Perfect Imperfection (novel)

Perfect Imperfection: First third of progress (Polish: Perfekcyjna niedoskonałość. Pierwsza tercja progresu; also sometimes translated as "Ideal Imperfection") is a science fiction novel published in 2004 by the Polish science fiction writer Jacek Dukaj, ostensibly as the first part of a planned trilogy (no other parts have been published, nor announced as under development). It was published in Poland by Wydawnictwo Literackie.

The novel received the prime Polish award for science-fiction literature, Janusz A. Zajdel Award, in 2004. It was translated to Russian in 2019.

The book was positively received by critics, although some noted that it thematically resembles the author's older works, likely because it was written several years before it was published. Its unique language, including "posthuman grammar", has received a number of scholarly interpretations.

Plot

A 21st-century astronaut, Adam Zamoyski, is recovering after an accident. At first, he thinks that he is recovering from a plane crash, and any bizarre things he perceives are hallucinations due to his convalescence. He soon finds out that to prevent him from suffering a culture shock—or perhaps what would be better described as a profound future shock—all information he receives is filtered through an implant, creating a semi-VR world, and in fact he was revived in the 29th century, in a post-technological singularity world.