Borislav Pekić’s Atlantida is not merely a fantasy novel about a sunken city; it is a profound philosophical treatise disguised as alternative history. The novel is the first part of a planned but unfinished trilogy. Pekić constructs a narrative based on a fascinating premise: What if Atlantis did not sink into the ocean, but rather the "Mediterranean Atlantic" (a civilization located between Europe and Africa) was destroyed by a volcanic cataclysm, and its survivors migrated to the "Hesperides" (Western Europe)?
Upon release, the novel was an immediate success in the Yugoslav literary world, winning the prestigious . Borislav Pekic Atlantida.pdf
Due to these themes, Atlantida has become a cult object. An English translation does exist (published by Dalkey Archive Press in the early 2010s as part of their Golden Fleece series), but it is out of print, expensive second-hand, and—crucially— . Borislav Pekić’s Atlantida is not merely a fantasy
Atlantida (1988) by Borislav Pekić is a science fiction thriller forming the second part of his Anthropological Trilogy, depicting a long-standing conflict between humans and androids. The novel explores themes of alienated civilization, the necessity of free will, and cyclical history, focusing on protagonist John Hovland uncovering this hidden reality. For more details, visit Goodreads . Atlantida by Borislav Pekić - Goodreads Upon release, the novel was an immediate success
: You can find publication details and editions for various prints since 1988.
A central theme of the novel is how easily truth can be manufactured. The androids in Atlantida do not know they are machines; they have been programmed with false memories, false historical lineages, and false emotions. Pekić draws a direct parallel to modern political propaganda and totalitarian regimes, which rewrite history to control the present. What Defines Humanity?
: Identify the major themes of the story. What messages or ideas does the author seem to be conveying? Look for symbolism, motifs, and any recurring elements that might highlight these themes.