← Back to discovery

The penultimate truth

Philip K. Dick

1972191 pagesabout 3–4 hours
1972
first published
  • 1970Penguin · 221 pages · ENGISBN 9780140031058
  • 1978Triad/Panther · 207 pages · ENGISBN 9780586047873
  • 1980Dell · 238 pages · ENGISBN 9780440169260
  • 1984Bluejay Books · 201 pages · ENGISBN 9780312943561
  • 1992TriadGrafton · 240 pages · ENGISBN 9780586210307
  • 2004Vintage Books · 191 pages · ENGISBN 9781400030118
  • 2005Gollancz · 320 pages · ENGISBN 9780575074811
  • 1989Carroll & Graf Publishers · ENGISBN 9780881844931
CuriousCosmicShort read

The Penultimate Truth is a 1964 science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. The story is set in a future where the bulk of humanity is kept in large underground shelters. The people are told that World War III is being fought above them, when in reality the war ended years ago. The novel is based on Dick's 1953 short story "The Defenders". Dick also drew upon two other of his short stories for the plot of the novel: "The Mold of Yancy" and "The Unreconstructed M".

How it feels

MoodSad
AtmosphereBleak

Worth knowing

ViolenceFrequent

When and where

ThemesWar

Content notes

  • Warmoderateunreviewed

Quotesnone available

How do you feel?

More in Curious