The Philosopher's Stone

By: Colin Wilson

Narrated by: Roger L. Jackson

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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, harmless operation on the brain's 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 18th century and Shakespeare's 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 it 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 Lovecraft's publisher August Derleth daring Wilson to write one better. This novel The Philosopher's Stone (1969) was the result of a fascinating blend of science fiction, horror, and philosophy, told within the framework of Lovecraft's mythos.

Praise for the 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 Wilson's best novel to date." (The Spectator)

©1969 Colin Wilson (P)2020 Valancourt Books LLC

Great narration of a classic

The story itself won't be to everyone's taste, being a unique blend of pulp-era sci-fi and Lovecraftian horror that gets off to a very slow start. But the narration is superb. I couldn't recommend this narrator more highly.

terrible

Pseudo-intellectual nonsense.
And, boring. Too bad Audible won't let me return it. This book is painful.

Problematic depiction of women

I read both of Colin Wilson novels “the mind parasites” and “the philosopher stone” years ago. I remember liking them. Both use HP Lovecraft Cthulhu mythos as the basics of existential ruminations on the power of the mind.

In the past few weeks I listened to both of the audio novels. As I started “The Mind Parasites” I didn’t recognize the story at all. I kept wondering if I had purchased the wrong audiobook. Finally about midway through when Wilson finally introduced the Lovecraft element it felt more familiar. The idea of “great old one” that may destroy mankind. is chilling. But the ending suffers from the same problem as other Lovecraft stories - the narrator becomes so in awe of the horror of the old ones, he practically becomes a worshipper.

Another major problem is the depiction of women. In this novel women fair a little better than in “The Mind Parasites” but not much. There’s only one named female character and the narrator is most impressed with her position as a mother. The only other woman that I can remember is an airline stewardess that the narrator mentally undressed with his telepathy. Both these views are not very enlightened.