The Philip K. Dick Reader by Philip K. Dick - Nicely complements Library of America volumes

His religions, psychoses, divorces, and drug use aside, Philip K. Dick changed the face of American science fiction with his mind-bending writing. There may be readers who have only heard of him as the mind behind Blade Runner (based on his novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). But even casual PKD fans should take a look at these 24 short stories, among them, Second Variety, from which the movie Screamers was made, and We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, basis of the Schwarzenegger film Total Recall. Other standouts include The Turning Wheel, The Last of the Masters, Tony and the Beetles, and The Minority Report. Readers will recognize PKDs trademark themes: capitalism and the American dream run amok, a disquieting loss of ability to distinguish friends from enemies, and humans versus machines.

Since Philip K. Dicks heyday, and thanks in large part to his influence, the contemporary science fiction short story has evolved into a form more self-reflective and psychologically complex. This is a wonderful development, to be sure. But dont regard the older stories in this collection as dated. Instead, enjoy the peppery punch: PKDs stories provide plenty of plot twists and surprise endings. --Bonnie Bouman

Nicely complements Library of America volumes
The esteemed late 20th century Sci-Fi writer Philip K. Dick recently has been the object of much renewed attention. The Library of America released two volumes of his novels, with helpful notes and a chronology of his life. Michael Dirda in his book "Classics for Pleasure" also draws attention to the work of Dick. This collection of his earliest short and medium-length stories (23 in all) nicely complements the LOA volumes. I had never read any Dick prior to the first LOA volume and found him incredibily fascinating in his spinning of yarns. As inventive a mind as can be imagined, every story and novel sparkles with fantastic plotting, effective dramatic devices, and almost always a surprise ("Twilight Zone" like) ending. One just marvels at his inventive capabilities, and I have not read a bad Dick novel or story yet. Considering that a number of his novels and stories were made into movies (including "Total Recall" and "Scanners" based upon stories in this volume, as well as "Blade Runner" from one of his novels), Dick had wide appeal. Unfortunately his early death in 1982 stilled the pen of this most creative and prolific writer. But we have plenty of Dick left to enjoy in this and other collections.

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