The Penultimate Truth
by Philip K. Dick
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 309)
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone who is running out of dystopian novels to read.
Having read quite a few books by Philip K Dick – more than I have listed on this site so far – I knew pretty much what to expect from a novel written in this frenzied period of activity in the sixties (he published another three novels in the same year, 1964) and I wasn’t disappointed. The premise is an excellent one and I was a little bothered that the back cover gave it away but it comes to the surface – literally and metaphorically – very early on in the book.
The tempting thing ...more
The tempting thing ...more
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Read in April, 2008
This book does not have one of PKD's most inspired beginnings, but if you can slog through the first chapter and learn the vocabulary of the world, the story really takes off. I found it engrossing and terrifying - this is something I could see happening. It really raises the question of belief for me: what do you believe? why do you believe? who do you believe? Politics, as most other things in life, really boils down to trust. And what PKD is saying, I think, is that you can't trust anyone. Ev...more
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Read in May, 2006
Great story. AS in The Simacrula, a robot leader, controlled from behind the scenes manipulated the masses. THis time into beleiving that war nessecsitates 90% of the population to live underground, cut of from each other, producing robots for the "war effort." Includes common PKD themes of time travel, paranoia, and a multifaceted , organic and continously changing approach to "truth" Is that an "unreleiable narrator?" Lots of detail, slang, ancronyms that you just...more
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This is definitely my favorite Philip K. Dick book. It leaves out the misogyny and the paedophilia and the bizarre stream-of-consciousness side trips on mysterious drugs and the scatological asides (it's not ever used as humor, Dick seems to have an obsession in making known what is going on in his characters bowels) that are his usual theme and it tells a really coherent, engaging story that has relevance even today. This is a prime example as to why Philip K Dick should be considered a great s...more
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Read in January, 2005
A world war has ravaged the planet, it seems, and mankind is living underground, literally. Until one man is chosen to go topside....
A sloppy rendition of this theme was portrayed in the film The Island, which owes PKD a thank you, if you ask me. Don't base yr judgment on that though, as the novel is a quaint metaphor for what desolation corporatism and a silent majority can cause.
A sloppy rendition of this theme was portrayed in the film The Island, which owes PKD a thank you, if you ask me. Don't base yr judgment on that though, as the novel is a quaint metaphor for what desolation corporatism and a silent majority can cause.
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WHy oh why has it taken me this long to pick up a philip k dick novel? this is a great lesson on why one shouldn't listen to everything off the television or i guess in this century, the internet.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in March, 2008
Pretty good, paranoid, typically-borderline-surrealist PKD. Awesome James Bond like character. Im guessing this book was...a speed book. He was definitely on a lot of speed.
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Most people have rated this so-so, and I don't even think it's in print anymore, but for some reason I really like this one. In the top 3 to 5 PKD books.
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Dick's stories are always interesting. His blend of sci-fi and questions of knowledge and identity always make me think long after the book is done.
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Very well composed sci-fi, several plot-lines... underdog overcoming adversity etc...
People forced underground as a result of over-population.
People forced underground as a result of over-population.
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Read in January, 2004
This books was phenomenal. Philip K. Dick is extremely imaginative with this story. Please read and see for yourself.
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Read in January, 2008
totally uninspired. even within the k. dick formula world. least enjoyable story of his i have read so far.
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Read in July, 2008
This book was very good, once I figured out the premise of it. It through me for a loop & kept me engaged.
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Really interesting look at the end of the world. I thought it was a great book, with a lot of originality.
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Read in October, 2007
This is my favorite Philip K. book so far(out of the 4 i've read) .
It's got it all.
It's got it all.
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recommends it for:
Sci fi lovers, Philip K. Dick Fans
Phillip K. Dick knew more about reality than most of us. This book proves the point.
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Read in March, 2004
There is probably a reason I had never heard of this one before...
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
sci-fi fans
to be very very afraid
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