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warped_star's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably one of my favorite books. It was incredibly entertaining and even funny at times, but also dove into true mania behind addiction.
The split personas in the story are really interesting and add that sci-fi flare we love PKD for, but the setting wasn’t too heavy on the tech. The story allowed the tech to just be subtle enough to allow the reader a very relatable near future environment. I also felt he did an excellent job at describing the desolate, hot, and dusty amber look of Los Angeles.
The book is incredibly sad though. Although it is fiction, it is loosely based off of real experiences. Anyone who has suffered drug addiction would relate to this story deeply. Everything from the mania, to the feinding, to the mobbing, to the depressing over usage in one single persons apartment every time. It is so realistic, but adds a level of mystery as well.
It’s a fucked up, drug-driven, cat and mouse game of who-done-it… but instead of murder it’s trying to figure out who smeared shit on ur car engine? Who destroyed your weird visual comtraption? Who was I yesterday? And who am I today?
Last thing I’ll say, I cried heavily at the end and remembered all my loved ones lost to abuse. There’s a list of all his loved ones at the end, and I added my own. Very cathartic, but incredibly depressing.
The split personas in the story are really interesting and add that sci-fi flare we love PKD for, but the setting wasn’t too heavy on the tech. The story allowed the tech to just be subtle enough to allow the reader a very relatable near future environment. I also felt he did an excellent job at describing the desolate, hot, and dusty amber look of Los Angeles.
The book is incredibly sad though. Although it is fiction, it is loosely based off of real experiences. Anyone who has suffered drug addiction would relate to this story deeply. Everything from the mania, to the feinding, to the mobbing, to the depressing over usage in one single persons apartment every time. It is so realistic, but adds a level of mystery as well.
It’s a fucked up, drug-driven, cat and mouse game of who-done-it… but instead of murder it’s trying to figure out who smeared shit on ur car engine? Who destroyed your weird visual comtraption? Who was I yesterday? And who am I today?
Last thing I’ll say, I cried heavily at the end and remembered all my loved ones lost to abuse. There’s a list of all his loved ones at the end, and I added my own. Very cathartic, but incredibly depressing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
jacobrgibson's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
fadedfortune's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
happyharlequin319's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can understand why this book could be triggering to some people, but as a person who’s also struggled with addiction, I really resonated with the way that PKD portrayed what it’s like. It’s completely brutal and honest about both the ups and the downs of addiction and the ultimate cost for so many. While I didn’t necessarily agree with every single point that PKD tried to make, I could understand where he was coming from, which made this book really thought-provoking for me. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a dark read set in a not too distant future (which is actually the past at this point). I’m a little torn on recommending this book for people who are/have been addicts in general. Just please be aware of where you’re at in life and know that this book could potentially be really triggering if you’re still struggling. That being said, it really helped me understand more about what I went through and helped me feel not so alone. So take with that what you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Gun violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
repeating_raccoon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
neonskylite's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
this book has an amazing sense for stoners shooting the shit which is probably from Dick's lived experience. has what has to be the most heartbreaking afterword
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
woyster's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
kayrae_42's review against another edition
This book is good, but it triggers things for me. I couldn't finish it because of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
attackrat's review against another edition
I have no patience anymore for authors who write misogynistic shit. I’ll watch the movie to get the premise, but I will not spend any more time on something ignorant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
ford_defect's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Excrement, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment