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A review by nihilisk
Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick
4.0
Took me by surprise, as I have never heard this book mentioned in discussions about PKD. All of his central themes are present here: mental illness; concentric, rippling rings of conflict; the Everyman’s life a mere plaything for vast conspiratorial forces; and even a few brief flashes of the spiritual. The characters are unforgettable, especially a telepathic slime mold by the name of Lord Running Clam.
Only PKD could achieve something coherent and entertaining out of all this. As in every work of his, there is no telling how things will end. PKD has a knack for abandoning budding conflicts and possible plot twists because they simply don’t work out in the world. I’ve always found this to be refreshing, and contrary to my intuitions shaped by predictable Hollywood plots. This book should be rewarding for PKD fans and newbies alike, and while I don’t read PKD with an analytical focus, I did notice some interesting motifs here, such as the different self-defense mechanisms employed by Terrans and non-Ts alike.
Only PKD could achieve something coherent and entertaining out of all this. As in every work of his, there is no telling how things will end. PKD has a knack for abandoning budding conflicts and possible plot twists because they simply don’t work out in the world. I’ve always found this to be refreshing, and contrary to my intuitions shaped by predictable Hollywood plots. This book should be rewarding for PKD fans and newbies alike, and while I don’t read PKD with an analytical focus, I did notice some interesting motifs here, such as the different self-defense mechanisms employed by Terrans and non-Ts alike.