The World Jones Made
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 Cover of first edition (paperback) |
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| Author | Philip K. Dick |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
| Released | 1956 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
The World Jones Made is a 1956 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick examining notions of precognition, humanity, and politics. It was first published by Ace Books as one half of Ace Double D-150, bound dos-à-dos with Agent of the Unknown by Margaret St. Clair.
[edit] Plot summary
The World Jones Made is set in a future post-apocalyptic Earth where a political theory of Relativism (quite distinct from Einstein physics of the same name) is helping Earth's reconstruction. Relativism is a theory that states everyone is free to believe what they wish as long as they don't make anyone else try to follow that principle, which has become established law after the destructiveness of the war unleashed by ideologies. This sacrosanct principle is challenged by a man named Jones, whose assertions about the future prove correct.
The book follows an agent of Fedgov (the world government) named Cussick, and his involvement with Jones. Jones has precognitive abilities that let him see a year into the future, which allows Dick to explore questions of predestination. The plot is further complicated by the appearance of apparently unintelligent alien lifeforms named Drifters, which may be harmless or signal the end of humanity's expansion into outer space.
The novel addresses questions of Jones' agenda and trustworthiness, as well as the ambiguously beneficial nature of precognition.
