Vulcan's Hammer in Philip K Dick

Dec 22, 2012 Ümit Mutlu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: foreign, favorites, science-fiction, sf-metis

Okuduğum en süper distopyalardan biri. Ama tabii ki PKD'den beklenecek bir durum bu. Ayrıca çok güzel, hatta özet tadında bir cümle de ihtiva ediyor:

"Devrimci hareketler oportünistleri her zaman çekmiştir." ...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Jason rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction, sociological-sci-fi, dystopian, pkd

I don't know what it is about P.K. Dick, but I love what are considered his "lesser" novels over his "greatest achievements." While I love his novel, THE 3 STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRICH (considered a "great achievement"), I did not care for his Hugo winning, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (considered his "GREATEST achievement"). With that said, I look at the amount of his novels I've read & find myself gravitating to the smaller books--the ones written in his most prolific period over a span of a coupl I don't know what it is about P.K. Dick, but I love what are considered his "lesser" novels over his "greatest achievements." While I love his novel, THE 3 STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRICH (considered a "great achievement"), I did not care for his Hugo winning, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (considered his "GREATEST achievement"). With that said, I look at the amount of his novels I've read & find myself gravitating to the smaller books--the ones written in his most prolific period over a span of a couple years. It is said that while whacked out on amphetamines, Dick wrote over 11 novels & VULCAN'S HAMMER is one of the many results of this binge & it's one of my favorites. It is within these novels I believe Dick's mind was literally working overtime--producing some of the most far-out concepts (many repeated but, nevertheless, thought provoking) he had ever conjured with his fevered brain. They are some of his best even though many believe they are half-baked concepts. Regardless, they are influential. Like it or not, Dick did blow the minds of his peers & many hated him for it (I'm looking at you, Mr. Ellison).

VULCAN'S HAMMER could be a precursor to Skynet. Vulcan 3 is the computer sanctioned to run everything within society & the new society engulfs the globe for all nations are one under the control of the city sized mainframe. As usual, paranoia reigns supreme & one Global Director believes Vulcan 3 has become so paranoid, it views humanity as it's enemy. Why? Because some directors have revisited Vulcan 2 for more clear data on a rebel group trying to overthrow the new society. Vulcan 3 is a jealous computer.

It's a fun novel--one that is overlooked but lays the groundwork for future novels/short stories by Dick. I believe if you are a huge P.K. Dick junkie, you will enjoy this book for what it is: pure sociological science fiction. A novel which, may not be his best, but one which will stay in the back of your mind. &, according to Philip K. Dick's world, that might not be such a bad thing.

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