Customer Reviews

Paranoia

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As somebody who at one time performed extensive study into the possibilities of such things as shadow governments, Freemason agendas, and so-called 'conspiracy theories', I can remember more than once thinking to myself ... what if it were all true?

The fact is, it's practically impossible to know which bits of information or disinformation on these subjects are valid, no matter how much hard research you do and no matter how many 'experts' you speak to. Yet inevitably, when you are faced with a mountain of facts and testimonies and the convoluted histories of such mysterious groups as the 'Knights Templar', that one nagging question will always pop into your head, time and again ... what if it were all true? It's probably not. But what if it WERE?

This, it seems, is the simple lever that DiLouie uses as a fulcrum to attempt to move the world -- or in this case, our preconceptions about 'conspiracies', and about the likelihood that a handful of powerful men could influence the fate of billions. To do this, he starts with an 'Everyday Joe' in a small town, somebody we either already know or may be ourselves, and he turns this man's life upside-down ... and in doing so, turns us as readers upside-down as well. Then he does it again. And again. Until, by the closing epiphany, we -- like the main character -- have no idea which way is up any more.

In the end, by the time you have feverishly flipped through the pages of this compelling and informative novel -- at each turn wondering what could possibly happen next -- you may or may not believe in 'conspiracy theories' any more than you did when you started. But you will certainly be entertained. And even more certainly, those two seductive words will continue to resonate in your thoughts for days and even weeks afterward ... as you watch the news ... as you walk past your neighbor's door ... as you check your e-mail ...

WHAT IF???

Paranoia is a taut, compelling read from start to finish. The narrator, Chad Carver, is an ordinary guy who's pulled into a nightmare world of conspiracy theories. When his long missing brother Palmer re-enters his life and tells him that the Illuminati, an immensely powerful group of conspirators, are about to kill the president and then committ further atrocities against the population, Chad must decide whether or not to believe him. Paranoia weaves many fascinating facts about actual conspiracies into the plot, enticing readers to do their own research. The novel is aptly named, for Dilouie manages to capture the essence of that state --the reader, like Chad, has no idea until the final pages who or what is to be believed. Readers of The Illuminatus Trilogy (by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea) will especially appreciate this book, though it's also a good introduction to the intriguing but frightening realm of conspiracy theories.

Wow! Are you ever wondering what am I going to do next? This is the book that makes you think that. What are they going to do next? DiLouie puts so much doubt in you as to which person is right or wrong or telling the truth. You will not know who did what till the end. If you figure this out before it is all over, then you are a psychic.
Also, the characters seem like everyday people. It sucks you in and makes you think, this could be me! Enjoy.

First off, this is a great story -- it's tight and well-written, easy to read and hard to put down. DiLouie puts you into the action with a no-nonsense but descriptive style and the plot gets you thinking but is twisty enough that it doesn't lead you to the conclusion until you've reached it. I enjoyed the character development (or breakdown, depending on how you view it) and his "action" scenes were pretty darned good, too.

Second, the topic is fun -- dark, but fun. The historical perspective about conspiracy theories and theorists that DiLouie inserts throughout the book is absolutely fascinating, even for those of us trusting souls who think Oswald acted alone. (The CIA made me say that!)

I enjoyed this book very much! I read it through in one sitting and plan on going back again in a week or so to see what I missed. I strongly recommend this book!

Synopsis adapted from the back cover: Chad Carvers, an orderly working at a mental hospital, knows all about conspiracy theories thanks to some of the more paranoid patients--dark fantasies about black helicopters, thought control, international bankers and secret U.N. armies. He happily dismisses them as insane until exposed to a fantastic two-thousand-year-old conspiracy that is at first titillating, then dangerous, as his brother Palmer--who claims to be a renegade from the biggest secret society of all, the Illuminati--predicts that the President will be assassinated in three days. When this actually happens, Chad plunges headfirst into Palmer's dark world where conspiracies are formed to fight conspiracies, where reality changes according to belief, and where even conspiracy theorists are agents of the Illuminati. When Chad learns that he must kill for his new beliefs, the line between fantasy and reality disappears. Because Palmer has told him that the Illuminati are about to release a biological weapon, and if he kills the Grand Master of the Illuminati, the world will be saved from holocaust and dictatorship. Or so the theory goes...

From start to finish, DiLouie tells an exciting story and provides a balanced view of conspiracy theorists along with great insights about human belief. It also showed me what all the fuss is about with conspiracy theories--the factual info about real government conspiracies in American history scared me as much as the fiction. As for the plot it kept me turning pages, guessing, and being surprised. (Whether you believe in ghosts or not, PARANOIA is a great trip to a haunted house.) (...)

I love the idea of the book as I am drawn in by some of these theories. The author did a good job with grabing you early and not letting go. The book was very fast paced and I finished it quickly, a real page turner. The only issue that I had with the book is I thought the story unraveled too quickly and I had it figured out early.

This was a fun read and very "movie" like.

This is an excellent book. I usually have no patience for conspiracy theories, but this book drew me right on in. Beautifully written, scared the hell out of me.

Quite a good book- just finished the other day. Very
thought provoking, but from a different perspective,
one that says to the reader, "I'm going to make You a
conspiracy theorist...". It's almost as though this
is the type of book that would replace the book for
the people who always need The Catcher in the Rye, in
that it truly touches the reader, and brings out a new
enlightenment on life, even for those who are
conspiracy theorists. The spooks who needed Catcher as their safe-haven, does this novel bring out that feeling, emotion, and security blanket? We will see...

The way Chuck Palahnuik is the master of generation Z cultural breakdown, DiLouie's in his game w/ mental psychosis vs the omnipotent benovelent big-brother. Is the little voice in your head an enemy, a friend, or just something implanted by the Illuminati. In life, there are no good guys and there are no bad guys..beyond being circumstancial, its the side that keeps you alive. And after reading this, its just a little more difficult to take "democracy" for granted. This book is a mandatory wake up call. The world is not the Disneyland themepark you've been told it is. Question everything. Follow nothing. Paranoia is OPENING-YOUR-EYES 101. Submission to the system is the weapon of the oppressor. A bit too fanatical? I think not nearly fanatical enough.

DiLouie has done it again. I love this guy. From the development of his characters to the concisely planned twists, turns and "gotcha"'s, this book is first class. This book is destined for film.