A novel similar to Lost TV series?

[feignfeign]

I was a big fan of Lost during its early days (season 1 and 2). Its mysterious and tense atmosphere, its character development, its situations that tittered back and forth between the supernatural and reality that kept you guessing; i loved it all.

I was wondering if their was a novel similar in setting or feel to Lost that you can recommend

[Mr Endon]

Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman. At least one episode was directly based upon it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Policeman#Lost), and some of the show's mysteries in general seem to be at least inspired by the novel. It is an excellent read, probably the best surprise I had so far this year.

[Gustavo L.]

Maybe The Invention of Morel by Bioy Casares.

From Amazon: "The Island of Doctor Moreau inspired this 1940 novella. Set on a mysterious island, The Invention of Morel is a story of suspense and exploration as well as an unlikely romance, where every detail is both crystal clear and deeply mysterious. "

I've read somewhere that Lost was indeed inspired by the book to some degree.

[feignfeign]

Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman. At least one episode was directly based upon it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Policeman#Lost), and some of the show's mysteries in general seem to be at least inspired by the novel. It is an excellent read, probably the best surprise I had so far this year.

thanks for the suggestion. I went out and bought the book today. I read the first chapter and so far it seems like a murder story with a bit of a starical undertone, but i am thinking as the story progresses it will become more.. whats the word, bizarre, which is what i am looking forward to :)



Maybe The Invention of Morel by Bioy Casares.

From Amazon: "The Island of Doctor Moreau inspired this 1940 novella. Set on a mysterious island, The Invention of Morel is a story of suspense and exploration as well as an unlikely romance, where every detail is both crystal clear and deeply mysterious. "

I've read somewhere that Lost was indeed inspired by the book to some degree.

will check this book out after i finish the third policeman.


Anybody else know a good, chilling, brain teasing, bizarre novel?

[billl]

i'm gonna go out on a limb. first, though, let me say that i went out and looked for the other two recommended books today, but couldn't find them (at used book stores). i really want to check out the 3rd Policeman, I've heard of that one before...

ok, here's my recommendation: London Fields, by Martin Amis.

it doesn't resemble lost, as far as setting goes, and i can't say it has as many surprises and twists and turns. but when i read it, i was simultaneously in the dark and excited about what was going on. the narrative structure is pretty post-modern (sometimes kind of meta-fictiony). the characters are bizarre (and hilariously rendered). it's brutal, sad, pathetic, and all sorts of negative things--but the writing is really smart, complex, and sometimes, it was the funniest book i have ever read. it blew my mind, that book.

I really liked the first couple of seasons of Lost, too, and i really enjoyed the next 3 seasons as well, can't wait till season 6. London Fields is not like Lost, I guess, except for maybe a similar concern for the question of 'fate'. But it appealed to me in kind of the same way Lost does. There's a lot of both depth and mood in this book. Read the Intro Note and the first few pages in the book store, and see if you want to keep reading.

[Mr Endon]

Don't mention it. And don't you worry, its 'bizarreness' kicks in in the second chapter.

'Good, chilling, brain teasing, bizarre novel'? That's a perfect description of Kafka.
I'd read the obligatory 'The Metamorphosis', it's rather short (a novella), a must-read for anyone interested in 20th century literature, and very representative of his outlook and style.
As for the novels, I've only read 'The Trial', which isn't as grotesque but every bit as chilling and brain teasing.
'In the Penal colony' is also a great short story which I'm sure you'd like, but the most bizarre Kafka story I've read has to be 'The Country Doctor', it's like 5 pages long and has all the right elements to upset your brain (and stomach).

[billl]

good call on the kafka, mr. endon.

but there isn't too much sunshine in kafka (nor in London Fields, actually, but LF did make me laugh out loud). LOST is actually sort of optimistic. it's not all rainbows and moonbeams, but it doesn't keep hitting the 'things suck or have no purpose' buttons like a lot of other bizarre movies and books tend to do. that's the most special thing about the show, mood-wise, for me.

[Mr Endon]

Thanks, billl, and of course your point is well taken - I must admit I don't follow Lost, nor do I know more about it than what my friends revel in explaining to me (that is to say, quite a lot).

Aye, Kafka's pretty bleak. My reaction to much of 'The Metamorphosis' is to laugh (like when Samsa, upon finding out what he's turned into, is prompted to say something to the effect of 'Now how the hell am I supposed to get to work?'); The Trial and 'In the Penal Colony', admittedly, are much less so.

EDIT: Well then, if you're looking for bizarre and funny, besides from the obvious The Third Policeman, I'd suggest Daniil Kharms (his collection of shorts called Incidences is, as I've said so often here, hilarious). Plain nonsense if you take it at face value, thought provoking if you think about what the stories' Dadaist world view entails.

[billl]

danlil kharms, eh...? hmmmm.... incidences, good title.... hilarious? hmmmmm..... can't wait! sounds like it won't be in the used bookstores, though.

thanks for the recommendation! no telling which one i'll run into first, though. (c'mon 3rd policeman!!!)

[feignfeign]

Don't mention it. And don't you worry, its 'bizarreness' kicks in in the second chapter.

'Good, chilling, brain teasing, bizarre novel'? That's a perfect description of Kafka.
I'd read the obligatory 'The Metamorphosis', it's rather short (a novella), a must-read for anyone interested in 20th century literature, and very representative of his outlook and style.
As for the novels, I've only read 'The Trial', which isn't as grotesque but every bit as chilling and brain teasing.
'In the Penal colony' is also a great short story which I'm sure you'd like, but the most bizarre Kafka story I've read has to be 'The Country Doctor', it's like 5 pages long and has all the right elements to upset your brain (and stomach).

haha yes. just got to the second chapter. Starting to really pick up. One thing that is confusing me though, what exactly is a automatic manure ring that the book keeps referring to? is it some kind of Irish lingo that i am not understanding or is this something that hasn't been talked of yet that will begin to unravel later. If its the latter, please don't tell me :)

I will be sure to check out your other suggestions


i'm gonna go out on a limb. first, though, let me say that i went out and looked for the other two recommended books today, but couldn't find them (at used book stores). i really want to check out the 3rd Policeman, I've heard of that one before...

ok, here's my recommendation: London Fields, by Martin Amis.

it doesn't resemble lost, as far as setting goes, and i can't say it has as many surprises and twists and turns. but when i read it, i was simultaneously in the dark and excited about what was going on. the narrative structure is pretty post-modern (sometimes kind of meta-fictiony). the characters are bizarre (and hilariously rendered). it's brutal, sad, pathetic, and all sorts of negative things--but the writing is really smart, complex, and sometimes, it was the funniest book i have ever read. it blew my mind, that book.

I really liked the first couple of seasons of Lost, too, and i really enjoyed the next 3 seasons as well, can't wait till season 6. London Fields is not like Lost, I guess, except for maybe a similar concern for the question of 'fate'. But it appealed to me in kind of the same way Lost does. There's a lot of both depth and mood in this book. Read the Intro Note and the first few pages in the book store, and see if you want to keep reading.

Not sure if you live in the U.S but if you do, check out your local Barnes and Nobles. They had multiple copies at my store. Costs $13.

I haven't kept up with Lost lately, at a certain point i lost interest in the series. I think i will get back into it soon enough though. I think i have heard that the series is planned to end 2009-2010? does that mean season 6 is the last one?

[billl]

yes, season 6 is the last AND they (the writers) have managed to keep 5 seasons of bizarreness holding together in such a way that they have every chance in the world of pulling off a miracle and tying a ton of weirdness into tidy knots and making an interesting comment on "life" with the final season. they might screw it up, but i am way beyond doubting them after what they've managed to do this last season.

stay away from reviews, synopses, etc. just pick up where you left off, and be prepared to forgive maybe 3 or 4 episodes in a row of mediocrity/set-up, every season or two. Whenever the show starts to waste a little energy in setting things up, you can be sure there'll be quite an acceleration into beauty and weirdness that more than makes up for it.

well, don't listen to me, don't get too hyped up. but stay away from 'spoilers', in case you do give it another shot.

[General Urko]

Few more suggestions for you:

You might enjoy The Man Who Was Thursday by GK Chesterton. Also, if you liked the time travel aspects of the last couple seasons (particularly the episode where Desmond is bouncing around in different periods of his life) check out Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Also, on a bit more of a superficial similarity (the plane crash, surviving on the island, etc), Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

[bounty]

feign, im going out on a limb here because ive not seen the tv show in question but the first thing i thought of when i read your question was jules verne's the mysterious island. and i wonder if the lost world by conan doyle would work for you?

[spookymulder93]

2nd best show EVER!

I'm looking into this A separate Reality book by this Castaneda dude.

[Heteronym]

Although The Invention of Morel is a good recommendation, I'd say Bioy Casares' A Plan for Escape is even better for a Lost fan, since it actually deals with a man who actively wants to get out of an island.

[johnnywalkitoff]

I've heard Jeff Van der Meer's Annihilation (first part of a trilogy) is very much like Lost...and I can't vouch for O'Brien's The Third Policemn...it's Alice is Wonderland by way of swift and some of the best prose ever...great ****ing book

[Pike Bishop]

Texts similar to Lost:

1. Ubik by Philip K. Dick
2. Tea from an Empty Cup--Pat Cadigan
3. Weiland by Charles Brockden Brown
4. The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick
5. "We Can Remember it Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick
6. "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis, Tertius" by Jorge Luis Borges
7. "The Garden of Forking Paths" by Jorge Luis Borges
8. New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
9. Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster

[mortalterror]

Knowing postmodernism, there has to be a novel that's one unexplained thing after another which abruptly ends without answering any of the questions it raised.

[Poetaster]

And knowing Lost, it should be god-awful. :)

[Eiseabhal]

Lost! Huh it rambled on didn't it. The writers hadn't much of a clue how to bring it to a conclusion. It was about creating an addiction. Pushers. Yup!

[Pike Bishop]

Lost was a brilliant masterpiece that developed and sustained a complexity of plot and profundity of theme in a way few novels and no other television shows have been able to do. As to its conclusion, it was successful and fine, if not perfect. It is impossible to fully conclude a metaphysical text of numerous realitie--e.g. Ubik--without either spoiling its metaphysical mystery. So, those who wanted a clear "answer" at the end simply had irrational expectations. The show did an excellent job of clarifying the significance of the Dharma initiative and the others, the significance of Jacob and Smoke man, and the allegorical "Church" finale made it clear they had all undergone a purgatorial experience and were moving on to the next "plane." That's a sound ending to a remarkable series.

[Pompey Bum]

Sometimes I wish this site had a laugh track.

[Poetaster]

Sometimes I wish this site had a laugh track.

Funnily, I was just thinking the same thing. :D

[Pike Bishop]

Sometimes I wish this site had a laugh track.

I made an exception to your being on my ignore list and viewed your post since I had a feeling you would be commenting on my post. I have to say, Pompey, it's exactly the type of well-supported and complex "critique" I expected from you. Thanks for confirming my views of your critical abilities...;)

[Calidore]

The writers of Lost have since admitted that a great deal of the details people pore over were made up on the fly.

[Poetaster]

The writers of Lost have since admitted that a great deal of the details people pore over were made up on the fly.

I can't honestly say I'm surprised.