Reviews

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams by Philip K. Dick

pot_licious's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

franchescanicole's review

2.0

This anthology was ok; some of the stories were really interesting like the story about the 20th century exhibit but as I kept reading, the stories were getting boring and a drag to read. The last story, especially, was dull, and I couldn't keep seriously reading. I had high hopes for it because I heard a lot about Philip K. Dick.

brireading's review against another edition

4.0

some cool sci-if stories!!! my favorites were the hanging stranger and the father-thing

lizardking_no1's review against another edition

mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

burritapal_1's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Exhibit Piece, 3 stars

A 20th century expert at the History Museum has an exhibit that displays a typical 20th Century House. He hears a noise inside and goes to investigate, and finds he has crossed a Time Bridge. He decides to stay, thinking it's better than the 22nd century he came from. Until the ending.

"Miller straightened his collar and bright hand-painted necktie. He smoothed down his blue pinstripes coat, expertly lit a pipe full of two-Century-old tobacco, and returned to his spools."

No way.

Commuter, 4 stars

"across the aisle a tall man in a light coat got to his feet, put his hat on, and moved rapidly toward the door. He leaped down from the train, onto the ground. Paine watched him, fascinated. The man walked rapidly away from the train across the dark fields. He moved with purpose, heading toward the bank of gray haze. 

The man rose. He was walking a foot off the ground. He turned to the right. He rose again, now just three feet off the ground. For a moment he walked parallel to the ground, still heading away from the train. Then he vanished into the bank of haze. He was gone."

By going into the past, finding a town on the railroad line that previously didn't exist, Macon Heights, a railroad employee changes his present. When he tries to go back, everything is changed. But he can't remember...

The Impossible Planet, 4 stars

The ending is a bit like Planet of the Apes ending, where the human sees the Statue of Liberty buried in the sand at the seashore. But instead of the Statue of liberty, the captain of the spaceship finds a coin with the legend on it e pluribus unum.

The Hanging Stranger, 4 stars

This story makes me think about the way the planet is being destroyed, the way we're falling into Fascism and the end of humanity, and people are going around as if nothing is happening, they're making new humans as if there's any tomorrow left for those new humans.

Sales Pitch, 2 stars

Morris has to commute from Ganymede back to earth, from his job. When the story opens, he finally reaches home and when his wife greets him he asks 

"... 'what's for dinner?'

Sally gave his hat and coat to the closet.'We're having Uranium wild pheasant; your favorite dish.'

Morris' mouth watered, and a tiny surge of energy crawled back into his exhausted body. 'no kidding? What the hell is the occasion?' "

Seriously, Uranium wild pheasant?

And....

" Sally swept breathlessly into the living room, her breasts quivering with excitement. 'what is it? Oh!' She saw The robot and halted uncertainly. 'ed, did you order something? Are we buying something?' "

A worker is so dogged by a robot that self-advertises, and won't leave until Ed and Sally Buy it, that he commits suicide, taking the robot with him.

The Father-Thing, 4 stars

This reminds me of that 1050s movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

" he got the rake and pushed it down to stir the remains. They were dry. They cracked and broke at the touch of the rake. They were like a discarded snake skin, flaky and crumbling, rustling at the touch. An empty skin. The insides were gone. The important part. This was all that remained, just the brittle, cracking skin, wadded down at the bottom of the trash barrel in a little heap. This was all the father-thing had left; it had eaten the rest. Taken the insides - and his father's place."

" the negro boy had raised a concrete stone. In the moist, rotting soil the light gleamed on a metallic body. A thin, jointed thing with endless crooked legs was digging frantically. Plated, like an ant; a red-brown bug that rapidly disappeared before their eyes. Its Rows of legs scabbed and clutched. The ground gave rapidly under it. Its wicked-looking tail Twisted furiously as it struggled down the tunnel it had made." (It controls the father-thing. )

" a shape, a silent, unmoving shape that grew up from the mound of Filth like some nocturnal mushroom. A white column, a pulpy mass that glistened moistly in the moonlight. Webs covered it, a moldy cocoon. It had vague arms and legs. An indistinct half-Shaped head. As yet, the features hadn't formed. But he could tell what it was. 

A mother-thing. Growing here in the filth and dampness, between the garage and the house. Behind the Towering bamboo. 

It was almost ready. Another few days and it would reach maturity. It was still a larva, white and soft and pulpy. But the sun would dry and Warm it. Harden its shell. Turn it dark and strong. It would emerge from its cocoon, and one day when his mother came by the garage... behind the mother-thing were other pulpy white larva, recently laid by the bug. Small. Just coming into existence. He could see where the father-thing had broken off; the place where it had grown. It had matured here. And in the garage, his father had met it."

The Hood Maker, 4 stars

From the intro, by Matthew Graham

"... it spoke to the theme of the story -- What secrets do we have the right to keep? Should all our thoughts be sacred even if they are dark or dangerous ones? Do I have the right to read your mind if I believe it's in the National interest? Can I hide? Is that wrong?"

Something similar is coming our way soon (having our minds read). But at least in this story, the mind readers are "vanquished. "

Foster, You're Dead, 3 stars

342 million population in U.S. 2024

170 million population in U.S. 1971

" '... they always said the way to sell something was create anxiety in people. Create a sense of insecurity -- tell them they smell bad or look funny. But this makes a joke out of deodorant and hair oil. You can't escape this. If you don't buy, they'll kill you. The perfect sales pitch. Bye or die - new slogan. Have a shiny new General Electric H-bomb shelter in your backyard or be slaughtered.' "

Human Is, 3 stars

How's this?

" 'you have to make allowances,' Frank said. 'after all, he's a scientist.'

'I don't care,' Jill said. 'I'm leaving him. As soon as he gets back from Rexor IV. I've made up my mind.'

Her brother was silent, deep in thought. He stretched his feet out, onto the lawn of the little garden. 'well, if you leave him you'll be free to marry again. You're still classed as sexually adequate, aren't you?' "

If my abusive husband was taken over by a nice alien, I'd keep the alien, too. You go Jill.

Autofac, 2 stars

" 'The Institute of Applied Cybernetics,' O'Neill explained, 'had complete control over the network. Blame the war. Blame the big noise along the lines of communication that wiped out the knowledge we need. In any case, The Institute failed to transmit its information to us, so we can't transmit our information to the factories -- the news that the war is over and we're ready to resume control of industrial operations.'

'and meanwhile,' Morrison added sourly, 'the damn Network expands and consumes more of our natural resources all the time.' "

Anthropomorphizing buildings and a scavenger ore cart: 

"The ore cart reached the edge of the ruined plain and halted briefly. Above it, the dot of black Still Circled the sky. For a time, the cart remained frozen.

'The Factory's trying to decide,' perine said.  'it needs the material, but it's afraid of that Hawk up there.' 

The factory debated and nothing stirred. Then the ore cart again resumed its unsteady crawl. It left the tangle of vines and started out across the blasted open plain. Painfully, with infinite caution, it headed toward the slab of dark concrete and metal at the base of the mountains."

jadeacqe's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

thepamz's review against another edition

4.0

Muy buena compilación de cuentos cortos. No soy tan fan de la idea de que nuestro futuro es horrible, sin importar la combinación de acontecimientos, pero son historias interesantes y diferentes entre sí. Me mantuvo entretenida.

sjk1984's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

A Journey into the Uncanny Mind of Philip K. Dick: "Electric Dreams" Review

Philip K. Dick's "Electric Dreams" serves as a captivating introduction to the enigmatic world of this prolific science fiction writer. Your first foray into Dick's material exposes you to a collection of short stories that share a common thread of making readers ponder humanity's trajectory in the vast universe. The stories compel readers to reflect on the consequences of their decisions and actions, leaving a lingering sense of contemplation after each narrative.

Dick's unique talent lies in his ability to seamlessly blend thought-provoking concepts with an eerily beautiful writing style. The narratives, reminiscent of shows like "The Outer Limits," "The Twilight Zone," and "Black Mirror," showcase his mastery in crafting tales that are both lovely and refreshing, yet simultaneously daunting and alarming. This dichotomy creates a reading experience that is both intriguing and unsettling, challenging readers to grapple with the complexities of the human condition.

The collection serves as a gateway to a new kind of writing, offering a fresh perspective that you may not have encountered before. The stories, like portals into alternate realities, invite readers to explore the intricacies of Dick's imagination. The literary journey is rewarding, providing insights into speculative futures and dystopian landscapes that echo with relevance in our own world.

While the experience leaves you glad to have delved into the collection, there's a sense that returning to Dick's material might require some time. The depth and intensity of his narratives, coupled with the profound philosophical questions they raise, make it an immersive experience that may warrant intervals for reflection and digestion.

In conclusion, "Electric Dreams" is a testament to Philip K. Dick's prowess in pushing the boundaries of conventional science fiction. Through a tapestry of thought-provoking stories, he invites readers to question the nature of humanity and the potential ramifications of our choices. For those seeking a literary journey that challenges the mind and stirs the imagination, Dick's collection stands as a compelling and unforgettable exploration into the unknown.

powisamy's review

4.0

I had been looking forward to this set of short stories for a long while. I had heard amazing things about Phillip K. Dick's work and being a massive fan of all things sci-fi I knew that I should probably read some of his work especially as the TV show of this looked really good! Electric Dreams, therefore, didn't disappoint bringing interesting and unique stories to life that was captivating to read about.

One of the best parts of this collection is the idea that you get notes from the writer/producer of every single episode discuss this before the short story begins. This is really great to see how the story was adapted and what parts were included for a specific reason. This is so special because how many other books is this something that you get to see. It highlights the writing process so this was great to read about especially I as like to write myself.

I started reading these stories in order of the TV show so I could see how the differed throughout which was definitely something that was quite useful to as to see the differences between the two. In some cases, I really did like this idea and how they changed it. For others it was different. The only thing that is not the publisher's fault is that they are not in the order the shows airs them so you do have to find the stories throughout but there is a contents page so this is not too hard.

So although I really enjoyed some stories others just didn't connect with me but I feel like this is something that happens with any short story collections and of course, this means that there is something for everyone. My favourites included The Hood Maker, The Impossible Planet and the Commuter and I really do like these stories but just did not connect with others.

Saying that though, I really did like this story collection and will hopefully read more of Phillip K. Dick's work in the future!

The Verdict:

Electric Dreams is a must for sci-fi fans who must dive deep into the mind of Phillip K. Dick which equal parts scary and interesting.

immaturetony's review against another edition

5.0

K. Dick's stories are great 'cos they're grounded in an "everyman" view where the people involved, usually bewildered and scrambling, aren't quite fully petty nor wholly heroic. I think that's what I love most about them.

Each story being introduced by some folks who made a filmed adaptation of said story was a fun framing, a way back in to exploring some more of this stuff I was entranced and creeped out by as a kid. And it was fun to watch the filmed versions after and compare (I've tended to like the written version more in all but one occasion - "Real Life").

Oh, and man... "Horizon: Zero Dawn" owes *a lot* to Autofac I think.