"Now Wait for Next Year" for me is a truly underrated novel written by PKD. You have elements that he uses in other novels like "The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch", with this more dramatic and even comedic feel.
I just want to mention The Eye in the Sky. I would recommend it for a first read of PKD simply because it's so accessible and illustrates many of his themes. I've been listening to his interviews and he mentioned it, which is why I'm doing so. I read it decades ago and it's still memorable. The thing about PKD is you have to read very carefully because things can turn on two words.
Clans of the Aphain Moon was the first PKD book i ever read and it will always be near the top of my list. I picked one randomly from my big brothers collection and it made a permanent mark on my brain.
I agree with most of your list. I loved Flow My Tears and thinks it’s one of my personal favorite. As for an “underrated” novel, I’d recommend, “Galactic Pot Healer”. It’s strange PKD story with Lovecraftian themes. As someone who enjoy the Lovecraft universe, this story was just a bunch of fun to read.
Ooh I might just have to play and do a video reaction. I've read quite a bit of Dick. I'm on board with your picks, though I haven't read Dr. Bloodmoney. In my head I've narrowed it to 10...5 could be tough...
My top five is similar, but not exactly the same. Here it is: 1. The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch 2. UBIK 3. LIES, Inc. aka The Unteleported Man 4. The Penultimate Truth 5. VALIS You want weird? PKD doesn’t get any weirder than VALIS, except in his Exegesis. I love “The Penultimate Truth” because the characters are so sympathetic. Plus it’s a mystery. Who is David Lantano? You have to figure it out yourself. If it was a top ten, I’d add “Our Friends from Frolix 8,” “Galactic Pot Healer,” “The Simulacra” and “Now Wait for Next Year.”
Time Out of Joint will always be the most special one for me because it's the first PKD book I've ever read. I fell in love with it and bought most of his books that are available in my country, and started to read them in order they have been written. However, some of them were a bit dissapointing (especially Cosmic Puppets) so I decided to read the most popular ones first.
The first for me was Androids and it brought me to tears. A lot of books have brought out emotions, but I cant think of another book that actually made me cry as an adult. Not sure why it made me so emotional, but it got me "hooked on Dick" lmao
Went through a phase where he was all I read! Stigmata and Bloodmoney are brilliant. His short stories are great too! That was a long time ago. Maybe it’s time to give him another look! Thanks for the discussion!
I’ve read “Electric Sheep” of course. I’d love a review of it! Of course I read Ubik. Btw, I absolutely love the old book cover illustrations. I prefer them to the modern book cover illustrations. I will definitely put these others on my tbr reads! Like I’ve said before….. I need more…. Dick. 😅
The one I wouldn't put on your top five list, is "Ubik". I don't think it's as well written as the others. I'd replace it with "Martian Time-Slip". Another great but underrated novel by him, is "Galactic Pot-Healer". "Dr Bloodmoney" probably hasn't been talked about as much because it isn't as "weird" as the other novels you feature, but it's very well written with excellent characterisation.
Dr Bloodmoney is awesome. A maze of death is one of my favourites. Currently reading The Penultimate Truth - great book but overwhelming world building at the beginning, you have to let it flow over you and wait for the story to hook you - which it does. The guy was a genius.
love your channel man, thanks. a friend of mind is raving about radio free albumith and time out of joint. before I buy them I was wondering you approve this message?
I haven't read as much Dick as I should, and I wouldn't say it's a favorite, but The Hanging Stranger always stuck with me. Just the image of a man hanging in the middle of the street and everyone going on as usual
I generally agree with your list. The only one I'm on the fence about is Dr. Bloodmoney -- it was great, but was it better than A Scanner Darkly? Hmm...
Underrated? I’d probably pip for the world that Jones made. It’s early dick but I like it a lot. And Time out of joint is pretty nifty with its Truman show vibes.
9:38 Cold War doesn't happen. That's the point of cold war. There is no war. Definition: A state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare.
"Now Wait for Next Year" for me is a truly underrated novel written by PKD.
You have elements that he uses in other novels like "The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch", with this more dramatic and even comedic feel.
Ubik broke my mind while reading it…in the best possible way
Ubik is my favorite, followed by A Scanner Darkly, 3 Stigmata, Valis Trilogy.
Haven’t read Dr Bloodmoney, I’ll check it out!
I love Valis so so much.. may be my fav
I just want to mention The Eye in the Sky. I would recommend it for a first read of PKD simply because it's so accessible and illustrates many of his themes. I've been listening to his interviews and he mentioned it, which is why I'm doing so. I read it decades ago and it's still memorable. The thing about PKD is you have to read very carefully because things can turn on two words.
Clans of the Aphain Moon was the first PKD book i ever read and it will always be near the top of my list. I picked one randomly from my big brothers collection and it made a permanent mark on my brain.
I agree with most of your list. I loved Flow My Tears and thinks it’s one of my personal favorite.
As for an “underrated” novel, I’d recommend, “Galactic Pot Healer”. It’s strange PKD story with Lovecraftian themes. As someone who enjoy the Lovecraft universe, this story was just a bunch of fun to read.
big love for galactic pot healer! Also loved A maze of death
Ooh I might just have to play and do a video reaction. I've read quite a bit of Dick. I'm on board with your picks, though I haven't read Dr. Bloodmoney. In my head I've narrowed it to 10...5 could be tough...
The more the merrier. Also read Dr. Boodmoney! Then spread the word on how great it is lol
My top five is similar, but not exactly the same. Here it is:
1. The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch
2. UBIK
3. LIES, Inc. aka The Unteleported Man
4. The Penultimate Truth
5. VALIS
You want weird? PKD doesn’t get any weirder than VALIS, except in his Exegesis. I love “The Penultimate Truth” because the characters are so sympathetic. Plus it’s a mystery. Who is David Lantano? You have to figure it out yourself. If it was a top ten, I’d add “Our Friends from Frolix 8,” “Galactic Pot Healer,” “The Simulacra” and “Now Wait for Next Year.”
Time out of joint, ubik, three stigmata of Palmer, paycheck,
Outside of predictable choices I’m really fond of clans of the alphane moon and our friends from frolix 8
Time Out of Joint will always be the most special one for me because it's the first PKD book I've ever read. I fell in love with it and bought most of his books that are available in my country, and started to read them in order they have been written. However, some of them were a bit dissapointing (especially Cosmic Puppets) so I decided to read the most popular ones first.
The first for me was Androids and it brought me to tears. A lot of books have brought out emotions, but I cant think of another book that actually made me cry as an adult. Not sure why it made me so emotional, but it got me "hooked on Dick" lmao
I just read this and I can't believe it doesn't get talked about more. I really loved this book and I think it would make a great TV show.
I really wanted to start reading books in English so, I think these 5 books will be a good start.
Went through a phase where he was all I read! Stigmata and Bloodmoney are brilliant. His short stories are great too! That was a long time ago. Maybe it’s time to give him another look! Thanks for the discussion!
A Scanner Darkly
I’ve read “Electric Sheep” of course. I’d love a review of it! Of course I read Ubik. Btw, I absolutely love the old book cover illustrations. I prefer them to the modern book cover illustrations. I will definitely put these others on my tbr reads! Like I’ve said before….. I need more…. Dick. 😅
"Our Friends From Frolix 8" and "Galactic Pot-Healer" - most underrated
Want to read: "Clans of the Alphane Moon"
First one i read was Clans and it is at the top of my list with Valis
The one I wouldn't put on your top five list, is "Ubik". I don't think it's as well written as the others. I'd replace it with "Martian Time-Slip". Another great but underrated novel by him, is "Galactic Pot-Healer". "Dr Bloodmoney" probably hasn't been talked about as much because it isn't as "weird" as the other novels you feature, but it's very well written with excellent characterisation.
Top 5: Three Stigmata, Ubik, Flow My Tears, TMITHC, DADOES.
Honorable mentions: Scanner Darkly, VALIS, Martian Time Slip, Maze of Death
Dr Bloodmoney is awesome. A maze of death is one of my favourites. Currently reading The Penultimate Truth - great book but overwhelming world building at the beginning, you have to let it flow over you and wait for the story to hook you - which it does. The guy was a genius.
love your channel man, thanks. a friend of mind is raving about radio free albumith and time out of joint. before I buy them I was wondering you approve this message?
the positive tone of bloodmoney in the last few pages of the book put tears into my eyes
I haven't read as much Dick as I should, and I wouldn't say it's a favorite, but The Hanging Stranger always stuck with me. Just the image of a man hanging in the middle of the street and everyone going on as usual
The book covers now are so weak man
I generally agree with your list. The only one I'm on the fence about is Dr. Bloodmoney -- it was great, but was it better than A Scanner Darkly? Hmm...
Underrated? I’d probably pip for the world that Jones made. It’s early dick but I like it a lot. And Time out of joint is pretty nifty with its Truman show vibes.
Man in the HIGHCASTLE
Do android dream
Ubik
Scanner darkly
We can build you
Author Brian Evenson has said Dr. Bloodmoney is one of his favorites, at least he did on our show.
9:38 Cold War doesn't happen. That's the point of cold war. There is no war. Definition: A state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare.
My favorite demonically possessed author! Really....he is. Total buttballoon, but really tapped into creativity
Nope. It tells you how awful the Hugo Awards have become.
Time out of joints
Personally valis would be a top 3 for me