Caverns

With the notable exception of the Bible (which, after all, is in a class by itself), few good books have been written by committee. This novel, a collaborative effort on the part of Ken Kesey's University of Oregon writing class, is a rare exception. The story, set in the 1930s, relates the quixotic adventures of a motley group of explorers in search of a major archaeological find. The pilgrims include Charles Loach, an ex-con spiritualist; Dogeye, his recluse brother; a Mormon terrorist; a renegade priest; two clairvoyant sisters; a has-been reporter; a movie producer; an anthropophobic archaeologist; a pregnant woman; a veteran suffering the effects of mustard gas; and an armadillo. A fun read, full of daring deeds and theosophical claptrap, this novel will appeal to all Indiana Jones fans.