Arts La-di-Da, LBJ. Here are Some books that I Have Read
posted by on November 29 at 11:30 AM
Coming in May 2007, sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick is transmogrified into a literary writer. The American Library is dedicating one of their fine fine editions to four Dick novels, including Ubik, which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest American novels.
If you haven’t read Ubik, it’s about how the reach of corporate culture extends into the land of the dead. It also features the creepiest villian, besides Enron’s Andy Fastow, in American letters. I realize that Andy Fastow, detailed in this great book, is non-fiction. But as PKD once said, Ubik is non-fiction!!
The other 3 Dick novels in the volume are: The Man in the High Castle, The 3 Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Unfortunately, no Martian Time Slip.)
BLADE RUNNER!!!
A Scanner Darkly is also quite excellent. PKD's short stories are worth a read as well.
He is the author for our present era. Cynical and conspiratorial stories set in a vaguely authoritarian dystopia.
I think his best work is his last, Radio Free Albemuth. And still so relevant:
Plot Summary:
In the late 1960's, a paranoid incompetent has schemed his way into the White House and convulsed America in a vicious war against imaginary internal enemies. A struggling science fiction writer named Philip K. Dick is trying to keep from becoming one of that war's casualties. And Dick's best friend, a record executive named Nicholas Brady, is receiving transmissions from an extraterrestrial entity that may also happen to be God - an entity that apparently wants him to overthrow the President.
his short stories are great, and are a great place to start. i read on the bus to and from work, and i particularly like reading pkd during these trips because the paranoia and insanity from his words seep into your brain and you start thinking that everyone around you is a simulacrum or that puddle of body fluid on the floor is actually telepathic slime mold.
currently i'm reading dr. bloodmoney.
The 3 Stigmata... is the craziest fucking book I've ever read. Genius.
I vote for Valis.
You all are high "Flow my Tears, the Policeman Said" is not only his best novel but the best english language title EVER.
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