The Masters of Atlantis - by Charles Portis (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Masters of Atlantis is a cockeyed journey into an America of misfits and con men, oddballs, and innocents, by one of America's most respected novelists, #1 New York Times bestselling author Charles Portis.

"One of the few laugh-out-loud novels I've read." --Conan O'Brien

Lamar Jimmerson is the leader of the Gnomon Society, the international fraternal order dedicated to preserving the arcane wisdom of the lost city of Atlantis. Stationed in France in 1917, Jimmerson comes across a little book crammed with Atlantean puzzles, Egyptian riddles, and extended alchemical metaphors. It's the Codex Pappus: the sacred Gnomon text. Soon he is basking in the lore of lost Atlantis, convinced that his mission on Earth is to administer to and extend the ranks of the noble brotherhood.

Charles Portis wrote five novels, and this is his penultimate. Portis is often compared to Mark Twain because, like Twain, Portis focuses on and plays with the wide range of expression found in American speech. Every character in this novel has a unique way of expressing himself, and it's clear to the reader that Portis genuinely loves each and every one of these characters and creating for them a unique vernacular.

A brilliantly comic novel, this cult classic is a masterwork of American fiction--an unforgettable portrait of idealists chasing secrets that may never have existed. For fans of True Grit or other Charles Portis novels and for readers who have yet to discover his work, a trip with Portis and Lamar Jimmerson will be great fun and full of rewards.

"A wonderful talent--original, quirky, exciting." --Larry McMurtry, author of The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment

"I've loved his work all my life--The Dog of the South is a family favorite, as is Masters of Atlantis. . . . The books are so funny that they cry to be read aloud." --Donna Tartt, author of The Goldfinch and The Secret History, in the New York Times

About the Author

Charles Portis (1933-2020) is celebrated as one of America's most distinctive and original literary voices. Best known for his classic novel True Grit, Portis combined sharp wit, deadpan humor, and a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life to create stories that are both timeless and deeply American. His novels--including Norwood, The Dog of the South, Gringos, and True Grit--have earned cult status for their offbeat characters, comic brilliance, and narrative charm.

Beyond fiction, Portis was an accomplished journalist and essayist, producing incisive reportage and cultural commentary that reveal his unmatched gift for observation and language. His collected nonfiction, short stories, and plays in Escape Velocity showcase the full range of his talent, from satirical humor to poignant reflections on American identity.

Portis's work continues to captivate readers who value originality, wit, and storytelling that transcends genre. Whether through his iconic Western or his eccentric road novels, Portis remains a writer whose voice is unmistakable and whose influence endures.