I just started my first PK Dick novel

[JitterbugPerfume]

I had heard his name mentioned several times at DU , the first time by our beloved Kef. I was in my book store browsing yesterday , and there it was

so far it is really intriguing

any fans? comments?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. he did more for sci moives than anyone other than Asimov or Roddenberry

His books are superb, weird and entertaining. Pity he wrote so few.

[JitterbugPerfume]

3. yes ---weird

it keeps me off balance I think I am gong to enjoy his writing

[Tace]

2. Dickhead Here

He's my favorite writer.

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. the book is A Scanner Darkly

by the way

[cenacle]

7. scanner darkly is a good one...

and will likely be a great movie when it's out later this year, from director richard linklater of 'waking life' fame...

try pkd's Valis too...one of the greatest novels ever...changed my view of reality and history both forever...the empire never ended...i remember i met an old man in a coffeehouse in portland, oregon who held the same view, i think from different sources...valis is funny too, nutty funny...anyone else like that one?

[Elidor]

13. Valis is perhaps his best book

Much less pulpy than his earlier work. The first six chapters, which set up the action, seem interminable at times, but once it gets going it's great. I need to re-read that one.

[Orrex]

18. Valis -- Excellent!

The first six chapters, which set up the action, seem interminable at times, but once it gets going it's great. I need to re-read that one.

I agree overall, but I must beg to differ re: the first six chapters! I think that these represent some of Dick's best writing, with real humanity and real empathy. Given Dick's preoccupation with these two subjects, I'm always struck by their strong portrayals in Valis.

Great stuff!

[frylock]

5. which one?

I've only read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Blade Runner has to be one of my all-time fav movies.

[aden_nak]

15. Have you ever read Future Noir?

It's a chronicle of making Blade Runner, how it was turned into the final movie based on <i>Andriods</i>, and so on. Lots of stuff with Ridley Scott and PK Dick, and actually, some interesting things about how Dick saw the movie, despite it being very, very different from the original book.

[frylock]

16. no, i haven't..

and thanks so much for the recommendation. I'll hunt that down and give it a read.

[Rick Myers]

6. Kef and I had many discussions of PK Dick

He was a huge fan, as am I. I was reading Valis last year, just before Kef passed away!

[JitterbugPerfume]

9. I miss him so very much

Kef was one of a kind---very smart and funny

[Ezlivin]

8. He was ahead of his time. Way ahead.

His Time Out of Joint novel was a stunner the first time I read it.

"Minority Report" was much better than the crappy Tom Cruise movie they made out of it.

And if you've seen Blade Runner, don't expect too many similarities to the source novel: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.

[cenacle]

10. I read Time Out of Joint

many years ago when I was a teenager...got it at a local drugstore, i think and did not know who PKD was...but that book, wow, fuck you up good, hehe... :)

[Ezlivin]

11. I'll always recall the main character's fascination with the light switch

He knew something was wrong with it, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Naturally when he saw the turbo-diesel trucks idling behind the food store he started his journey to reality....

[Rowdyboy]

12. He's one of the reasons I got hooked on sci fi as a teenager.....

Which one are you reading?

[JitterbugPerfume]

14. A Scanner Darkly

I picked it by author really



happy Birthday

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

17. My favorite

by Dick is Confessions of a Crap Artist. There was a French film adaptation called Barjo, which was actually my introduction to the author. Good stuff.

[auburngrad82]

19. I liked The Man in The High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

Very good. From all accounts he was a brilliant but deeply troubled individual.



Liberal bumper stickers

[JitterbugPerfume]

20. I love his writing

and his strange twisted mind :evilgrin: I think I will order more of his work. Any suggestions what I should read next?

[Orrex]

21. If you're aiming for his novels...

The Transmigration of Timothy Archer is a good one. You'll probably want to read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? at some point (it was also released as Blade Runner, though the film differs sharply from the book.

The quality of Dick's writing is highly variable, so be forewarned! Some of his best stuff occurs in his short stories, so you might look into any of his collected volumes.

Also, since you've read Valis, you should probably read The Divine Invasion and Radio Free Albemuth, the three of which form a thematic trilogy. Personally, I really don't care for Divine Invasion too much, but YMMV.

Check out Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said and The Man in the High Castle, when you have the chance. Both are excellent. A Scanner Darkly has been recommended elsewhere in the thread, and it's also quite good.

Also worth reading is The Shifting Realities of Philip K Dick, a collection of essays, speeches, and story-exerpts from which you can derive an interesting conception of the author and his views on the world.

Let us know what you read next!

[JitterbugPerfume]

22. Thanks Orrex

:bounce: :yourock:

[DrBloodmoney]

23. I'm a huge dickhead

I've read most of his major stuff. My favorites are:
A Scanner Darkly
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
The Man in the High Castle
Ubik

I was glad to see that they are all be rereleased and back on the shelves in the bookstore.

I do hate most of the movies though (Bladerunner excepted of course...). I've got high hopes for the film version of A Scanner Darkly but it will probably be crap like all of the rest since Bladerunner.

[JitterbugPerfume]

24. I can hardly wait

to become a huge Dickhead toooooo


I am eager to read more of his work

HOW did I miss reading this guy for so long?