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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Book 1 in the series:Blade Runner

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In a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has been devastated by nuclear war, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with tracking down and 'retiring' rogue androids who have escaped from Mars back to Earth. The novel explores themes of empathy, identity, and the essence of humanity as Deckard grapples with distinguishing between androids and humans in a society where owning real animals is a symbol of status and worth. Dick weaves a dark and thought-provoking narrative that questions what it truly means to be human in a world filled with synthetic beings and dwindling life forms.

The book delves into a dystopian future where technology blurs the lines between real and artificial life, leading readers on a journey that challenges traditional notions of humanity and morality. Through Deckard's internal struggles, the narrative unfolds with a mix of action-packed sequences and philosophical reflections, creating a compelling exploration of the impact of advanced technology on society and individual identity.

Characters:

The characters in the novel, including Rick Deckard, John Isidore, and Rachael Rosen, navigate moral dilemmas surrounding empathy, identity, and humanity.

Writing/Prose:

Philip K. Dick employs a terse and minimalistic writing style that reinforces the book's themes of disorientation and the struggle to define humanity.

Plot/Storyline:

The novel follows bounty hunter Rick Deckard in a post-apocalyptic Earth, as he hunts androids that have escaped to live amongst humans, exploring the moral implications of his job and the nature of empathy.

Setting:

The novel is set in a desolate and decaying post-apocalyptic Earth, where the remnants of civilization struggle amidst environmental devastation and societal collapse.

Pacing:

The pacing of the novel is fast-moving, with a mix of action and philosophical reflection, creating an engaging narrative.
A merry little surge of electricity piped by automatic alarm from the mood organ beside his bed awakened Rick Deckard. Surprised—it always surprised him to find himself awake without prior notice—he r...

Notes:

The novel was published in 1968 and is set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is mostly deserted due to nuclear war.
Androids in the book are so advanced they can easily pass for humans, which complicates the bounty hunter's job.
The concept of empathy is central to distinguishing humans from androids; the Voigt-Kampff test measures emotional responses.
Real animals are extremely rare, making them a status symbol, while electric animals are commonly owned by those who can't afford real ones.
Mercerism, a fictional religion in the book, emphasizes shared suffering and the importance of empathy.
The title references the idea of whether androids can dream or possess genuine feelings, raising philosophical questions about identity and humanity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are themes of violence, murder, and existential despair regarding artificial intelligence and humanity.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance, particularly between Deckard and Rachael, but it is not the central focus of the story.

From The Publisher:

A masterpiece ahead of its time, a prescient rendering of a dark future, and the inspiration for the blockbuster film Blade Runner

By 2021, the World War has killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remain covet any living creature, and for people who can't afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacra: horses, birds, cats, sheep. They've even built humans. Immigrants to Mars receive androids so sophisticated they are indistinguishable from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans can wreak, the government bans them from Earth. Driven into hiding, unauthorized androids live among human beings, undetected. Rick Deckard, an officially sanctioned bounty hunter, is commissioned to find rogue androids and "retire" them. But when cornered, androids fight back-with lethal force.

Praise for Philip K. Dick

"The most consistently brilliant science fiction writer in the world."-John Brunner

"A kind of pulp-fiction Kafka, a prophet."-The New York Times

"[Philip K. Dick] sees all the sparkling-and terrifying-possibilities . . . that other authors shy away from."-Rolling Stone

Ratings (173)

Incredible (23)
Loved It (66)
Liked It (52)
It Was OK (23)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (299):

Read It (179)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (94)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (17)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
3 weeks

في ظل التلوث، وبينما يهاجر اغلب البشر الأرض للعيش في المستعمرات ومع كون اغلب الحيوانات نادرة او مهددة بالانقراض اصبح لابد للناس من تربيتها، فمن غير اللائق اجتماعيًا عدم تربية حيوان.

يحلم ديكارد بامتلاك حيوان حقيقي وهو يعمل لدى الشرطة صائدًا للجوائز، حيث يلاحق الروبوتات التي تتقمص دور البشر لاحالتها للتقاعد عن طريق اخضاعها لاختبار للتعاطف، هل تفتقر الروبوتات الى التعاطف فعلًا؟ وهل هي مختلفة عن البشر بل وحتى الحيوانات الآلية؟

 
2 months

So much better than I thought it would be. Better written and deeper than Blade Runner

 
It Was OK
3 months

This was not what I expected. Another future I hope that does not come to life. It did not end well.

 
Incredible
6 months

The most important book for cyberpunk as a genre. Filled with the existential question of what it means to be human. A must read novel.

 

About the Author:

Philip Kindred Dick was an American science fiction writer. He wrote 44 novels and about 121 short stories, most of which appeared in science fiction magazines during his lifetime.

 
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