Perfect Imperfection

2004 novel by Jacek Dukaj
the Chinese film

Perfect Imperfection: First third of progress (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.

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. However, his implant becomes damaged, and he finds himself in a world where normal Homo sapiens are just relics. Most of the individuals he meets are artificial intelligence agents, scarcity has been eliminated through nanotechnology, virtual reality is merged with 'reality', the currency is exotic matter used in spacetime experiments—and suddenly Adam is caught in the web of a trans galactic intrigue spin doctored by beings vastly more intelligent than an unaugmented human. What is the secret that he presumably learned before his spaceship was destroyed back in the 21st century? The secret that he cannot remember, and that the science of the 29th century cannot restore, despite having resurrected him? And in a world where whole universes are dedicated to the sole purpose of serving as the weapon laboratories for the arms race between multiversal civilizations, can a normal human become anything more than a toy of inconceivably intelligent beings?

As with all of Dukaj's novels, the world of Perfect Imperfection is teeming with various concepts and ideas.

Craft (or kraft) is the practice of meta physics, the science of changing the physical constants, or shaping of spacetime through changing the laws of physics themselves. One of many original twists in the book is the new language, such as new grammar and prefixes that try to describe the posthuman beings (somewhat resembling the concept of gender neutral language). This language play also makes the book especially challenging for translators. (The book's translation to Russian was nominated for a Russian award for best translations). Despite being published in 2004, the book was mostly written in 1998–2000, and as several reviewers noted, it bears resemblances to an earlier style of Dukaj. Reviewing the book for Esensja, also in 2004, Grzegorz Rogaczewski notes that while ostensibly a space opera, the work mixes elements of other genres, from hard science fiction, to fantasy, cloak and dagger, grotesque, supernatural and philosophical fiction. He also notes that the work seems to resemble some earlier works of Dukaj, heavy with many scientific references, and as such may be somewhat more difficult for general readers, not familiar with science fiction. He nonetheless concludes the book is enjoyable and "unforgettable".