The first novel I read of Philip K. Dick's was Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, a very intellectual exploration of the science fiction genre which served as the basis for the film Blade Runner. The two things that I gathered from that first encounter with Dick are as follows: a) for a skilled writer his book titles are either absurdly brilliant or are just ridiculous (I've yet to decide) and b) Dick's style of sci-fi is among the most literary and original I had read. When I learned one of his novels, Ubik, was selected for this list, I was intrigued despite the fact I had honestly never heard of the book, and therefore my window of knowledge of the title was non-existant. But being a sci-fi geek and of course finding excitement in any chance to explore new territory in that literary genre was one of the primary reasons this was the next book I read on the list.
Overview
Trying to explain the plot and story of Ubik is almost an exercise in futility, as the story and the directions it takes create an almost hallucinogenic experience for the reader. The genesis of the story involves a businessman named Glen Runciter, who has been carrying on private conversations with his deceased wife Ellen. You see, in this world, if someone is on the verge of dying, they can be placed in a state of muted consciousness called "half-life" rather than be allowed to fully perish, and can then be called upon for an extended period of time to have a minimum level of communication with whoever wishes to speak to them, for a fee of course. This half-life concept forms half of the central idea, as well as another ongoing story which involves a group of telepaths organized by Runciter, and a mysterious woman named Pat, who apparently has the ability to identify telepaths but through her ability can also appear to plunge individuals into a representation of the past, seemingly at will. The novel soars through different time periods, so fast so that even the characters and reader are thrown for a loop just when they have become complacent in the new setting. One of the figures being manipulated in this fashion, Joe Chip, begins to investigate why this is occurring and why a mysterious remedy known as Ubik seems to show up in each incarnation.
What I Enjoyed
The first thing I must commend Ubik on is the startling effect it has on the reader. The paths and directions Ubik takes you on at times feels very hallucinogenic, as you never feel you are on stable ground in the novel. At times this can be distracting and frustrating, but for the most part it works well in the novel in creating a very disorienting and somewhat chilling experience within the text of the novel. One of the great things I am noticing in Dick's work is the attention to detail he employs, and the relentlessly original take on science fiction (which, even though I love the genre, has at times strayed far away from originality) he has. Many sci-fi authors use the genre simply to create fantastical worlds and experiences, which is certainly interesting in itself and effective, but Dick describes the actions and events in his novels in a way that makes them feel almost attainable despite the fact that they are not scenarios that exist. Dick doesn't just create a fictionalized world but conceptualizes how it would have to work to seem somewhat plausible.
What I Didn't Agree With
Though I enjoyed this novel quite a bit, and it certainly provided a lot for me to ponder after I finished it, it still has a few issues that can't be avoided. The characters in the novel at times don't have the highest level of emotional depth. While Dick's stories tend to be so fascinating and work so well that this isn't a vital necessity, I think some stronger emotive qualities from his cast could have benefited the story. And even though the nature of the novel makes it a reading that is meant to be disorienting and confusing, that doesn't subtract from the fact that as the reader it gets grating at moments (though Dick is good enough to minimize the erosion this can cause on the quality of the story).
Does it Belong on the List?
Perhaps. I don't want to say the book doesn't belong on the list, first of all because I think it is a terrific book, and second of all I think it is a very smart, articulate entry into the science fiction genre. But I can't decide because I know there's a possibility a couple of titles exist in the genre that are more deserving. Some of them are books that I know from a literary standpoint are not as expertly composed but that admittedly I enjoyed more (Ender's Game being a good example, or perhaps something from Robert Heinlen), but I also don't know if this is the pinnacle of even Dick's writing. I preferred the aforementioned Androids to this, and from what I understand about Minority Report and Man in the High Castle, they are typically better received by his diehard fans. I'm on the fence with this one, but don't let that condemn the book: it is a great work of science fiction that definitely creates a unique mood in its reader.
Next on the List
Jack Kerouac's On the Road, one of the works considered to be an essential writing of the Beat generation.
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