Lost's literary references

I never watched the program Lost, but I think I'd have enjoyed it -- at least judging by what I've heard around the ol' watercooler and also from Entertainment Weekly's list of books and literary references found in the show. Philip K. Dick's "VALIS?" Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle In Time?" Carroll's "Alice In Wonderland"? What's not to like! I know, I could watch the Lost DVDs. But then again, maybe it's time to crack Castaneda's "A Separate Reality." From Entertainment Weekly:

In the same way Ben was served Valis with a meal during his Dharma captivity in season 4, Sayid was given Carlos Castaneda's 1971 mystical memoir along with a sandwich during his Dharma incarceration in the season 5 outing ''He's Our You.'' His highly literate waiter? Why Young Ben, of course, who claimed to have read the book twice. Obviously, the title should be seen as foreshadowing for season 6's Sideways world storyline. Major themes in Castaneda's work include personal responsibility, transformed consciousness, and waiting patiently for life's purpose to manifest itself -- all central to Jack's season 5 spiritual transformation. Of course, Castaneda also was really big on hallucinogenic drugs, which played a role in Sayid's ''He's Our You'' story. Some people believe hallucinogenic drugs played a pivotal role in the Lost writers' room, too.

"Lost': The Essential Reading List"

• [ian71]

  My favourite LOST quote of all time is still: “It’s about bunnies!!” Also not the happiest of reads.

• [Anonymous]

  Castaneda’s books are still debated whether they’re true or not, but it doesn’t matter; they’re absolutely amazing to read. I’ve just started reading the series a second time myself. But don’t start with ‘A Separate Reality,’ start at the beginning: The teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui way of knowledge.

  • [querent]

    “Castaneda’s books are still debated whether they’re true or not, but it doesn’t matter”

    Agreed. I feel the same way about the Bible and similar books.

• [newtomato]

  There’s a group on GoodReads devoted to the literature of Lost: Flight 815ers Unite.

  I read Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge” because Jacob was reading it in last season’s finale. Not a happy read, that.

• [jaythor]

  I was just talking to someone about books mentioned in LOST yesterday… for a more complete list check the lostpedia page.

• [Anonymous]

  What about the graphic novel Y: the last man which Hurly is seen with while bording the Angira flight back to the island?

• [Anonymous]

  no, hallucinogenic drugs do wonderful and awesome things to you (and your creativity), and while I’ve never watched Lost, from what my friends say about the writing and end, I can only assume the writers were on crack, not hallucinogens.

  That said, what’s up with the guy (girl?) in the photo who clearly looks like Daniel Radcliffe / Harry Potter?

• [emmyymme]

  Thanks for the reminder about ‘A Wrinkle in Time’. My elementary school teacher would read a bit of those books to us each day – a great memory.

• [Anonymous]

  I never watched the series either, but I love that it’s clearly a library book (call number sticker on the lower spine).

• [hairBear]

  Wasn’t Castaneda completely debunked as a fake a few years back by his PhD advisors (or someone similarly important), who admitted to bowing to book sales? (a quick google comes up with a ton of hits)