The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch – Philip K Dick
Hachette Gollancz Orion, 2007
256 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN 978-0-575-07997-7

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – Philip K Dick
Hachette Gollancz Orion, 2007
224 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN 978-0-575-07993-9

Review by Russell B Farr

Much as been written about Philip K. Dick, both about the man and his writing. There are probably hundreds of theses dealing with the themes explored in works such as these two classics. PKD was either well past barking mad, or a genius: probably both. His stories have inspired quite a few great Hollywood movies (and quite a few bad ones), including Blade Runner and its associated plethora of Director’s cuts.

Gollancz/Orion have done a wonderful thing in keeping PKD’s works, including The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in print, when many classics these days seem to slip through the cracks.

These are crazy, wonderful and surprisingly timeless novels that speak less of technology and more of the driving desires of humanity. The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch deals with corporate greed and the need to reach out and share experiences with others. What PKD envisages is that this can be achieved through drugs; a cynic might say that Facebook is a modern substitute.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? explores a multitude of elements of humanity. PKD taps into our modern drives and needs for technology, needs that have not yet been satisfied, keeping this novel as relevant as ever.

Over forty years after these books were first published, their concepts are still relevant and resonate with the reader. They are far from becoming outdated classics, and testament to the author’s brilliance.