Science Fiction Books > Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Books

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Well-developed characterisation of descent into madness
Disadvantages: Rather slow-moving and not a little confusing; probably not for those new to PKD

...jumped to a mid-career novel, Martian Time-Slip, due mainly to the fact I'd bought several while half-price on Amazon. The setting, obviously enough, is Mars, circa 2001. It's still a bleak, desolate planet, where water is precious and the few human settlers eke out something of a frontier existence, with luxuries from home only available on the black market. Incidentally, the planet is populated by a few surviving natives - little black men, known ...
...they share a common ancestor with humans, which sadly is never followed-up. The whole scene put me in mind of something rather like the Australian outback, with them the Aborigines (they even have their own 'Ayers Rock'). The principal character, Jack Bohlen, is a repairman - a job that keeps him very busy on a planet where mechanical equipment is expensive to import and regularly breaks down. Other significant persons include Arnie Kott, head of ... Read review

Advantages: Fast paced. Clearly written. Fairly short novel.
Disadvantages: None other than Dick is dead.

...I am currently taking the reigns from Lori for a day or so. She wanted me to write an opinion on Philip K. Dick, and so here I am. Master of the Dystopian future landscape, (ala the movies, "BLADERUNNER" and "TOTAL RECALL" which were both based on Philip K. Dick stories) THE MAN WHO JAPED sees Philip K. Dick at his dark humoured best. Amongst the crowded urbanized landscape of a distant planet, in a now stellar wide commercial earth empire, THE ...
...almost Quizotic character tilting at the "windmills" of a sterile society that has taken politics of contemporary "gated communities" and set their petty restrictions in legislation. In a universe where, literally, personal space is a luxury that few can afford, apartments are now computer controlled to remodel a single living area as kitchen/bedroom/living space. The ultimate accolade a citizen can achieve is permission to return to, and settle ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting ideas and story, may appeal to non-sci-fi fans
Disadvantages: Bit dated (set in 2002)

The World Jones Made was the second of Philip K. Dick's sci-fi novels, originally published in 1956, and, coincidentally, the second I read. While he's undoubtedly best known for his later Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - the novel which became the film Blade Runner - I can't comment on his progression as a writer, merely what I thought of this book. I do know enough of Dick's work to know that the near-future ...
...war that only ended in the early 1980s (there are a few passing mentions of Hitler, Nazis - who were no doubt very much in Dick's mind in 1956 - but it's unclear whether this war was an extended WWII or a separate event). The radiation produced many freaks and mutants, but perhaps more significant was the political change. The entire planet is now ruled by Fedgov (federal government) according to the dictates of Hoff's Relativism. Reasoning that ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic writing
Disadvantages: None

I've long been a fan of Philip K Dick's writing. It's just so wild and witty and full of fantastic imagery - it's easy to see why Hollywood plunders his work so often (Blade Runner, Minority Report, Total Recall, Imposter, Paycheck). It's just a shame that so much of the tone of his work is generally lost in those adaptations. I was drawn to A Scanner Darkly after 2006's remarkable film adaptation. The story of an undercover policeman's attempts ...
...drug (Substance D), A Scanner Darkly is classic Philip K Dick. Noone is quite as they seem, and reality itself is fluid. Before long Bob Arctor is putting himself under surveillance. Becoming more paranoid and confused, the tone of the novel gradually becomes darker and darker. Only Donna, his aloof girlfriend, seems to be keeping him in touch with reality. The book is a classic - Bob's gradual disintegration is handled incredibly subtly and slowly ... Read review