Blade Runner

Originally published as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

De: Philip K. Dick

Narrado por: Scott Brick

Here is the classic sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, set nearly thirty years before the events of the new Warner Bros. film Blade Runner 2049, starring Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, and Robin Wright.

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 build 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

“[Dick] sees all the sparkling—and terrifying—possibilities . . . that other authors shy away from.” - Rolling Stone

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

©1968 Philip K. Dick (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

This is the original Do Androids Dream of Electric

It has almost no relation to the movie but makes some very interesting points in its own right. In some ways I like it even better than the movie. There is a whole subplot in the book about people needing to care for the remaining animals on the planet only alluded to in the movie with the one line asking if the owl is real. In the book people that cannot afford real animals to take of get electric ones to keep face with the neighbors. The commentary on this and how culty people can be might turn some off but I thought it made the story more relevant to the real world.

The Title Is A Question

I wish the publishers had just stuck with the original title of this book (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?). Although, I understand that sales are most likely increased because of its increased association with the popular movie, Blade Runner. Still, the original title is so much better! It literally poses a question, and it is so satisfyingly frustrating because by the end of the novel, you have no answers; only more questions.

The questions that this book tackles are difficult, and the way Dick attempts (and just manages to attempt) these questions is well-rounded; topics such as atheism versus theism and reality versus unreality (or perhaps surreality). They're handled with elegance and the beauty of imperfection and incompletion. The attempt to answer only leads to more questions. And such fantastic questions.

For a science fiction novel, it's also pretty accessible. Dick takes a lot of pointers from the noir and detective fiction genres; there's a lot of satisfying action alongside the difficult, intellectual subject matter.

As for the audiobook, the narrator is much too slow. Listening to him on 3x speed sounded like the normal speed of most narrators. But he was good, otherwise. Don't let it deter you from listening.

Counting electric sheep

Do Androids Dream is one of PKD’s finest works. Way better than the movies based on it. An android bounty hunter with a conflicting conscience goes on the hunt. Very good book. Enjoy!

Distopia wears on me...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would not say that reading or listening to anything is mis-spent; this is a dumb question.
Even the worst of books has some redeeming value; this book is no where near the worst; even though I did not care for it that is not a good enough reason to say it was time mis-spent; if in fact I decided it was not worth listening then I would have quit. So once again dumb question.

Would you be willing to try another book from Philip K. Dick? Why or why not?

Probably not. but maybe.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

he is excellent; his reading is always great.

Do you think Blade Runner needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no.

Any additional comments?

Not having seen the movie I went into this novel without the pre-conceptions of having seen the film 1st. The genre within Science Fiction that of the dystopic or anti utopia is one I was more attracted to when I was younger. Brave New World, A Canticle for Leibowitz, 1984, and others of that ilk had more attraction back then, just like Camus, or Sartre did too I suppose. This novel set in a post nuclear world has no real hope of redemption, the supposed connection to the collective, the empathy box is a device created to share emotions and the collective pain of Mercer, it seemed to me to be technology imposed by the state to create an alternate reality in a world radioactive and wasting away in kibble. The only other solace is perhaps buying one of the few remaining animals left after the nuclear bombs destroyed most life, and this is embedded in a capitalistic system that placed it outside of most peoples ability to own. And the androids? No more likable than the warm blooded humans. There is some attempt at collective behavior, for kicks they snip off a spiders legs, and revenge results in a goat flying off a roof.

The other two considerations I have regarding this book is Decker's view of human sexuality, and that includes human/android intercourse, for a culture that speaks of empathy sex is as mechanical as the named sheep in the title. There is so little true emotion that Decker's wife needs to program depression in order to feel. The other really interesting question is reality.. does Mercer really exist? Is Decker really Mercer? a metaphor for all of us pushing Sisyphus's rock up the hill being all of us so separate from love, passion, and true empathy.. we are supposed to feel connected to humanity by observing this man's suffering? his cross on the way to crucifiction, only to roll down again.. no hope, or as Kerouac said

Better world than story

Without a doubt this novel is ahead of its time but so much has happened since it was written that it is too dated to maintain relevance. The world and setting are more interesting and engaging than the story.

Great intelligent sci-fi

I loved this film and have always wanted to read/listen to the book. It was well worth it. Definitely explore more of the world, culture, the people in the society that you just can’t get in a movie. I thought the narrator was incredible and really gave a flavor to the mood of the peace. Highly recommend this book.

A Sci-fi Classic - Wonderful Reading

Scott Brick does a wonderful job reading this exceptional piece of sci-fi literature. His sharp annunciation brought a tension and sense of urgency that helped engulf me while listening and connect to Rick Deckard's constant state of desperation.

Mr. Brick also changes his tone just so for each character, brilliantly illustrating their nuances without being distracting.

Great book and great reading.

Necessary reading

It's strange hearing of a current world with tech progress in a totally different direction and not communication based. But it's larger questions of what is real and the void of a truthless existence are prescient still.

Pass

Had higher expectations re: entertainment value. Story had difficulty getting up to speed. By midway it had captured my attention, but only for a short time. Weak conclusion and ending. If you have not seen the movie, I doubt you would find it nearly as entertaining.

Got My Goat

I listened to confessions of a sociopath and it recommended this book, so I followed the bread crumbs here and I was not disappointed, much better then the movie,

I am beginning to think empathy should be measured. Scott Brick does an awesome job as always