Ubik: A Novel

Philip K. Dick
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Ubik: A Novel

Philip K. Dick
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Overview

240 PAGESENGLISH

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Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 10 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["power","world","mind","book","reality"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Give it a Chance

"Some books just captivate you and pull you through page after page. Ubik is one of those books. If you've ever read the blurb and thought it's not for you, do yourself a favour and give it a chance. I kept skipping this one when looking for my next book thinking I wouldn't like the absurdist lean; it's not so goofy. Worth the read even for those who aren't into science fiction."

Chris H. (5/5)

*spoilers*

"The Matrix, before the Matrix. Seriously, mind-bending and psychotic, and absolutely perfect."

Philip (5/5)

Definitely worth a second read!

"This is the first book I've read by PKD and I'm happy I read it! The author does a great job of holding the readers interest while developing a complex storyline. Since reading this book I've bought A Scanner Darkly and will continue to read any book by PKD."

Ethan (4/5)

A Nightmare That Is Never Escaped

"This is PKD at his finest. In a world where the dead can be suspended in a dream-like state of half-life, and where psychic powers are prevalent are prevalent, the novel does not take long to descend into utter insanity. Following an attack on a group of psychic spies, characters soon experience bizarre occurrences and their grasp on reality slips away. They are swallowed up into nightmarish world that is succumbing to strange forces of disorder and decay, and the only thing that can maintain order is the guidance of their presumed dead boss, who seems to be communicating to them through the very fabric of the world they're in, and a substance called Ubik. Ubik is unchanging, and provides stability in a world that is becoming increasingly erratic ad threatening to melt into senselessness. As the characters try desperately to get a hold of Ubik and to the bottom of their predicament, the confusion and disarray only amplifies. Similarly, just as the reader begins to grasp their situation, to establish some sort of secondary reality that they inhabit made of the fragments of their inner selves, the apparent resolution is thrown completely in a baffling fashion. The novel resembles a dream that you're unsure if you've woken up from, it resembles the paranoia and confusion of a schizophrenic episode, a disconnected mind left to its inner workings. After witnessing such a powerful existential nightmare, an acute sense of uncertainty, of not being on solid ground, develops and remains even when the book is put down. This book will make you contemplate, not only the perplexing labyrinths of the mind, but the bewildering nature of reality and being itself. It is certainly a monument of sci-fi literature."

James (5/5)

Mind-bending

"Amazing. Takes a while to adjust back top reality after putting it down."

MatCauthon (5/5)

A bit of a thrill ride

"Another classic sci-fi book that feels a little like the author was making it up as he was writing, but in this case the story was interesting enough that the stream of consciousness thing actually knid of works."

GBurns (4/5)

Loved it

"Just started reading Philip K Dick's books and I gotta say I am a huge fan! There's a lot of parallel themes in his novels and similar things in multiple worlds (I just finished reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep). The worlds he builds are genuinely so rich and complex - I find myself completely enthralled in his books. Ubik was really good, super plot heavy and thrilling. Things change at a quick pace and you find yourself hanging onto every word to find out what happens next. I had to keep rereading to keep up with all the plot twists. I didn't particularly like the protagonist in this novel but still found it a great read!"

Jessica (5/5)

great book

"one of dick's many great sci-fi novels"

Randy (5/5)

AMAZING

"ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME - FOR GOOD REASON."

Lauri (5/5)

Couldn't put it down. . .

"It took a couple novels before becoming accustom to P. K. Dick's writing style. It becomes absolutely addictive and entrancing. This novel is my favourite of his works to date. . ."

Drake (5/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Apr 17, 2012
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 240
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • ISBN: 9780547572291
  • Dimensions: 5.31" W x 0.56" L x 8.0" H
Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably,Blade Runner (based onDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?),Total Recall,Minority Report, andA Scanner Darkly. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

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