Definitely a philosophical novel. Long, dense passages of utilitarianism, examination of Fascism and Socialism, and how neither liberates the human. J. Krishnamurti's influence on Aldous Huxley is detected. Interspersed with comic relief of the megarich capitalist's estate of gaudiness, hypocrisy in action. At some parts the reader dispiritedly acknowledges little has changed in 84 years.

The first chapter had me thinking [b:After Many a Summer Dies the Swan|19148641|After Many a Summer Dies the Swan|Aldous Huxley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386083191l/19148641.SX50.jpg|1866573] was going to be a send-up like The Loved One. I suppose a historical essay on man's vanities, false beliefs, and idiocies can be funny occasionally if some smut and black humour are interspersed.