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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Written during PKD's most prolific phase during the 1960s and among his minor novels, 'The Penultimate Truth' follows a group of people who are led to believe the surface world is uninhabitable following a devastating war; perpetuated by powerful people above.
This short novel encapsulates a lot of PKD's signature themes: paranoia, false realities, and ordinary people struggling against totalitarian governments and powerful corporations.
While not his best work for me personally, you can certainly see how many things which have come after, such as the popular 'Silo' series, have been inspired by Dick's work here. Indeed if you liked that series you should probably give this book (of which Silo is a rip-off) a read. Additionally if you enjoyed '10 Cloverfield Lane' film you may like this one.
Some of the writing was quite disjointed - possibly explained by the rush in which Dick was churning out novels generally in this period - and seemed to lack his typical humour which I've enjoyed in 'UBIK' and 'Now Wait For Last Year'.
This short novel encapsulates a lot of PKD's signature themes: paranoia, false realities, and ordinary people struggling against totalitarian governments and powerful corporations.
While not his best work for me personally, you can certainly see how many things which have come after, such as the popular 'Silo' series, have been inspired by Dick's work here. Indeed if you liked that series you should probably give this book (of which Silo is a rip-off) a read. Additionally if you enjoyed '10 Cloverfield Lane' film you may like this one.
Some of the writing was quite disjointed - possibly explained by the rush in which Dick was churning out novels generally in this period - and seemed to lack his typical humour which I've enjoyed in 'UBIK' and 'Now Wait For Last Year'.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A tale that feels very derivative of H. G. Wells The Time Machine, this story has some of the beats that make PKD a master of the genre but not enough to make it a standout in his oeuvre.
The basic plot of this book is similar to Fallout 3: nuclear war starts and people are moved to underground bunkers, but many years later after the war ends they are still down there being told it's not safe while others live on the surface.
The plot sounds great and I thought I would enjoy this book but I gave up after less than a quarter of the way in.
The other Philip K Dick I've read is The Man in High Castle. Another novel with a plot that sounded exactly like something I'd enjoy but I didn't finish it. I seem to have a consistent issue with his writing:his worlds are immersive with little or no explanation of them. He avoids exposition almost entirely and I find that there is so much that's referred to that I'm clueless about that I just become frustrated.
It's amazing that the author can create these worlds that are so rich and detailed but I find myself losing interest because I just don't know what the characters are talking about. It's a shame that I seem to hit this block with a icon of Sci-Fi.
The plot sounds great and I thought I would enjoy this book but I gave up after less than a quarter of the way in.
The other Philip K Dick I've read is The Man in High Castle. Another novel with a plot that sounded exactly like something I'd enjoy but I didn't finish it. I seem to have a consistent issue with his writing:his worlds are immersive with little or no explanation of them. He avoids exposition almost entirely and I find that there is so much that's referred to that I'm clueless about that I just become frustrated.
It's amazing that the author can create these worlds that are so rich and detailed but I find myself losing interest because I just don't know what the characters are talking about. It's a shame that I seem to hit this block with a icon of Sci-Fi.
This is one of the "easier" PKD novels to read. It doesn't mess with your mind so much although this is my ninth PKD in the space of two years and have become acclimated with his writing style.
This novel sheds light on the potential lies told by those in power and the bending of history facts. The example that comes to mind in today's society is that of North Korea's. Lies posed as facts so that the few can benefit.
I would also like to point out something about how the ending was portrayed. There is no final fight shown between Lantano and Brose and we aren't told whether Foote seeked out Runcible's help to deal with the potential tyranny of Lantano. I kind of like that. It made the final chapter all the more suspenseful and climactic. And so Dick!
This novel sheds light on the potential lies told by those in power and the bending of history facts. The example that comes to mind in today's society is that of North Korea's. Lies posed as facts so that the few can benefit.
I would also like to point out something about how the ending was portrayed. There is no final fight shown between Lantano and Brose and we aren't told whether Foote seeked out Runcible's help to deal with the potential tyranny of Lantano. I kind of like that. It made the final chapter all the more suspenseful and climactic. And so Dick!
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes