Huxleys 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 booksfrom Plato to nowthat have presented, in imaginary terms, a coherent view of what society is not but might be. The New York Times Book Review

A utopian Pacific Ocean society is threatened by ruthless and greedy outside forces in Aldous Huxleys final novela timely and relevant exploration of consciousness, humanism, fanaticism, and destructionnow available as a limited Olive Edition from Harper Perennial.

A provocative counterpoint to his worldwide classicBrave New World,Aldous Huxley’s last novel introduces the Pacific island of Pala, home to a flourishing ideal society for 120 years. Aspiring to achieve a state of heightened consciousness, the islanders practice communal living, peacefully pursuing intellectual passions and spiritual meditation.

But the islands bliss eventually attracts the envy of outsiders covetous of its natural resources, including its vast oil reserves. A devious plan to take over Pala is undertaken but when a jaded newspaperman named Faranby orchestrates his own shipwreck on the island, as an agent for the conspirators, his experiences with its inhabitants unexpectedly revolutionize his values, and above all else, give him hope.