Byron 'Giggsy'’s Comments (group member since Aug 31, 2009)

Byron 'Giggsy'’s comments from the Philip K Dick group.

I found the explanation of Nicole odd. She is revealed to be an actress, with the true policy coming from board we didn't know about. But it sure seemed like she was making major decisions on demand, decisions that were made without the ability to consult with the true leaders, so its like she did have some control. And once revealed as just an actress it still seemed like she was in the leadership role making decisions effecting outcomes.

Anyone else get that from reading? That Dick's explanation didn't seem to jive?

Final thoughts after reading? I know I'm still digesting it, trying to decide where it fits in. If I have to rank it, I think this comes near the bottom of the list of the PKD titles I've read, yet it still barely squeaked at a 4-star rating for me. I definitely liked it, not sure if I'll ever read a Dick novel I won't like.

Many of us commented on the initial thoughts thread about the number of characters and storylines introduced. In the end, it came together for me, I don't have a problem with the number of characters/storylines, but I don't think it was beautifully worked such that I'd point to that as an aspect of great writing

22% in - same as others, so many characters and initial storylines. I'm not quite sure where this is headed of how they will all tie together. don't like or dislike it yet - still too early, but normally for PKD reads I'm enthralled by this point

I'm going to read The Novelty Act after I read The Simulacra. I've found I'd rather read the shorter work last from past experiences

Paul wrote: "For anyone interested in PKD's Pink Beam experiences..."

I've always fantasized about having a psychedelic/experimental band (perhaps like what The Flaming Lips have become) and name the band The Pink Beam of Truth, and have some sort of pink laser beam (but not one that would burn our eyes out) aimed at each band member's head while they play.

So basically VALIS would be playing, and the humans would just be it's drones handling the instruments.

the publisher was probably harassing him to send in the manuscript and he said "fuck it" and sent it in as is

Sérgio wrote: "I'm sorry if I've become an overbearing presence in this topic but I think I have another one.


No worries, keep it coming. Remember, regardless of sexual preference, everyone here loves Dick!

this thread dedicated to thoughts/questions when reading the first 3rd or half of the novel. Avoid spoilers (mark them if you have to include them). there will be 1 more thread for final thoughts on the book that will be spoiler-free

David wrote: "Check out Mike Philbin's stuff most written under the name of Hertzan Chimera. Mike you seem more influenced by Burroughs than PKD and Bukkakeworld was very Kafkaesque"

Perhaps the only man more insane than Mike Philbin is Hertzan Chimera!

I've read Bukkakeworld and Yôroppa, and Yôroppa definitely reminded me of Burroughs. So Mike Philbin, which Philbin and Chimera titles are most Dickian?

From what I've read, I'm still at:

(1) Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said
(2) Ubik
(3) Radio Free Albemuth
(4) Scanner Darkly

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is potentially number 5 though, with Bladerunner of TV often, I catch parts of it, and it always leads to me thinking about the parts of the book that were left out of the movie. I plan to read soon the recent graphic novel version of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 1 which does contain the FULL ORIGINAL PKD text... so I'm curious to see how this moves up or down in my list as I read a graphic version that is still like reading the novel.

We've got The Simulacra queued up for a group read from September 1 to 25. Have any pre-read expectations to share or questions to ask?

I've been very eager to read some Farmer and Disch. I've got a few paperbacks on my shelf now, and having read the back covers of their books I had pegged them as potential peers to PKD.

Le Guin... I don't remember the details, but early on he praised her but later on he had some negative comments.

IMDB shows a worldwide release, in most countries late September through October.

I'm finding it interesting that PKD-influenced films are much closer to his works that the actual films based on one of this works. This film, Inception, and Natali's Cypher all remind of PKD more than Total Recall, Adjustment Bureau, etc..

and good find Pickle!

My second reading went much better too. While the novel is still very Dickian, it's also quite different from his others. It certainly was nothing like what I was expecting, so I think that factored into not liking it much the first time, but on the second time I could enjoy it for what it is.

From June 1 2012 to June 30 2012, the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club will be doing a group read of A Scanner Darkly.

I figure we all can just go over to their board and join in on a larger group discussion, including many that are probably reading only their 1st or 2nd PKD work.

I'm looking forward to it as well. But I think you have to distance your thoughts from PKD and the original story and just look at it as a potentially great sci-fi film.

One article I saw said this was going to be much closer to Dick's story than the first movie. Another article I saw said to consider this a remake of the first movie, and not a remake of the Dick story.

Hoping for the first, but I think we all know its likely to be the second.

good comment Michael... of course, they have invented drugs similar to Substance D!

true. Linklater was able to keep that movie close to the book, and I too was worried about the 'cartoonish' look, but in the end I loved it.. think it worked better that way than using CGI for the scramble suit and Arctor's split personalities.

Also, there is a graphic novel version of the film, that has the same look as the film. It works well as an adaption of the novel in my opinion too. I'd recommend it to any PKD fan that likes graphic novels. Perhaps those scared of the film would prefer this format. Found here: A Scanner Darkly Graphic Novel

Good question. I'd like to more about his influences too. Here is some of what I know:

I believe Powers and Jeter are more proteges of Dick than influences. Jeter's first novel is from 1975 and Powers' first is from 1976. They are both the basis for the Kevin and David characters in VALIS, and Jeter went on to write 3 Blade Runner sequels.

I'm itching to read Zelazny and I understand Zelazny's SF is similar to Dick.

I picked up a copy of Today We Choose Faces/Bridge of Ashes and hope to read it this year. Both books deal with a telepath as the main character, and we all know how common telepaths were in Dick's books. Today We Choose Faces is dedicated to: "Philip K. Dick, electric shephard" - which I thought was pretty cool. And our trusted moderator Mohammed is a big Zelazny fan, so I'll pester him until he replies here.

I also understand as peers in the new age era of sci-fi that PKD and Ursula K Leguin both influenced each other, and strangely, went to the same high school together without knowing each other. See this page:

What Philip K. Dick learned about women from Ursula K. Le Guin