Jump to content
  • entries
    421
  • comments
    3,998
  • views
    373,927

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

Black Six

Entry posted by Black Six

658 views

 Share

Hey everyone, I hope those who celebrate all had a Merry Christmas. Mine was fairly uneventful. As some of you may recall, I got my main present back in November, so there weren't many presents under the tree for me. I got a book, some of the Star Wars DVDs, and some other little stuff. The book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, we quickly read, and thoroughly enjoyed, so I figured I'd share my thoughts on it here.

 

The book is the basis for the movie Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and featuring Harrison Ford. I watched the movie many years ago, but it was on network TV, so it was edited. Plus, it's a long movie to begin with, so with the commercials, it was, let's see... Well, let's just say I fell asleep and never saw the end. :P

 

Philip K. Dick also wrote the novel A Scanner Darkly and short story Minority Report, and since I enjoyed both of those movies, I figured I'd give the books a try.

 

I wasn't disappointed in the least. The book is full of twists and turns, and is almost impossible to predict what's going to happen next. Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter employed by the San Francisco Police Department to track down and 'retire' renegade androids. I don't want to give too much away, but he sees a lot of action in the single day the book takes place during. If you enjoy Science Fiction, and like stories that delve into the psyche of man, then this is for you. In many regards, the action plays second string to the mental journey Deckard undergoes as he ends up reevaluating his morals and beliefs. His interaction with the androids he kills is the vehicle that causes this change, and nearly costs him his life in a few instances.

 

I can't really compare it to the movie, since I remember so little, but some things in the book immediately strike me as unfamiliar, meaning they're not in the movie at all. The changes I remember simplify the story on the big screen version, but the overall idea remains the same, which is more than can be said of many other adaptations.

 

The book is meant for adults, so I don't recommend it for younger children, but if anything I've said interests you, go and give it a read, you won't regret it.

 Share

9 Comments

Recommended Comments

Kika

I haven't read the book, but I can say that the "Tears in the Rain" speech is one of my favorite moments in film. It's an excellent, though a little dark movie, and I hope to get the book soon.

Link to comment
Dinobot The Maximal

A Scanner Darkly was an amazing movie, I've been meaning to look into checking out some of Phillip K Dick's other writings lately, maybe next time I go hunting for Legends #6 I'll pick up the book.

DtM

Link to comment
Pekel

I believe Dick also had some mental issues which might explain continuity issues in the book. Many major plot improbabilities - like the android police station - were pretty glossed over. Still, I enjoyed the book enough to keep it when I was returning my other school books. Also kept the cyberpunk short stories and Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Best Literature class ever. <3

 

Though I wish the toad at the end was real. I remember talking to you about this book when I was reading it, glad you got to it yourself.

Link to comment
Black Six

I believe Dick also had some mental issues which might explain continuity issues in the book. Many major plot improbabilities - like the android police station - were pretty glossed over. Still, I enjoyed the book enough to keep it when I was returning my other school books. Also kept the cyberpunk short stories and Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Best Literature class ever.

 

Though I wish the toad at the end was real. I remember talking to you about this book when I was reading it, glad you got to it yourself.

Sounds like a pretty sweet class indeed. I had hoped the toad was real too. I mean really, how else would it have gotten all the way to Oregon? And that poor goat...

Link to comment
Tarakava II

I've read that book twice. Fantastic novel. As for the toad, I liked the irony that although it was fake, he still accepted that, and moved on with it.

 

It's worth noting that BR is based loosely on DADOES, and was never meant to be a full adaption, at least, as it stands, which is why there are so many differences, like Replicant issues, Mercerism, nuclear fallout, etc.

 

I should also mention that Blade Runner is my absolute all-time favorite movie.

 

Tears in Rain is, simply put, the best bit of film dialog ever.

 

Oh yeah, not to be a pain, but it's Rick Deckard.

Link to comment
King Kobra

Nice. I might just read this book, seeing as it fits my style very well.

 

Gee Black Six, you're mood seems so much lighter when you're not on-duty. :P

 

 

 

<I>Kobra<I>

Link to comment
Nickbomb

Book sounds interesting B6. Would you recommend it for the teenager group? Or would you meant by adult as being 17 or 18+?

 

 

Nickbomb B)

Link to comment
Black Six

Book sounds interesting B6. Would you recommend it for the teenager group? Or would you meant by adult as being 17 or 18+?

 

 

Nickbomb B)

If you enjoy reading and think what I talked about was interesting, go for it. It can be graphic at times, both in violence and sexual themes, so it should only be read if you're able to handle that kind of stuff.

Link to comment
Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
×
  • Create New...