Island - (Harper Perennial Olive Editions) by Aldous Huxley (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"Huxley's final word about the human condition and the possibility of the good society. . . . Island is a welcome and in many ways unique addition to the select company of books--from Plato to now--that have presented, in imaginary terms, a coherent view of what society is not but might be." -- New York Times Book Review

The final novel from Aldous Huxley, Island is a provocative work of utopian fiction and a counterpoint to his worldwide classic Brave New World, in which a flourishing, ideal society located on a remote Pacific island attracts the envy of the outside world.

In the classic philosophical novel Huxley considered his most important, he transports us to the remote Pacific island of Pala, where an ideal society has flourished for 120 years. Inevitably, this island of bliss attracts the envy and enmity of the surrounding world. A conspiracy is underway to take over Pala, and events are set in motion when an agent of the conspirators, a newspaperman named Faranby, is shipwrecked there. What Faranby doesn't expect is how his time with the people of Pala will begin a spiritual journey that revolutionizes all his values and--to his amazement--give him hope.

From the Back Cover

In his final novel, which he considered his most important, Aldous Huxley transports us to the remote Pacific island of Pala, where an ideal society has flourished for 120 years.

Inevitably, this island of bliss attracts the envy and enmity of the surrounding world. A conspiracy is underway to take over Pala, and events are set in motion when an agent of the conspirators, a newspaperman named Faranby, is shipwrecked there. What Faranby doesn't expect is how his time with the people of Pala will revolutionize all his values and--to his amazement--give him hope.

Review Quotes

"A mirror image to his most famous work, Brave New World, Huxley's final novel pens a bright picture of a utopian island society. Its workings and values--from group living to talking birds--offer a brilliant reflection on its times, and an imaginative model of a different way to live." - Forbes

"Island's warnings about religious fanaticism, the exercise of massive military power, the geopolitical importance of oil and the development of artificial insemination seem extraordinarily prophetic." - The Guardian

"Island remains important and highly enjoyable" - Washington Post Book World

"Huxley's final word about the human condition and the possibility of the good society. . . . Island is a welcome and in many ways unique addition to the select company of books--from Plato to now--that have presented, in imaginary terms, a coherent view of what society is not but might be." - New York Times Book Review

"A mirror for modern man. . . . Should be read and reread." - Saturday Review

"One of the truly great philosophical novels" - The Times (London)

One of the 99 Best Modern Novels - New York Times Book Review

"Island remains important and highly enjoyable" -- Washington Post Book World

"Huxley's final word about the human condition and the possibility of the good society. . . . Island is a welcome and in many ways unique addition to the select company of books--from Plato to now--that have presented, in imaginary terms, a coherent view of what society is not but might be." -- New York Times Book Review

"A mirror for modern man. . . . Should be read and reread." -- Saturday Review

"Island's warnings about religious fanaticism, the exercise of massive military power, the geopolitical importance of oil and the development of artificial insemination seem extraordinarily prophetic." -- The Guardian

"One of the truly great philosophical novels" -- The Times (London)

One of the 99 Best Modern Novels -- New York Times Book Review