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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
A fairly fast read, this novel starts off as a small-town story. Strange things happening (or appearing to happen) give us the idea that the main character is paranoid or delusional. Then, like so much Philip K. Dick, everything goes round the bend. Still, regarding the slips of paper or what Vic saw on the bus, how much is actually there and how much exists only in the mind of Ragle Gumm?
Excellent example of his later writing, light enjoyable read but not without a bit of depth.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Time out of Joint definitely lighter Philip K. Dick. And out of the novels of his I've read, it's by far the pulpiest. It's also easily his least well-written, though that's not to say it's poorly written. Just when compared to his major novels, one can see how he's progressed as a writer. He would go on to write better characters and even more fascinating stories that play tricks on the mind. But the major Philip K. Dick trademark is here: What's reality? This idea is played out through the novel, and similar to Dick's writing style and technique, it's clear that though what's here is good, he would go on to create better works that deal with this theme. As I said, this is very pulpy. And as the truth is unraveled, the science fiction elements become more transparent. It's handled all right, I suppose; it certainly keeps the reader entertained, but it feels too one-dimensional. Whereas Dick's other novels played with other themes beside reality, this fails to do much else. As a result, this novel probably didn't need to be over two-hundred pages long, but it's a starting point.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced