The Book of Skulls - Softcover

Silverberg, Robert

3.65

3,526 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553230573 ISBN 13: 9780553230574

Publisher: Bantam Books, 1982

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Seeking the immortality promised in an ancient manuscript, The Book of Skulls, four friends, college roommates, go on a spring break trip to Arizona: Eli, the scholar, who found and translated the book; Timothy, scion of an American dynasty, born and bred to lead; Ned, poet and cynic; and Oliver, the brilliant farm boy obsessed with death.
Somewhere in the desert lies the House of Skulls, where a mystic brotherhood guards the secret of eternal life. There, the four aspirants will present themselves and a horrific price will be demanded.
For immortality requires sacrifice. Two victims to balance two survivors. One by suicide, one by murder.
Now, beneath the gaze of grinning skulls, the terror begins. . . ."

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Review:

From 1967 to 1972, Robert Silverberg had a burst of extraordinary creativity during which he wrote most of his finest novels. The Book of Skulls (1972) is one of these. Following the cryptic manuscript which provides the title, four young men cross America in search of a forgotten Shangri-La in the cactus-ridden desert north of Phoenix, Arizona--a monastery whose adepts hold the keys of immortality and supposedly follow a tradition handed down since Atlantis.

Candidates for eternal life must present themselves at the "Skullhouse" as a foursome. The brothers are happy to provide training in their secrets (including tantric sex)--but there's a price. The Ninth Mystery in the Book of Skulls states: "Two of thee we undertake to admit to our fold. Two must go into darkness". One of those four college students must willingly commit suicide. One is fated to be murdered by his own friends.

The narrative shuttles between their viewpoints, each distinct and sharply characterised. Rich, handsome, upper-class Timothy doesn't believe in immortality and is just going along with the gag. Eli the Jewish intellectual believes passionately. Ned, who is openly gay, has his own agenda involving Oliver, a Midwestern farm boy with tortured depths who says the Skullhouse is his only hope. Each in turn undergoes an ordeal of dreadful self-knowledge, after which the impossible choice of who wins and who loses seems natural, even inevitable.

Though only marginally SF, The Book of Skulls is a fine, scarifying novel of character. Unforgettable. --David Langford

Review:

"[This] is Robert Silverberg at his very best, and when [he's] at his best, no one is better."
-George R.R. Martin
"This is, simply put, one of my favorite nightmare novels."
-Harlan Ellison, author of I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
"Flawlessly written . . . as close to poetic beauty as any contemporary science fiction novel I've ever read."
-James Blish, Hugo Award--winning author of A Case of Conscience"
"
"The Book of Skulls is a revelation-it was a masterpiece when I first read it, and remains a masterpiece to this day."
-Greg Bear, New York Times bestselling author of Darwin's Radio
"Silverberg is a master writer in any genre-and now you're going to find out why they call them 'thrillers.' "
-John Shirley, author of Demons
"Where Silverberg goes today, science fiction will follow tomorrow."
-Isaac Asimov

[This] is Robert Silverberg at his very best, and when [he s] at his best, no one is better.
George R.R. Martin
This is, simply put, one of my favorite nightmare novels.
Harlan Ellison, author of I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Flawlessly written . . . as close to poetic beauty as any contemporary science fiction novel I ve ever read.
James Blish, Hugo Award winning author of A Case of Conscience"
"
The Book of Skulls is a revelation it was a masterpiece when I first read it, and remains a masterpiece to this day.
Greg Bear, New York Times bestselling author of Darwin s Radio
Silverberg is a master writer in any genre and now you re going to find out why they call them thrillers.
John Shirley, author of Demons
Where Silverberg goes today, science fiction will follow tomorrow.
Isaac Asimov"

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