Illusions
The adventures of a reluctant Messiah
by Richard Bach · first published 1977
79% recommend21% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Short, funny, thoughtful fable about a reluctant messiah and choosing who you want to be. Readers reread it, notice new things each time, and give copies away; it suits anyone open to spiritual, reflective reading.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Wonderfully written, a glimpse into faith, self-reliance and friendship, witty and thought provoking. Barnstorming pilot meets a messianic man who has misgivings about his purpose. His scripture is captured in a greasy spiral bound notebook and he changes the lives of all he meets.
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Just read this recently, on loan from a neighbor. If you like that, you may like the works of Richard Bach, especially Illusions.
on “Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?” ↗Illusions - Richard Bach It's about choosing the identity you want, and accepting all the beauty that the choice allows.
on “Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?” ↗…surroundings change, situations change...so would it be with books that have changed us or influenced us. I'll leave you here not with a book, but with one tiny piece of one tiny book: The first chapter of "Illusions" by Richard Bach. As with other fantastic works that others have listed here, a distinguishing factor about these impactful or "life changing" works is that you can re-read them countless times and benefit…
on “Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?” ↗Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. By Richard Bach. Well written, funny, thoughtful.
on “Ask HN: What’s your favorite book that almost nobody else knows or talks about?” ↗- Illusions by Richard Bach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusions_(Bach_novel) - The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. Disclaimer: this book is seriously woo woo new age junk with recycled western and eastern…
on “Ask HN: Which is the best spiritual book you have read?” ↗Illusions - adventures of a reluctant messiah by Richard Bach Jonathan Livingston seagull. Same author
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗Illusions by Richard Bach. I notice something new everytime - a far cry from when my mom told me to read it, and I read the back and cringed. I've given away so many copies now.
on “Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more?” ↗…hallucinogens in my younger years and had a few key trips that really framed life and reality for me. Rather than attempt to explain and fumble it, I'll point you to another book that does a better job of it: Illusions by Richard Bach.
on “Ask HN: Who is the happiest person you know?” ↗Both of these are quick, easy reads. Don't read about the plots ahead of time. Replay by Ken Grimwood: https://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/068816112X Illusions by Richard Bach: https://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Adventures-Reluctant-Richar... --- Bonus: Anything by Kevin Kelly. He always seemed to be over-hyped by influencers, so I avoided his work for the longest…
on “Ask HN: Thought-Provoking Books” ↗Illusions, by Richard Bach.
on “Ask HN: What is your comfort book?” ↗Illusions, by Richard Bach The Egg, by Andy Weir
on “Ask HN: What are some good inspirational and uplifting books?” ↗You can often get bulk discounts on books from the publisher. My Dad was very fond of Richard Bach's "Illusions" when it came out, So he bought several cases over the next couple years, to give out copies to people. I've never bought cases, but I've given away "spare" copies of numerous titles I'm fond of. There's…
on “Ask HN: Which book do you keep asking people to read?” ↗Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance Godel Escher Bach Time enough for love - Heinlein Illusions -Richard Bach A wrinkle in time Stranger from the depths Sidartha and all the other books by Hess Zen MInd Beginners mind MOre to come Books by Bradbury Books by asimov Just starting Antifragile and…
on “Ask HN: What are the most thought-provoking books that you have read?” ↗Get a copy of Richard Bach's "Illusions". Go for a hike somewhere beautiful, then read it in a day. Might sound like a load of crap but doing that changed my life and got my head out of the future and my heart into the present. (((((BIG HUG)))))
on “Ask HN: My company has been acquired and I'm kicked out. What should I do now?” ↗jonathan Livinsgton Seagull and Illusions Both by Richard Bach were very influential in my late twenties. In mY thirties I was glad I found Mastery by George Leonard. All three of them less than 100 pages to close to 100 pages.
on “Ask HN: Book under 100 pages that changed your life the most?” ↗