On Mars, the harsh climate could make any colonist turn to drugs to escape a dead-end existence. Especially when the drug is Can-D, which transports its users into the idyllic world of a Barbie-esque character named Perky Pat. When the mysterious Palmer Eldritch arrives with a new drug called Chew-Z, he offers a more addictive experience, one that might bring the user closer to God. But in a world where everyone is tripping, no promises can be taken at face value. This Nebula Award nominee is one of Philip K. Dick’s enduring classics, at once a deep character study, a dark mystery, and a tightrope walk along the edge of reality and illusion.
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"This is my first PKD book. It's just so good. It's got an even balance of all of his best- drugs, sci-fi and philosophy. It's the most fun and least depressing, involving the drug Can-D and leaves you feeling slightly more optimistic than you would feel if you were to just finish reading Scanner Darkly, another favorite."
— Emily (5 out of 5 stars)
“An elusive and incomparable artist.”
— Ursula K. Le Guin, winner of the National Book Award“Really excellent entertainment.”
— Daily Telegraph (London)“My literary hero.”
— Fay Weldon, author of Mischief" the world in this guy' s head - look at the breadth and depth of his sci-fi. and he was a schizophrenic. i wonder how he kept it together enough to write this un-reality and still function in suppressed-psychosis. "
— Dimp, 1/28/2014" One of the few books I've read twice! "
— Zarathustra, 11/17/2013" I've always been a fan of Philip Dick's writing. This book is my favorite of all of his 5 or 6 novels that I've read. It is philosophically rich and frankly written. "
— Parita, 11/8/2013" My mind is whirling. I'm not even sure if I understood this book. Maybe it's due a revisit after some time has passed. "
— Daphne, 11/3/2013" Strange, but very imaginative and enjoyable. "
— Michael, 10/2/2013" Holds together better for one of PK Dick's longer works. He gives us some fantastic visuals of the future and how humans still manage to try out-doing one another (in fashion, in knowledge, in -evolution-). I cannot give too much away, so I'll stop. "
— Sonny, 9/26/2013" This is the one with Chew-Z and Can-D and being translated. "
— kate, 8/27/2013" I had read a lot of PKD's short stories and was impressed by them. Three Stigmata was more impressive than I had imagined. PKD's fascination with space and Mars is shown in this book. The excitement and overall plot of the story made it hard to put the book down. This book made me think! "
— Brad, 6/15/2012" Un incubo psico-fantascientifico. Inizia tranquillo e finisce in turbolenti allucinazioni che coinvolgono il lettore. Interessante. "
— Pasquale, 1/1/2012" PKD liked to touch the outsiders in his novels, even when the outsider was consensus reality. Would you rather live doped up in artificial bliss or drudge through real life? "
— Kevin, 3/13/2011" This book completely took me by surprise. When you read it, you'll know why Philip K. Dick went insane. A great, sci-fi, trippy read. "
— Matthew, 1/20/2011" Philip K. Dick should be on the Mount Rushmore of Scifi literature. This is one of his better novels. It's a complete drugged-out ride and fun as hell. If you're looking for some good old fashioned entertainment, this book is it. "
— Dennis, 6/17/2009" yup, great, ending +++ God as virus. fantastic etc. 'And yet - how fettered it was, too, by the forces of fate, which seem to transcend all that live, including it as much as ourselves.' "
— Benjamin, 3/24/2009" This book is like eating LSD...it's probably as close as you can get. When I finished it wasn't right for at least 48 hours. High-ly recommend. "
— Lehcim, 3/7/2009" I've read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (2 times now), Ubik, and A Scanner Darkly. Still have the Three Stigmata to go. I've taken break and will come back to it eventually. "
— Michael, 3/1/2009" I was loaned this volume by a friend, who suggested I read "Ubik". Unfortunately, it proved to be colossally addictive and I promptly finished not only "Ubik", bu the rest of the novels within.<br/><br/>It's a great checking-in point for the PKD oeuvre. "
— Zac, 3/23/2008Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) published thirty-six 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 toward deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A 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.
Luke Daniels, winner of sixteen AudioFile Earphones Awards and a finalist for the Audie Award for best narration, is a narrator whose many audiobook credits range from action and suspense to young-adult fiction. His background is in classical theater and film, and he has performed at repertory theaters around the country.