Literary Review: ‘Island’ by Aldous Huxley

‘Island’ by Aldous Huxley is the lesser known cousin of his two psychedelic essays ‘Doors of perception’ and ‘Heaven and Hell’ and brilliantly demonstrates his own unique understanding in fiction form. First published in 1962 it is, on the one hand, a synthesis of Eastern philosophy and Western science and, on the other, a bubbling narrative, thick with reflection and idea.

For psychedelic literature it represents the familiar ground of utopian vision but yet simultaneously acknowledges a pessimistic realism that is often lacking in other psy-works of fiction. A construct that was later used, very successfully, by Hunter S. Thompson in ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’.

The protagonist of the book is Will Farnaby; a journalist who is in search of oil reserves on the island state of Pala. He discovers a utopian oasis that has crafted itself into an idealistic culture that has based it’s structure on a synthesis of Western science and Eastern philosophy. Beautifully written passages on education, behaviour and the workings of society of Pala manage to portray relatively complex ideas in a lucid and entertaining manner.

Whilst some critics, including Huxley himself, have said that the narrative is to swamped in philosophical idea, there remains a driving discourse that leads the reader skillfully through the book. The discourse itself is as relevant today as it was fifty, or even a hundred, years ago - the discourse of industrial modernity and the tradition of nature.

As Will is slowly shown the structural workings of the society he begins to fall for it’s idealism, which puts him at odds with his oil-laden premise for being in Pala. The acuteness of which leads inextricably to the finale of the novel. But what makes ‘The Island’ a work of psychedelic literature as opposed just another polemic on industrial capitalism?

On the surface one would immediately say that the use of the Palanese moksha-medicine, made from a local toadstool, as part of the local culture conjoins the ideas of utopianism and psychedelia but the meaning is far deeper. When taken in conjunction with other Palanese applied ideas like maithuna, or the ‘yoga of love’, you can see that the psychedelic element of the society, indeed of the novel, is the psychonaut tendency.

The psychonaut tendency is proliferated throughout by the use of self-examination on the part of Palanese education and re-examination on the part of Will Farnaby. Objective symbology is pushed to one side as a human consequence, or inevitability and in its place is thrust a subjective realism from which an individual may depart from in their belief and behaviour.

‘Island’ is a real gem of a novel and I can’t recommend it enough; its pivotal role in drug texts of the early 1960s will come as no surprise when one delves into its pages. Great read, not only for those who enjoy psychedelic literature but for anyone who has an interest in politics, philosophy, sociology or just simply,  quality writing.