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A review by adamgolden
A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick
5.0
(5/5★)
A Scanner Darkly has always been one of my favorite movies, and even though I knew it was based on a book, I never thought about reading it until now. On one hand, I wish I had read it earlier, because it is a great companion piece to the movie itself. On the other, I'm glad I read it now, as I have a more firm understanding of what addiction is like, and the (at times) negative effects that drugs can have on a person, such as paranoia, or psychosis.
While most of the novel deals with these themes, indicating a rather depressing and bleak look into the lives of the characters who are helplessly addicted, other parts are certainly comedic. The conversations they have are often hilarious and thought-provoking (in the sense that to understand them, you have to look at them from a weird, distorted perspective.) The inner dialogue of Robert Arctor is fascinating to watch progress, as he loses touch with himself and the reality surrounding him.
I also can't stress enough that this book was ahead of it's time - to think it was written over 40 years ago is a trip in and of itself. If you're a fan the movie, I highly recommend reading this book.
A Scanner Darkly has always been one of my favorite movies, and even though I knew it was based on a book, I never thought about reading it until now. On one hand, I wish I had read it earlier, because it is a great companion piece to the movie itself. On the other, I'm glad I read it now, as I have a more firm understanding of what addiction is like, and the (at times) negative effects that drugs can have on a person, such as paranoia, or psychosis.
While most of the novel deals with these themes, indicating a rather depressing and bleak look into the lives of the characters who are helplessly addicted, other parts are certainly comedic. The conversations they have are often hilarious and thought-provoking (in the sense that to understand them, you have to look at them from a weird, distorted perspective.) The inner dialogue of Robert Arctor is fascinating to watch progress, as he loses touch with himself and the reality surrounding him.
I also can't stress enough that this book was ahead of it's time - to think it was written over 40 years ago is a trip in and of itself. If you're a fan the movie, I highly recommend reading this book.