37 pages 1 hour read

Richard Bach

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1977

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Chapters 16-19 and Epilogue

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 16 Summary

Richard and Don visit a hardware store because Richard needs bolts for his plane. Don does not need anything because his plane is always in a magically pristine condition. Don plays a beautiful song on a toy guitar, and Richard and the hardware clerk are very impressed. Don tells Richard anyone can play an instrument if they give up their inhibitions and give themselves permission to play. Richard finds out that Don never took flying lessons, he just jumped into an airplane one day and flew. Richard accuses Don of not having a license, and Don makes a license appear out of thin air. The two men share a joke and a laugh.

Chapter 17 Summary

Don appears on a radio show hosted by Jeff Sykes. Jeff asks Don questions, and Don responds using his philosophies and ideas on perceived reality and the Is. People call in to the radio program and condemn Don for his unusual beliefs. One man calls Don the antichrist and threatens to shoot him. He is uncomfortable letting his children listen to what Don is saying. Don is unaffected by the criticism and continues to discuss what he knows. Richard is concerned because Jeff told everyone where their planes are, but Richard does not leave his friend.

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By Richard Bach

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Richard Bach

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Richard Bach