What the Dead Men Say (novella)

What the Dead Men Say is a novella by American writer Philip K. Dick, first published in 1964 as a serial in Fantastic Stories magazine. The story explores themes of cryonics, resurrection, societal control, and the nature of identity in a future world.

The novella follows Charles Willis, who dies and is placed in cryogenic suspension. Years later, he is revived by a corporation called Life Extension and enters a vastly changed society where the resurrected dead hold considerable power, influence, and wealth. They are treated as an elite class, with special privileges and access to advanced technologies.

As Willis acclimates to this new world, he becomes disillusioned with the moral compromises and political machinations of the resurrected elite. He questions the ethics of their power and the validity of their memories, which are prone to alteration and manipulation by Life Extension.

A central conflict arises from Willis's skepticism and his desire to uncover the truth about the resurrected dead's societal influence. He struggles to maintain his own identity and resist the pressures to conform to the expectations of this new order. The story culminates in Willis exposing a significant conspiracy and challenging the authority of the powerful resurrected figures.

What the Dead Men Say is considered a significant work in Dick's oeuvre, exploring recurring themes found in his other science fiction novels, such as the blurring of reality and illusion, the fragility of memory, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. It provides a critical commentary on consumerism, societal stratification, and the potential for corruption even in seemingly utopian futures.