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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.
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.
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.
tbueno's review against another edition
5.0
Ótimo livro de contos do Philip K. Dick! O que eu mais gosto das histórias de PKD, presente também em outros de seus livros, são as suas distorções sutis de realidade, e seu estilo de ficção muito menos científica e mais filosófica.
Aqui não existe raio laser, guerras interplanetárias ou marcianos verdes. As melhores histórias giram em torno no questionamento de o que é realidade. Seria realidade aquilo que você vê, sente e acredita? Ou aquilo que os outros aceitam coletivamente?
Cada conto de PKD lhe garante horas de reflexões divertidas se perguntando: e se o que achamos ser realidade na verdade é outra coisa?
Aqui não existe raio laser, guerras interplanetárias ou marcianos verdes. As melhores histórias giram em torno no questionamento de o que é realidade. Seria realidade aquilo que você vê, sente e acredita? Ou aquilo que os outros aceitam coletivamente?
Cada conto de PKD lhe garante horas de reflexões divertidas se perguntando: e se o que achamos ser realidade na verdade é outra coisa?
momentsnotice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
qalminator's review against another edition
Picked this up on deal and plan on reading a story, then going to watch the Amazon tv version of/inspired by that story. This edition has commentary from the film-makers before each story. I don't expect I'll comment on most of those... maybe after I've seen the Amazon version. We'll see.
Introduction (Exhibit Piece) • (2017) • essay by Ronald D. Moore
Exhibit Piece • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (4 stars) [dystopia, escape(?), lone female of the species] - Enjoyable yarn, with an ending ambiguous enough to drive a truck through. Expert in 20th century history (from some ill-defined, dystopian future) finds himself in an exhibit suddenly come to life, and decides he'd rather stay there.
Adaptation: Okay, as indicated, this one just borrowed the idea of a virtual world indistinguishable from real life, and ignored most of the rest of the story. It was actually a much more compelling story in the show version, but lost the light-hearted nostalgia. Also, I have a problem with the whole "everyone thinks they need to be punished for their sins" nonsense. Some people? Yes. Everyone? Not by a long shot. Oh, the ending to the show is not at all ambiguous.
Introduction (The Commuter) (2017) • essay by Jack Thorne
The Commuter (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (5 stars) Ticket sellers for a train experience time instability, when a commuter repeatedly shows up wanting tickets to "Macon Heights," which doesn't exist. Very smoothly written, and with a fascinating conclusion.
Adaptation: [Note: this is episode 9 on the show] - Huh. This one kept the overall shape of the plot intact, but fleshed out how Macon Heights "works". A quote from Granny Weatherwax came to mind: "You can't go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it's just a cage." The result is a far more disturbing story than the original.
Introduction (The Impossible Planet) • (2017) • essay by David Farr
The Impossible Planet • (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (3 stars) Elderly woman wants to book a trip to Earth, in an era where no one knows where Earth actually was. Intriguing idea, but I would rather have seen more exploration into choosing the likely candidate. It seemed too pat that. I also found the ending disappointing. Don't people collect interesting found objects in the future?
Adaptation: [Note: This is Episode 8] Okay, I like the adaptation better than the story. In this version, Earth's location is known, but it's no longer safe to travel there, so they take her to a system with the right number of planets, where the third planet has a single moon. The ending could arguably be a hallucination, but Norton's flash-forwards suggest otherwise.
Introduction (The Hanging Stranger) • (2017) • essay by Dee Rees
The Hanging Stranger • (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (3.5 stars) Enjoyable, with a fascinating idea, but I felt like something was missing. Partly, I think it would have been more interesting without.
Adaptation: [Note: this is Episode 10, Kill All Others]
74 • Introduction (Sales Pitch) • (2017) • essay by Tony Grisoni
76 • Introduction (Sales Pitch) • (2017) • interior artwork by Tony Grisoni
77 • Sales Pitch • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick
96 • Introduction (The Father-Thing) • (2017) • essay by Michael Dinner
98 • The Father-Thing • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick
114 • Introduction (The Hood Maker) • (2017) • essay by Matthew Graham
117 • The Hood Maker • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
135 • Introduction (Foster, You're Dead) • (2017) • essay by Kalen Egan and Travis Sentell
138 • Foster, You're Dead • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
163 • Introduction (Human Is) • (2017) • essay by Jessica Mecklenburg
165 • Human Is • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
181 • Introduction (Autofac) • (2017) • essay by Travis Beacham
183 • Autofac • (1955) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
Introduction (Exhibit Piece) • (2017) • essay by Ronald D. Moore
Exhibit Piece • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (4 stars) [dystopia, escape(?), lone female of the species] - Enjoyable yarn, with an ending ambiguous enough to drive a truck through. Expert in 20th century history (from some ill-defined, dystopian future) finds himself in an exhibit suddenly come to life, and decides he'd rather stay there.
Adaptation: Okay, as indicated, this one just borrowed the idea of a virtual world indistinguishable from real life, and ignored most of the rest of the story. It was actually a much more compelling story in the show version, but lost the light-hearted nostalgia. Also, I have a problem with the whole "everyone thinks they need to be punished for their sins" nonsense. Some people? Yes. Everyone? Not by a long shot. Oh, the ending to the show is not at all ambiguous.
Introduction (The Commuter) (2017) • essay by Jack Thorne
The Commuter (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (5 stars) Ticket sellers for a train experience time instability, when a commuter repeatedly shows up wanting tickets to "Macon Heights," which doesn't exist. Very smoothly written, and with a fascinating conclusion.
Adaptation: [Note: this is episode 9 on the show] - Huh. This one kept the overall shape of the plot intact, but fleshed out how Macon Heights "works". A quote from Granny Weatherwax came to mind: "You can't go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it's just a cage." The result is a far more disturbing story than the original.
Introduction (The Impossible Planet) • (2017) • essay by David Farr
The Impossible Planet • (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (3 stars) Elderly woman wants to book a trip to Earth, in an era where no one knows where Earth actually was. Intriguing idea, but I would rather have seen more exploration into choosing the likely candidate. It seemed too pat that
Spoiler
the nearest 9 planet system where the third planet had a single moon happened to be the remains of earth, as evidenced by the coin, even if the tour guide never knew itAdaptation: [Note: This is Episode 8] Okay, I like the adaptation better than the story. In this version, Earth's location is known, but it's no longer safe to travel there, so they take her to a system with the right number of planets, where the third planet has a single moon. The ending could arguably be a hallucination
Spoiler
brought on by hypoxiaIntroduction (The Hanging Stranger) • (2017) • essay by Dee Rees
The Hanging Stranger • (1953) • short story by Philip K. Dick - (3.5 stars) Enjoyable, with a fascinating idea, but I felt like something was missing. Partly, I think it would have been more interesting without
Spoiler
being caused by aliens, if it were a human-manipulating-human thingAdaptation: [Note: this is Episode 10, Kill All Others]
74 • Introduction (Sales Pitch) • (2017) • essay by Tony Grisoni
76 • Introduction (Sales Pitch) • (2017) • interior artwork by Tony Grisoni
77 • Sales Pitch • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick
96 • Introduction (The Father-Thing) • (2017) • essay by Michael Dinner
98 • The Father-Thing • (1954) • short story by Philip K. Dick
114 • Introduction (The Hood Maker) • (2017) • essay by Matthew Graham
117 • The Hood Maker • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
135 • Introduction (Foster, You're Dead) • (2017) • essay by Kalen Egan and Travis Sentell
138 • Foster, You're Dead • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
163 • Introduction (Human Is) • (2017) • essay by Jessica Mecklenburg
165 • Human Is • (1955) • short story by Philip K. Dick
181 • Introduction (Autofac) • (2017) • essay by Travis Beacham
183 • Autofac • (1955) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
loobylo0's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
beentsy's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t love all these stories but The Father-Thing, The Hanging Stranger, Sales Pitch, and Foster, You’re Dead were exceptional. Very, very good.