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Or because PKD is massively overrated? He had good ideas but didn't know how to finish a story.The Man in the High Castle (1962) - at least the second time reading this. Fly through the first half, then it gets to be a real slog. Once the American's start their jewellery business I really lose interest. Because I'm thick probably.
No but it's probably the first one that cements it in the form we recognise (a dedicated machine to go back in time). There were a few in a similar vein in the 1800s, possibly even one or two earlier than that and there are arguments that fantasy stories where the protagonist falls asleep for years and years are time travel stories. I'm not so sure about that personally, I think they're different enough to be something else. I think HG Wells even wrote another book about time travel before this? I'm not an expert on Wells though.The Time Machine (1895) - Yeah, fine. Is this the first time travel story?
Or because PKD is massively overrated? He had good ideas but didn't know how to finish a story.
I like PKD but I didn't really enjoy High Castle. I think he did actually know how to finish a book, though, and he had lots of good stuff that's more enjoyable/satisfying than this one, in my opnion. I don't think he's overrated -- just his name is associated with slick movies that turn out to be nothing like his rather nerdy, eccentric books. If anything that's cynical branding and not PKD's fault.The Man in the High Castle (1962) - at least the second time reading this. Fly through the first half, then it gets to be a real slog. Once the American's start their jewellery business I really lose interest. Because I'm thick probably.
Some Freebies
Treasure Island (1883) - Good craic. I think I was drunk reading the end because I had to Wiki it a few weeks later.
The Time Machine (1895) - Yeah, fine. Is this the first time travel story?
What PKD would you rate? I’ve read High Castle, Electric Sheep and A Glass Darkly and didn’t particularly get much from any of them. The only PKD-related movie I’ve seen is the Blade Runner sequel.I like PKD but I didn't really enjoy High Castle. I think he did actually know how to finish a book, though, and he had lots of good stuff that's more enjoyable/satisfying than this one, in my opnion. I don't think he's overrated -- just his name is associated with slick movies that turn out to be nothing like his rather nerdy, eccentric books. If anything that's cynical branding and not PKD's fault.
Really, so you haven't seen the first Bladerunner but you saw the second? I've only read a few of his books but I actually liked Electric Sheep quite a bit. A Scanner Darkly was pretty good overall, I thought, though maybe a bit boring here and there. I think Ubik was my favourite, though it was pretty high on the inaccessible-PKD scale. In general, I find his writing just hard to come to terms with though, so I can see why it wouldn't resonate. I still don't think I quite get it. It's often stilted and his sense of humour is confusing -- you wonder if he's trying to be funny or if he was just on acid or something. I wonder if at the time they came out and the whole California hippy scene etc, would you get the feel for it more. And I guess if you're used to a more classic humorist like Vonnegut or an excellent stylist like Steinbeck (as other US, post-Hemingway white men) he can come across as just a pulpy weirdo, or second rate. But I like his ideas and his stories do engage me. His early short stories are lots of fun.What PKD would you rate? I’ve read High Castle, Electric Sheep and A Glass Darkly and didn’t particularly get much from any of them. The only PKD-related movie I’ve seen is the Blade Runner sequel.
Probably the book that I've read most often, fucking love it. Read it to my eldest when she was about 8 - once I'd finish a page she'd say "ok very good dad, now what did that all mean" and then I'd have to explain it to her in normal English. Pretty sure I read it myself when I was about the same age, I guess I'm just brainier than my childrenTreasure Island (1883) - Good craic. I think I was drunk reading the end because I had to Wiki it a few weeks later.
It was on TV one night and my wife wanted to watch it. I’ve always meant to watch the original but haven’t managed it. I keep an eye out for it on TV but it’s never on. Strikes me as the kind of thing Film4 should show from time to time but no dice.Really, so you haven't seen the first Bladerunner but you saw the second?
I read it around that age, 7 or 8, and I got it and I liked it too - but I haven't read it since haha. Kind of wouldn't mind going through it again.Probably the book that I've read most often, fucking love it. Read it to my eldest when she was about 8 - once I'd finish a page she'd say "ok very good dad, now what did that all mean" and then I'd have to explain it to her in normal English. Pretty sure I read it myself when I was about the same age, I guess I'm just brainier than my children
The ones written by Alfred BesterWhat PKD would you rate?
Hmm, I think we probably have different tastes. I loved A Confederacy of Dunces. Lucky Jim I thought was pretty decent, if not laugh-out-loud funny. But there you go. (I've not read Cold Comfort Farm.)It was on TV one night and my wife wanted to watch it. I’ve always meant to watch the original but haven’t managed it. I keep an eye out for it on TV but it’s never on. Strikes me as the kind of thing Film4 should show from time to time but no dice.
I thought A Scanner Darkly was awful, it struck me as a bad take on Burroughs with its drugs-meets-dystopia vibes. I never got the impression that there was any humour in it, or indeed in anything I’ve read by him. Then again, most of the “hilarious” books of the 20th century are woeful by my reckoning (see A Confederacy of Dunces, Cold Comfort Farm, Lucky Jim, etc.). Being pulpy isn’t an issue for me, but I think I’m more Weird Tales than whatever PKD is classed as.
downgrading my review from 'grand' to 'not great'.Bought these the other day
- Sinead O'Conor: Rememberings
3/4s the way through Rememberings. An entertaining read. On a scale of shite to good, its grand.
Unrelated question , has anyone ever read Frazer's The Golden Bough? I feel like I need a proper study guide or lecture series to help explain it to me because I never did classics and I haven't a clue what's being referenced 99% of the time. It's such a foundational text though that I feel like I should struggle through.
Lol best of luckJust got a copy of this. Excited to delve in
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