# PKD Books
I read a lot. All kinds of stuff, but most of my life
have had a special place in my reading for sci-fi books
and short fiction. It all started with Ray Bradbury in
7th grade after being introduced to "A Sound of Thunder".
I devoured a large amount of what Mr. Bradbury wrote.
In the years since, I have read a mix of sci-fi greats
as well as lesser known books. Lots of great stuff, some
so-so stuff. However, I never really got around to
Philip Kindred Dick. I had, of course, seen Blade Runner,
but only ever read one or two short stories. From those,
I was not impressed. Then I moved on to a big period of
reading so-called "literary fiction".
Well, I finished a few great reads (Project Hail Mary by
Andy Weir, The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Naylor, and
Ammonite by Nicola Griffith) and was looking for something
to read. I do not know what made me think of PKD or why
I decided that it was finally time to give his works a
try in earnest.
I finished 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' a day or
two ago. I really enjoyed it. I tend to read "hard sci-fi"
and I would not exactly call what I have read of PKD at
this point "hard sci-fi"... but, maybe a little like
Ray Bradbury, he connects into very human worries and fears
and experiences (though with a greater focus on religion
and politics). He does this without turning the story into
space opera/soap opera with tons of melodrama... or at least
not in very on the nose ways.
I really loved a part in second third of Do Androids Dream
of Electric Sheep where he writes it in a way that you call
into question the validity of just about everything you
have read up to that point. The main character is also taking
part in this questioning, as the world has seemingly and
convincingly been turned upside down. It was really great
and I did not expect it.
The book was soooo different from the film (Blade Runner).
Both have good and less good things about them. I think
in the end I liked the book more. A very enjoyable read.
---
Reading it gave me the drive to read more of his work. So
I am currently reading "Galactic Pot-Healer". It is much
lighter in tone so far. It reminds me a little bit of
Robert Sheckley's "Dimension of Miracles". Mostly in that
it strikes a very absurdist tone. Just earlier when I was
reading it started to take on a bit more weight, which is
good -- I never finished Dimension of Miracles, it was just
too much fluff and farce. I think I will like this one.
I also picked up, but have not read "Now Wait for Last Year".
That is next on my list.
Do you read PKD stuff and have suggestions? Let me know:
[email protected]
The internet seems to think I should read Ubik.
