revelations, but with, in my opinion, a better moral grounding. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell is his most accessible and fun work, I think.

Finally, to answer your question; Phillip K. Dick.
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So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two - 30/08/2009 06:35:01 PM 3361 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1682 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 889 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1675 Views
Historical fiction. - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1586 Views
Patrick O'Brian - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1528 Views
You know - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1492 Views
REally? - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1770 Views
Re: REally? - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1558 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1465 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1442 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 856 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1686 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 931 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 825 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1689 Views
A couple that I enjoy - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1803 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1643 Views
These two rock. - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1612 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1327 Views
Slash, please! - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1623 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1708 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1655 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1660 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1585 Views
LOL! - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1692 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1597 Views
I haven't read that one yet - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1629 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1535 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1770 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1654 Views
The Historian - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1534 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1560 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1547 Views
Re: So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two - 30/08/2009 10:20:05 PM 1564 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1805 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1710 Views
Will do. - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1669 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1644 Views
That's good to know. *NM* - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 813 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1617 Views
I've read the first one. - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1551 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1427 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 866 Views
Dirk Gently - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1573 Views
Be careful with Rankin though - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1619 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 765 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 801 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1606 Views
The Cast In series... - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1524 Views
i've always kind of wanted to make a website that does this sorta thing - 31/08/2009 10:12:26 AM 1658 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 763 Views
Librarything does it - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1594 Views
Their system isn't great. - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1559 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1654 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1500 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 875 Views
gotta be more specific - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1552 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1427 Views
Have you read Coldfire? - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1549 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1661 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1537 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1689 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1636 Views
I really liked the magic in: - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1421 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 785 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? - 01/09/2009 12:24:01 AM 1636 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1485 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1648 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 768 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1597 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1514 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1547 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1613 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 825 Views
Stand-alone novels - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1576 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1616 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1449 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1671 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1597 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1515 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1794 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1915 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1609 Views
Pretty much. *NM* - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 802 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1459 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 747 Views
Various Recommendations - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1719 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 695 Views
Yep yep! *NM* - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 797 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 712 Views
Nope. Have you? - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1746 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 2048 Views
~holds out library card~ - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 2061 Views
~Grins like a fool~ - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1289 Views
Hehehe - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1488 Views
I remember you!! - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1446 Views
Re: I remember you!! - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1461 Views
- 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1381 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1353 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1404 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1423 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 747 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1503 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1798 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1609 Views
Well... - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1394 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1613 Views
Horror - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1502 Views
Thomas Ligotti! - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1588 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1373 Views

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