This is the parallel text to The Soft Machine and Nova Express. But the qualities of these two almost unreadable but awesome works of art are only partly presented here. It shows that Burroughs did a lot of rewriting on this one, the repitions seem not all intended, and what he added to or changed in the original, which would have been a beautiful further view in the repelling cut up universe, undermines the visionary character of the trilogy. Technical prose about recorders and idealistic musings about what you can do with them makes this book sound dated. The idea itself, revolving around a prerecorded universe and how to unrecord it, is essential, but it gets a too political and too oneminded unhumorous treatment here and there. Where he can be such a laugh if he tries. The attacker of preachers falls prey to preaching. But then this turning into your own enemy is inherent to his work. Those who haven't yet read the first two novels of the cut up trilogy should start there, although there is no chronological need to do so. In the end you will have to read this as well, if you come as far. The hypnotising power of the trilogy shines through despite 'the dr frankenstein goes for recorders' pasages.