Writers have long announced the ills of civilization with a surprising accuracy. Jules Verne imagined spaceships leaving from Florida before space travel was a reality; Bolesław Prus grasped Polish capitalism before it became a common term among elites; Stanisław Lem foresaw a future where humans and machines interact in profound ways.
Today a phenomenon has emerged that is so new it is studied at many levels, backed by cutting-edge science: disinformation. Among the books that dissect this topic, the works of Ion Pacepa, Edward Lucas, and Thomas Rid stand out. Yet this lens often misses the drive, spirit, and freedom with which institutional lies seep into societies. The mentioned authors frequently describe isolated disinformation campaigns like Trust, Hitler’s Pope, or the Anna Chapman affair, but they sometimes overlook the broader structure of deception. Will writers illuminate the larger picture this time?
To explore this question, three novels deserve attention.
Józef Mackiewicz, “The Road to Nowhere”
Written in 1955, the novel offers a keen portrait of life under Soviet occupation, exposing the communist mindset with its lies, despair, fear, and the explosive reactions to totalitarianism. A pivotal passage centers on Tadeusz’s account of Bolshevik deceit. The dialogue between two Vilnius-region friends describes manipulation at an extraordinary scale, a refusal to acknowledge the truth so extreme that it terrorizes the psyche. At one point, Tadeusz models how such disinformation operates:
For example, if a normal person wants to claim that the ceiling is black rather than white, the task may seem daunting. We circle, growl, point to shadows, and insist that the issue is not simply about color. In short, we use a method that seems elaborate, but the end goal remains elusive. Now consider the Bolsheviks: they point to the ceiling and declare, “See this ceiling… It’s pitch black.” They immediately validate that claim. Does the public care whether the truth is the opposite? Likely not. They have learned that the method matters more than the factual content. The next step is to tell people that vile liars, enemies of truth, have sunk so low they would lie that the ceiling is white to protect world capital. A crowd will react with indignation, laughter, and scorn at such obvious falsehoods. Until now, it seemed such sessions of collective hypnosis happened only behind closed doors. Nothing compares to this public display.
Thus, the core tactic is simple in its brilliance: the most effective liar lies with spectacle and boldness.
Vladimir Volkoff, “Edit”
The French-Russian writer brings a unique vantage as a former officer in the French secret service. His novels carry an educational edge, acting like a manual on the subject. For instance, Werbunek translates a philosophical claim that communism functions as a religion, while Disinformation follows a Russian émigré and influence operative who tailors information to suit the Soviet agenda. In essence, it is a dialogue between an agent and his case officer, about shaping reality to defend the guilty and condemn the innocent.
How does one influence a scenario where Ivanov is believed to have betrayed Petrov by deceit? Volkoff offers ten practical methods. The first is zero witnesses; the truth simply cannot be verified. The second introduces partial truths, admitting problems in a marriage and hinting at past misdeeds, creating a mix of truth and fabrication. A third tactic adjusts proportions, often leaning toward 80 percent truth and 20 percent falsehood to render the deception plausible. A fifth approach is blurring—flooding real facts with irrelevant detail. A technique of selection follows, presenting true data in a way that remains incomplete. The ninth method concerns unequal parts, presenting a defense for one side and a counterargument for the other, leaving readers to judge the balance themselves. The final method, equal parts, places a defense and a condemnation side by side, testing perceived impartiality. These patterns reveal how information can be weaponized by crafting a convincing narrative despite its flaws.
Consider whether anecdotal stories from magazines about public figures resemble readers’ letters. The question becomes whether a large portion of the truth can be hidden within a dense layer of partial truths and distractions, making verification nearly impossible for many readers.
Bronisław Wildstein, “The Valley of Nothingness”
The 2008 novel adds moral weight for Polish readers by exposing how media manipulation operates in contemporary politics. It portrays the hypocrisy of certain liberal circles and the post-communist landscape, showing how deception can quietly erode trust. The book traces the life of a character who navigates a web of influence, revealing how powerful people can ruin a life through strategic disinformation. A telling subplot centers on Andrzej Kern, a fictionalized figure used to illustrate how perceived scandal can be manufactured to damage reputations. The surrounding media ecosystem amplifies the effect, turning private failures into public catastrophes.
The narrative also offers a vivid portrayal of how a political environment with shifting loyalties feeds the cycle of manipulation, where truth fades and the most sensational stories dominate the discourse. The text includes scenes that highlight media campaigns and their real-world impact, underscoring how easily a society can be steered by carefully crafted narratives.
In a final thread, the film Agata’s Abduction is referenced as an example of rapid production used to bolster a political message. Created in a tight schedule by a former security service employee, it demonstrates how cinematic storytelling can contribute to the broader propaganda effort.
Modern disinformation
Today, the same impulse shows up when television hosts discuss refugees as tragic victims, when a former addict brands a political party as a foreign agent, or when a filmmaker portrays the state as a guardian of borders. The persistent spirit behind these ideas is the same: disinformation as a living craft rather than a one-off event. The writers discussed here, as well as contemporary analysts, reveal how easily influence can slip into everyday life.
Reading these novels remains valuable. They offer a shield against stupidity, lies, and the more insidious forms of modern manipulation.
Notes and reflections draw on contemporary media discussions and literary studies in North America and Europe.