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mrgeof's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My least favorite PK Dick book, of the half dozen or so I've read.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Once I had set up my phone to play the tracks IN ORDER, this made a lot more sense!!! It's in essence a linear enough story, but of course it's Philip K Dick, so it's rather far-out, mind-bending and very sci-fi.
I like to vary my genres and haven't read much Dick (Man in the High Castle many years ago, a few that were adapted into films), and thought this sounded good on audiobook.
The plot follows the turn in fortunes of Jason Taverner, big TV star who suddenly finds he doesn't exist anymore. In his search for ID in a police state, he runs into some very disturbing characters, does some soul-searching and gets involved in a murder investigation.
Just what is going on? Well, I'd be lying if I said I followed it all completely. There's a reason I don't read a lot of science fiction, and I do find it just passes me by at times. But I did enjoy Jason's story, and the narrator gives him a bluff and pompous voice that suited the personality. I can't say the same for a single female character though, I hated the voices of each of them, the narrator really wasn't cut out for women's voices. They grated and simpered and annoyed me throughout, and probably also affected my feelings about the characters as I didn't like a single woman in the book. Disturbed, self-obsessed and secondary to the men around them.
These are my initial thoughts after finishing, it's not a book I finished in triumph, feeling satisfied - I did feel I'd had a small mental workout and was glad I could move onto something easier to latch onto.
But I will continue to sample outside my comfort zone and look for examples of the best of every genre. Lots to recommend it, but not quite my cup of tea, though I did enjoy Jason.
Once I had set up my phone to play the tracks IN ORDER, this made a lot more sense!!! It's in essence a linear enough story, but of course it's Philip K Dick, so it's rather far-out, mind-bending and very sci-fi.
I like to vary my genres and haven't read much Dick (Man in the High Castle many years ago, a few that were adapted into films), and thought this sounded good on audiobook.
The plot follows the turn in fortunes of Jason Taverner, big TV star who suddenly finds he doesn't exist anymore. In his search for ID in a police state, he runs into some very disturbing characters, does some soul-searching and gets involved in a murder investigation.
Just what is going on? Well, I'd be lying if I said I followed it all completely. There's a reason I don't read a lot of science fiction, and I do find it just passes me by at times. But I did enjoy Jason's story, and the narrator gives him a bluff and pompous voice that suited the personality. I can't say the same for a single female character though, I hated the voices of each of them, the narrator really wasn't cut out for women's voices. They grated and simpered and annoyed me throughout, and probably also affected my feelings about the characters as I didn't like a single woman in the book. Disturbed, self-obsessed and secondary to the men around them.
These are my initial thoughts after finishing, it's not a book I finished in triumph, feeling satisfied - I did feel I'd had a small mental workout and was glad I could move onto something easier to latch onto.
But I will continue to sample outside my comfort zone and look for examples of the best of every genre. Lots to recommend it, but not quite my cup of tea, though I did enjoy Jason.
gcgulick's review
5.0
I loved this book, some may bellyache about it being just another romp in a Philip K. Dick universe, but I really enjoyed the absurdity of it all. The subjective / questionable reality, the commentary on identity and memory and the surreal imagery made this a memorable read.
robfarren's review against another edition
5.0
I'm currently rereading this one...it's even better than I remembered.
hakimbriki's review
4.0
One thing PKD doesn't get enough credit for is his ability to convey human emotion. No spoiler, but there's a bit toward the end that carries so much warmth, it made me lachrymose. I was not expecting that at all.
My pure enjoyment of this novel also stems from the themes of identity crisis, the whole "judge becoming the condemned" concept, and a complex, paranoia-fueled plot which unfolds against the background of a dark, dystopian future United States. Following Taverner on his journey was riveting, and each new page took me somewhere I did not anticipate. I understand a lot of people took issue with the ending, and I understand why that is, but it worked for me.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said will warm your heart, f@%$ you mind, and entrance you until the very end.
My pure enjoyment of this novel also stems from the themes of identity crisis, the whole "judge becoming the condemned" concept, and a complex, paranoia-fueled plot which unfolds against the background of a dark, dystopian future United States. Following Taverner on his journey was riveting, and each new page took me somewhere I did not anticipate. I understand a lot of people took issue with the ending, and I understand why that is, but it worked for me.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said will warm your heart, f@%$ you mind, and entrance you until the very end.
alesforz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
snuzzbobble's review against another edition
Felt sexist (although written from the protagonist's point of view, who is both sexist and racist). The protagonist was not compelling enough to continue reading.
jmcook's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.75
humito's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0