Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep Buddy Read - Starts July 12

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

This is a casual buddy read for Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay. Keeping it kind of casual/loose. Mr. Tremblay’s books always leave me with a lot to ponder so I’ll be here to discuss with others if anyone else chooses to pick it up and leave their thoughts.

On a side note- I saw Paul speak about this in person and was warned it’s pretty dark so if you need content warnings please look them up or ask below I’d be happy to go digging for them.

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[Melanie, the neutral party]

I'm here but not sure when I'll get to this one.

[Squire]

I'll probably start this one Monday or Tuesday. Never read Tremblay before. This was an impulse buy for me. (I do that every now and again...)

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Melanie wrote: "I'm here but not sure when I'll get to this one."

No worries! I’ll be here.

Squire wrote: "I'll probably start this one Monday or Tuesday. Never read Tremblay before. This was an impulse buy for me. (I do that every now and again...)"

Thanks for joining! It’ll be interesting to get your thoughts as someone who has never read him before because Paul’s books are definitely unique (I mean this in a good way.)

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Just general first impressions, I’m only up to the 2nd Julia Chapter (have not read it yet).

The first chapter is very disorienting and could maybe be offputting, but I think stick with it. The whole book is not like that and it’s short.

I very much enjoyed chapter two. I really liked the humor and felt like we got a good sense of Julia’s character and backstory.

Minor:
(view spoiler)[how she categorizes her years had me laughing. 6th to worst year, teething and learning-to-walk bullshit, lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Shawnie]

Perfect timing for me to see this thread. I started listening to Ch 1 this morning for a YT bookclub. I've read A Head Full of Ghosts (4 stars) and the short In Bloom (3+ stars).

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Shawnie wrote: "Perfect timing for me to see this thread. I started listening to Ch 1 this morning for a YT bookclub. I've read A Head Full of Ghosts (4 stars) and the short In Bloom (3+ stars)."

Yes definitely come leave your thoughts! (Is the YT bookclub books and Lala by chance or is there another one I’m missing out on? It’s her July pick)

Loved a Head Full of Ghosts. One of my favorites from this author.

[Shawnie]

Sarah wrote: "Shawnie wrote: "Perfect timing for me to see this thread. I started listening to Ch 1 this morning for a YT bookclub. I've read A Head Full of Ghosts (4 stars) and the short In Bloom (3+ stars)."

..."

Yes, it is Kayla's - Booksandlala. :)

I'm about 25% in now and really enjoying it. I hadn't read a summary or blurb and went in blind. I'm fascinated and creeped out and horrified with Bernie. I wonder if we already have this technology.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Shawnie wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Shawnie wrote: "Perfect timing for me to see this thread. I started listening to Ch 1 this morning for a YT bookclub. I've read A Head Full of Ghosts (4 stars) and the short In Bloom ..."

She’s my fave :).

And in regard to the technology, god I hope not. lol.

[Squire]

Just finished the second "Julia" chapter. The only character I trust doesn't have any insidious motives is Uncle Fun. Not even sure Julia is on the level. Really like the "You" chapters.

[Squire]

And I LOVE the gloriously bad movies of the 80s. Weekend at Bernie's is a guilty pleasure mlvie of mine.

[Squire]

I suppose the creepy feeling I'm getting that AI might be controlling my own movements as I go through life is intentional. That's the point of the segments titled "You".

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I finished! Not that anyone cares but the ending was extra fun for me because I live about 5 minutes from where this all goes down.

I’ll admit I think I struggled a bit with the beginning two thirds of this. I found it a little bit slow, but I thought the last 100 pages or so were a blast.

(view spoiler)[I think if I had not overthought the Bernie/You chapters so much and just accepted them as they were I could have gotten the horror/creepy feeling others mentioned. But I was trying so hard to parse what might be happening on the outside of Bernie I feel like I missed it. If I was to give this a reread I would not do that. I’d just live in the moment of the chapter.

I thought the ending was perfect. I kept wondering as I was getting closer how the hell he was going to wrap it up in the amount of time/pages he had left in a satisfactory way but he did it.


I also really liked the moments where he broke the 4th wall, I thought that was fun. (hide spoiler)]

[Squire]

I've finished as well. Will post my review here later when I'm at a computer and using the app. 😉

EDIT: Here's my review:

Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep"

There's at least 2 more Tremblay books I want to make room for.

[Camelia Rose]

I just finished the book. This is my first Paul Tremblay. I don't usually read horror, but this one is more sci-fi than horror and I noticed this book is of course because of the PKD reference. The voice of "You" is confusing at first but it makes sense in the end.

Here is my review: Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep