The Philosopher's Stone

About this book

An important literary achievement. - Library Journal Colin Wilson has a narrative style that can make the pursuit of any idea seem like exciting detective work. - The Times Colin Wilsons best novel to date. - The Spectator Howard Lester a young scientist becomes obsessed with the problem of death and begins a series of unconventional experiments aimed at increasing human longevity. In the course of their research Lester and his friend Sir Henry Littleway make a startling discovery: a simple and harmless operation on the brains prefrontal cortex results in vastly expanded consciousness and mental powers. After undergoing the procedure themselves Lester and Littleway develop remarkable abilities including time vision a means of seeing backwards into time. They begin by looking at the relatively recent past-the eighteenth century and Shakespeares England. But they soon find they can see much further back to the days of Stonehenge and the Mayans and even earlier. . . . But as they get closer to uncovering the beginnings of human existence they make a terrifying discovery: something ancient and immensely powerful long asleep has been awakened by their activities and is determined to stop them at all costs. . . . In The Strength to Dream (1962) Colin Wilson had criticized the works of H.P. Lovecraft the American writer of weird tales which led to Lovecrafts publisher August Derleth daring Wilson to write one better. This novel The Philosophers Stone (1969) was the result a fascinating blend of science fiction horror and philosophy told within the framework of Lovecrafts mythos. This edition is newly typeset from the first British edition and features a new introduction by Wilson scholar and bibliographer Colin Stanley.