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Robots, Androids and Mechanical Oddities: The Science Fiction of Philip K. Dick
What is human? What is a machine? How do they differ? Or do they?
In these 15 stories about robots and androids, Philip K. Dick asks these questions. The answers differ with each story—in the fictional world and in the exploring mind of Dick the only certainty is change—but the author establishes some guidelines: “To be human, one must maintain his intellectual and spiritual freedom at all costs. He must refuse obedience to any ideology; he must remain unpredictable, unfettered by patterns and routines.”
In these 15 stories about robots and androids, Philip K. Dick asks these questions. The answers differ with each story—in the fictional world and in the exploring mind of Dick the only certainty is change—but the author establishes some guidelines: “To be human, one must maintain his intellectual and spiritual freedom at all costs. He must refuse obedience to any ideology; he must remain unpredictable, unfettered by patterns and routines.”
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1984
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
2,003 books22.4k followersPhilip Kindred Dick was a prolific American science fiction author whose work has had a lasting impact on literature, cinema, and popular culture. Known for his imaginative narratives and profound philosophical themes, Dick explored the nature of reality, the boundaries of human identity, and the impact of technology and authoritarianism on society. His stories often blurred the line between the real and the artificial, challenging readers to question their perceptions and beliefs.
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 19, 2013
My personal ratings:
* "The Little Movement" (3.5/5)
* "The Defenders" (5/5)
* "The Preserving Machine" (4/5)
* "Second Variety" (5/5)
* "Impostor" (5/5)
* "Sales Pitch" (4.5/5)
* "The Last of the Masters" (3/5)
* "Service Call" (5/5)
* "Autofac" (4/5)
* "To Serve the Master" (4/5)
* "War Game" (5/5)
* "A Game of Unchance" (2.5/5)
* "The Electric Ant" (5/5)
* "The Exit Door Leads In" (5/5)
* "Frozen Journey" (Title changed to "I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon".) (4/5)
Average ~4.3, so a 4 it is.
* "The Little Movement" (3.5/5)
* "The Defenders" (5/5)
* "The Preserving Machine" (4/5)
* "Second Variety" (5/5)
* "Impostor" (5/5)
* "Sales Pitch" (4.5/5)
* "The Last of the Masters" (3/5)
* "Service Call" (5/5)
* "Autofac" (4/5)
* "To Serve the Master" (4/5)
* "War Game" (5/5)
* "A Game of Unchance" (2.5/5)
* "The Electric Ant" (5/5)
* "The Exit Door Leads In" (5/5)
* "Frozen Journey" (Title changed to "I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon".) (4/5)
Average ~4.3, so a 4 it is.
May 23, 2008
A good collection of Dick's short stories, and a good way to get started into his works.
Over all, I think Dick's writing style works better in short story form, and what is interesting is how much he explored the issues he was interested in. While all these stories raise questions about what it means to be human, Dick addresses them from different angles, and from completely different POV.
Over all, I think Dick's writing style works better in short story form, and what is interesting is how much he explored the issues he was interested in. While all these stories raise questions about what it means to be human, Dick addresses them from different angles, and from completely different POV.
June 12, 2016
A great introduction to the work of PKD. This is a collection of short stories prefaced by a description of when the story was written and, in some cases, what was going on in Dick's life when he wrote it. Considering they were mostly written in the 50's and early 60's, very visionary and imaginative work.
July 25, 2011
this anthology tracks the development of philip k. dick's philosophy on the title topic by presenting the stories in chronological order of date written. the commentary at the beginning of each story also provides insight into how the themes in these short stories were subsequently implemented in his novels.
February 19, 2020
Very 50s, which I can take or leave, but well written. He had such a fascinating imagination.
May 8, 2025
15 stories:
**** Second Variety (1953)
***** War Game (1959)
**** The Defenders (1953)
***** The Electric Ant (1969)
**** Autofac (1955)
*** Impostor (1953)
*** The Little Movement (1952)
**** The Exit Door Leads In (1979)
***** Frozen Journey (aka I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon) (1980)
**** A Game of Unchance (1964)
*** The Last of the Masters (1954)
*** The Preserving Machine (1953)
**** Sales Pitch (1954)
**** Service Call (1955)
*** To Serve the Master (1956)
**** Second Variety (1953)
***** War Game (1959)
**** The Defenders (1953)
***** The Electric Ant (1969)
**** Autofac (1955)
*** Impostor (1953)
*** The Little Movement (1952)
**** The Exit Door Leads In (1979)
***** Frozen Journey (aka I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon) (1980)
**** A Game of Unchance (1964)
*** The Last of the Masters (1954)
*** The Preserving Machine (1953)
**** Sales Pitch (1954)
**** Service Call (1955)
*** To Serve the Master (1956)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews