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'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?' is the forth book of the series, (and coincidently the forth book I actually read as I'm not reading them in order). Written by Phillip K. Dick, it was originally published in 1968 and was the inspiration behind the very successful Harrison Ford movie ... Read review
World War Terminus had left the Earth devastated. Through its ruins bounty hunter Rick ... more
Deckard stalked in search of the renegade replicants who were his prey. When he wasn't 'retiring' them with his laser weapon he dreamed of owning a live animal -- the ultimate status symbol in a world all but bereft of animal life. Then Rick got his chance: the assignment to kill six Nexus-6 targets for a huge reward. But in Deckard's world things were never that simple and his assignment quickly turned into a nightmare kaleidoscope of subterfuge and deceit -- and the threat of death for the hunter rather than the hunted ...
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World War Terminus had left the Earth devastated. Through its ruins bounty hunter Rick ... more
Deckard stalked in search of the renegade replicants who were his prey. When he wasn't 'retiring' them with his laser weapon he dreamed of owning a live animal -- the ultimate status symbol in a world all but bereft of animal life. Then Rick got his chance: the assignment to kill six Nexus-6 targets for a huge reward. But in Deckard's world things were never that simple and his assignment quickly turned into a nightmare kaleidoscope of subterfuge and deceit -- and the threat of death for the hunter rather than the hunted...
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Advantages: Well writing, engaging plot and thoroughly enjoyable piece of sci-fi Disadvantages: Occasionally the perspective causes some brief confusion
'SF Masterworks' is a growing collection of 'classic' science-fiction novels spanning over fifty years of the genre. As someone who's grown up reading and watching science-fiction I've found this a very interesting series that has introduced me to some wonderful (and, I have to be honest, not so wonderful) novels and authors that I would probably never have encountered otherwise.
'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?' is the forth ... ...actually read as I'm not reading them in order). Written by Phillip K. Dick, it was originally published in 1968 and was the inspiration behind the very successful Harrison Ford movie 'Blade Runner'. It tells the story of a day in the life of bounty hunter, Rick Deckard - a man who works for the San Francisco police department and whose job it is to identify and 'retire' rogue androids, in this instance androids that have been fitted with a Nexus-6 ... more
'SF Masterworks' is a growing collection of 'classic' science-fiction novels spanning over fifty years of the genre. As someone who's grown up reading and watching science-fiction I've found this a very interesting series that has introduced me to some wonderful (and, I have to be honest, not so wonderful) novels and authors that I would probably never have encountered otherwise.
'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?' is the forth book of the series, (and coincidently the forth book I actually read as I'm not reading them in order). Written by Phillip K. Dick, it was originally published in 1968 and was the inspiration behind the very successful Harrison Ford movie 'Blade Runner'. It tells the story of a day in the life of bounty hunter, Rick Deckard - a man who works for the San Francisco police department and whose job it is to identify and 'retire' rogue androids, in this instance androids that have been fitted with a Nexus-6 brain model, making them particularly difficult to detect and extremely dangerous when trying to 'retire' them.
Set in the early nineties, (bare in mind is was written in the late sixties, so it would have been 'futuristic' when it was written), Earth is recovering from the resulting nuclear fallout of 'World War Terminus', the effect of which is that many of the planet's inhabitants have fled to colonies on other planets and a vast majority of animals have been wiped out. For those people left on Earth, who either aren't allowed to migrate because of the effects of radiation poisoning, or are simply unwilling to leave, the ownership of a live animal has become the ultimate status symbol. So coveted are live animals that not only are people willing to spend thousand of dollars to own one, but a whole industry has been created providing electronic versions. Rick, unable to afford a living creature, owns a robotic sheep, though wants nothing more than to possess a real live animal.
Philip K. Dick is a name I've heard of before, though I don't recall having actually read any of his work prior to buying 'Do Androids…' and I found his writing style to be very engaging and, of the four books I had read from the SF Masterwork series, it was the first that I felt certain I would enjoy from having read only the first couple of pages. Dick's characterisation is really quite effective and from the very off I felt I could easily identify with the characters within the book.
One of my favourite characters is John Isidore, a man who radiation has severely affect and is therefore treated by the majority of society, who call him and people like him a 'chickenhead', as a sub-standard citizen, in many ways held in more contempt than androids that are considered a servant class by the populace. Isidore's frustrations and thoughts about his situation are very well written, being just intelligent enough to understand why he is treated the way he is so that he yearning for acceptance is believable.
Dick's style of writing in this book adopts a third-person stance, but allows for the character's thoughts to be aired. I must admit that occasionally this style of narration confused me a couple of times and I had to re-read a few passages, (for example "I think, he thought, that…" is one line that didn't make immediate sense). However, such passages are few and far between and on the whole the language used is both enjoyable to read and easy to understand - for anyone who regularly reads science-fiction the concepts are relatively simple to grasp and allow you to enjoy the story itself, rather than having to worry about the concepts. Another interesting thing I found was that the events follow Rick Deckard from him first getting up in the morning through to him going to bed, so it is essentially a single day of his life. Part of me finds this a little fanciful as there's so much happening that it is a little difficult to believe it could happen in just one day, (although I guess we've all have manic days at some point). That said, it is well worked into the story and does help add weight to some of the situations.
In many ways, with the exception of androids, hover cars and laser guns, the 'science-fiction' element of this book is quite understated, with the focus more on character development and the interactions between characters. Rather than using science-fiction as the main theme of the book, Dick uses it as a spring-board for the overall plot and the human element is a much more prominent thread through the book.
Regarding the concepts themselves, some are a fairly standard affair, such as the idea that Earth would be devastated by war and the affect on society after a nuclear fall-out; but for me Dick's take on the effects such an event would have on a society is what makes it such a compelling read. The idea that animals become such a status symbol for instance I thought was an interesting angle.
In some ways the ending does sort of trail off, but unlike other novels I read, I wasn't left disappointed. It's not a thrill-a-minute ending by any measure, but nor are you left wondering what's happened to such and such, or that the ending has been forced in order to tie things up. The plot plays out quite naturally and I felt this helped my overall enjoyment of the novel itself.
It could be very easy to over-analyse 'Do Androids…', discussing Dick's "social commentary", but ultimately I think it lends itself to allowing the reader to take as much or as little as they want from the book. On one hand there is great scope and hidden depth to the novel, but equally it can be taken at face value and simply enjoyed as a good piece of literature. I personally can't see this being a life-changing read, (unlike, for myself at least, novels such as 'Dune', which had a profound affect on me when I was younger) but it is never-the-less an enjoyable way to spend an evening, (assuming of course that you enjoy burying your nose in a book). For me, it is the first novel of the 'SF Masterworks' that I have read so series that truly deserves its tag of 'Masterwork' without having to try and justify it and I would highly recommend it.
Advantages: Great descriptions of 'cyberpunk' post-apocalyptic future, excellent ideas Disadvantages: Some concepts are hard to understand, and the science is often a little unbelievable
The basic plot of this novel is "in the future a bit, following a big war, a legal bounty hunter is after six androids who are really hard to kill. will he make it?" however, that is by no means all there is to it. philip k. dick's book manages to explore the real feelings that one would feel pursuing such a job, and also incorporates much deceit and mystery throughout. i always love to see or read about the future, provided it's not in some cheesy ... ...century world of "androids," a necessary shorthand for the great title of this book that is not to be confused with kryten's favourite soap opera on red dwarf, is both believable and incredibly well devised. so much in fact that I will have to check out more 'cyberpunk' genre books in the near future. some of the more necessary concepts are explained along the way, such as the development of ever more intelligent androids and the desire to own an ...
gunmenoftheapocalypse 24.10.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Advantages: The emotions you will feel run closer to home while reading this book. Disadvantages: Takes a while to take in and understand the jargon, depth and surrounding environment.
...characters daydreaming like we all do in our current lives which can be a little distracting. This is not a fault of the book atall, its one of the books qualities, as it can be so much more rewarding when left in a quiet room. Its certainly not a book to read on the bus or the train.
Its a very sophisticated book where you have to be patient and wait for descriptions of events.
Many times i spent drifting off for half an hour or so whilst in Deckards ... ...you fear for the unknown, your eye's read too quick for the page and your trapped in his head not knowing whats going to happen next.
How this book has been bought together is very clever. Philip K dick has impressed me with his best work and to see the book come to reality in the film Bladerunner is quite something.
The film differs from the book as the film seems so full of people. The book feels so desolate as buildings seem empty as many people ...
richardcatling777 24.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Advantages: Brilliant concept, clearly and simply written! Disadvantages: Difficult to raed if you have seen teh film Bladerunner
There is a major problem with reading this book. The film "Bladerunner" was based upon it, and to anyone who has seen the film first, it hangs like a dark shadow. This is a pity as "Do Androids…." is a remarkable book, but one that when you are reading, you feel you are constantly comparing it to the film. To those who have not seen it, then I envy you being able to enjoy this book without comparison. To those who have seen the film, try to remove ... ...you have to!
I have seen the film so, unfortunately, I will compare them in this review. Apologies.
The basic concept is a post-apocalyptic world abandoned by anyone who is able to go to new planetary colonies leaving the Earth to be inhabited by large numbers of sub-normals or 'specials'. In a world where most animal life is extinct, the prime status symbol is ownership of a real live animal. Technology is advanced so artificial animals are affordable ...
ElStevo 21.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Advantages: Feel like getting into sci-fi more? Disadvantages: Probably not for everyone. What is?
First off, Star wars, star trek, bablyon 5, andromeda, lost in space are generally NOT sci fi in my opinion.
What they REALLY are, are action films/series that happen to be set in the future. There isn't really much in the way of setting contemporary problems in new scenarios and questioning life the universe and everything.
Now thats out of the way, let me tell you why I think Philip K Dick kicks serious ass and why everything I have read of his ... ...a while back so trust me : )
Dick once said in an interview that his work is all about questioning reality. He thought that we live in a world of 'spurious realities created by the government, media and religion'. I believe him; and I'm sure we all know how manipulative the media can be. You know the fake photos of prisoners of war being abused? That's a false reality. WW2 propaganda? False reality. The depiction of anything in the public eye? Almost ...
5kutbag 19.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Advantages: easy to read yet gets in your head Disadvantages: am I an android?
...force run my androids who do not even realise they are androids, protecting a race of anroids who may not even know they are androids, who infact believe they are human, things start to get even more complicated. Add to this the fact he may be in love with an android and his paranoia that he himself is an anderiod and you've got this classic, sci-fi, mind bender of a novel.
Phillip K Dick is great. Get out there and read it! ...
lennieb 18.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
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Advantages: Great character development, enjoyable read Disadvantages: Certain threads aren't explained too well
with sci-fi because of certain concepts, or you've just never particularly enjoyed it as a genre, this book may still well appeal to you, as the science is in many ways secondary to the character development.
One thing I have often found amusing when reading older science-fiction is that, as I read it, it is often set in the past, (though admittedly when it was written, it was the author's future). Some times you have to laugh at certain ideas that the writer had, (PhilipK. Dick's 'DoAndroidsDream Of ElectricSheep?' for example has human-like androids walking around in the early 1990s); however, in this instance, because Matheson doesn't rely on possible technological developments as a crutch for the plot, the story works well as a potential alternative history. Equally, the story to my mind still 'holds water', as it were, had it been ...
Product Information for "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Science Fiction
Title
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Author
Philip K. Dick
ISBN
0006482805; 0345404475
Manufacturer's product description
Android animals help expiate human guilt over the extermination of real ones. Rick Deckard hunts and 'retires' illegal android humans, and thereby comes to learn that the new messiah, a messenger of hope in a depleted world, may also be a fake, and begins to question just who is human and what human is. Also published under the title BLADE RUNNER.
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