The wonderful world of Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick was one of the most influential and uniquely talented science fiction writers of all time. since his death in 1982, his novels and short stories have experienced a surge in popularity, thanks in part to two popular films based on his work: "Bladerunner",from the novel "Do androids dream of electric sheep?", and the blockbuster "Total Recall", inspired by the short story "We Can Remember it for you Wholesale." Dick's lightning writing speed and prolific output remain legendary. Between 1961 and 1966 he wrote eighteen books, including the Hugo Award-winning "The man in the high Castle".Other major works include "Eye in the Sky","UBIK","Time out of joint","Clans of the alphane moon", and "Dr. Bloodmoney". Dick lived in California, loved music, was convinced that the government was watching him, and was married several times. He died at the age of fifty-two.
Excerpt from "Solar lottery". Collier books 1992.
Philip K. Dick is in my opinion the greatest SF writer of the 20th century. His books make us wonder "What is human?" and "What is reality". Below are my reviews on his books i've read.
Listen to Philip K. Dick Talk about his planed sequel to "The man in the high Castle.
Solar lottery (1955)
Earth is governed by a system which decides its leaders by lottery. Ted Bently joins earth's leader just as he resigns from office and is swept up in a plot to destroy the next leader.
This was a great story! The whole book flows from the first to the last page. After reading this story you'll wonder how far are we from this future.
A Maze of Death (1970)
Fourteen people came to Delmak-O to start a colony. While there accidents, deaths, and hostility errupts and everyone is a suspect.
This was a mysterious book to start out with. Even though it has a downer ending, the overall mystery of the book makes it well worth it.
Galactic Pot-Healer (1969)
Joe Fernwright is a pot-healer. Upon revieving a strange message he goes on a strange voyage to Plowman's Planet. He then partakes on an equaly strange mission overseen by the mysterious Glimmung.
This was a borderline book. Unless you have read "Faust" you won't get most of the meaning of the book. I don't plan to read "Faust" anytime in the near future, but if you like that stuff you'll love this book.
Now wait for Last Year (1966)
This is one of my favorites. Eric Sweetscent has problems. His wife is a selfish bitch who wants to rule him, his planet is fighting a losing war, and a leathal drug which throws its user back and foward in time is becoming a threat to his existance.
This book really makes you think. It has one of the most prolific scenes I have ever read. If you read Philip K. Dick books make sure this one is on your list.
We Can Build You (1972)
Louis rosen and his partners own a small buisness that one sold spinets. Now they sell simulacras (highly sophisticated androids who impersonate historical figures). They get entangled by the richest man on earth to build them for illegal purposes.
I didn't like this one much. It should of ended thirty pages before it did. This story does, though, question what is really human? And does an realistic android of a historic figure have the same rights as a living person?
The Man in The High Castle (1962)
It's 1962, however it's a little diffrent than you might of remembered. Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan control thr world, Slavery is re-instaled in America, and the Nazi's are hunting down the last remaining jews.
This is one of his best books. You might say "Yeah it's just another alternate future book where Germany won the war". True but Philip K. Dick was the first writer to do this theme. It is also the best one you will ever find.
Martian Time-Slip (1964)
Mars is slowly being colinized. The few setlers on the planet are slowly making the planet more habital, and the predictions of a small retarded boy, Manfred Steiner, are peaking the intrests of the most powerfull people on Mars.
This book is an interesting trip into the world of time travel, corruption, and betrayl. You'll find it intresting.
Flow my Tears, the Policeman said (1974)
Jason Taverner is the most famous preformer on Earth. In the next few hours his identity will be erased, his fame forgotten, and freedom lost.
This is another of my favorites. I'm sure they got the idea for "The Net" from this book. But don't be fooled by my refrence to that horrible Sandra Bullock movie. This is a book not to miss!
A Scanner Darkly (1977)
Bob Arctor is a drug dealer. Fred is a policeman sent to bust Bob. Sound's simple right? The only proplem is that Fred and Bob are the same person. All this is thanks to Substance D. A drug whichs in high doses can split a person's mind into two personalities.
Yes this is the great druggie book! You are going to have to read it several time to fully understand it. Don't be discouraged, it's one of his best.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (1964)
Life sucks on the Martian colonies. The colonists are so bored they escape into a Barbie-like fantasy with the help of a drug Can-D. But now Palmer Eldrich, a long missing industralist, returns from another star system with a drug called Chew-Z. A drug which prommises more to the user than Barbie-action fantasy.
This is a strange one indeed. It is also another book that should of ended thirty pages before it did. But I liked it. If you got a hankerin to read and evil,anti-christ book check it out! It's a hell of a ride.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
This is the book "Blade Runner" was based on. It's 2021 and Rick Deckard is a policeman who is on a mission to destroy off-world replicants. This book is very diffrent from the movie and shows a diffrent side than Ridley Scot's masterpiece.
The book is drab and more dark than the movie. You should read it anyway. It raises more questions than the movie and is overall more interesting.
Clans of the Alphane Moon (1964)
The Alphane moon was once an insane asylum. At least until Terra moved out and left the inmates on the moon. Now many years later Terra wants to move back. However the inmates of the moon have established a rich and diverse society which doesn't want to return to the asylum.
This was the first of his books I ever read. It rises some interesting questions. Like, What is insanity? and who really is insane? This book is a must read!
The Valis Trilogy
VALIS (1981)
The first of the Valis trilogy. This is a story about a scizophrenic named Horselover Fat (Philip Dick himself). Who is on a quest for god and the true meaning of his existance.
If you want to know more personally about Phill this book is his whole life. Some stuff in the book, however, never happened. At least to him.
The Divine Invasion (1981)
Will God ever return to Earth. He does in this book. Watch little god rise havor, release Satan from his prison, and fuck up humanity once again!
Ok I went a little overboard on the synopsis. But its the truth about this book. I recomend this book to all Athiests.
The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (1982)
PKD final novel. Its a story of a bishop, Timothy Archer, and his quest for god. Watch kooky antics ensue!
I'm only halfway through the book, but I recommend all PKD fans to enjoy his last earthly book.
Biographies on Dick I have read.
The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick. (1995)
A collection of PKD's essays, speeches, lost works, unfinished stories, and his own TV series pitch.
This is a treasure trove for all Dick fans!
Short Story Collections (or short Dicks)
The Collected Stories of Phillip K. Dick vol 1 -The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford- (1987)
All dickheads start here!
The Collected Stories of Phillip K. Dick vol 2 -We Can Remember it for you Wholesale- (1987)
The best of the Series!
The Collected Stories of Phillip K. Dick vol 3 -Second Variety- (1987)
Not to shabby. They based the movie "Screamers" on the story "Second Variety". Bad move!
The Collected Stories of Phillip K. Dick vol 4 -The Minority Report-
This is a good one!
The Collected Stories of Phillip K. Dick vol 5 -The Eye of the Sibyl-
Alot of God influences in this one. It's okay though.
I will add more reviews when I read more books. Just remember to keep on reading Dickhead!