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The Crystal Crypt
Stark terror ruled the Inner-Flight ship on that last Mars-Terra run. For the black-clad Leiters were on the prowl ... and the grim red planet was not far behind. First published in 1954.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
148 people are currently reading
1125 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
2,006 books22.5k 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 - 30 of 165 reviews
June 27, 2019
First published in Planet Stories (1954), “The Crystal Crypt” is classic Dick, presenting you with a narrative that seems yawningly familiar, and then...an unexpected detail is revealed, a detail that changes the meaning of everything you have seen.
The story takes place before the beginning of a war between Earth and Mars. The last Terran ship is preparing to leave the orbit of the Red Planet when it is forced to land at the final checkpoint: the Martians, having just learn that one of their cities have been destroyed, is looking for three saboteurs, and they insist on subjecting the passengers to a lie detector (a voice analyzer, a large metal box). The passengers are cleared, and the ship departs. But the scene shifts to the lounge, where one of the passenger/saboteurs soon begins to tell his story. It is exciting, but rather predictable too—like one of those stories of the French Resistance—until he gets to the part where we learn how he and his comrades “destroyed” the city.
This tale possesses a particular attraction for the die-hard Philip Dick fan, for it features a device—referred to in the title—originally found in “Stability,” a story Dick wrote when he was nineteen and was only published posthumously. But it is also an entertaining and surprising story which I would recommend to any science fiction reader.
June 30, 2025
A geopolitical espionage and terrorism thriller that pits Terrans against the Martians. A martian city has been bombed and a bunch of Martians soldiers administer a lie detector test on a plane filled with the last Terrans leaving the Martian land. But every single traveller passes the test.
Then when the Terrans are safe and having a drink at a bar, a trio comprising two men and a woman make an interesting and surprising revelation right in the middle of the story. After a flashback, there is another twist right at the end.
It's not your typical PKD story except for the way the Martian city is disappeared. I still liked it.
Then when the Terrans are safe and having a drink at a bar, a trio comprising two men and a woman make an interesting and surprising revelation right in the middle of the story. After a flashback, there is another twist right at the end.
It's not your typical PKD story except for the way the Martian city is disappeared. I still liked it.
January 2, 2020
Human saboteurs destroy a Martian city and barely make an escape. Or did they? Like so many PKD stories, there's a small, yet critically important development mid-way through the story that turns everything around.
December 26, 2020
This one doesn't have the feel of your usual P.K.Dick work, in the sense that it is far too straight forward.
No subtle introspections into the nature of being human and our place in existence? Odd.
The story itself was run of the mill, well it was written in 1954. And the ending felt a bit too abrupt and predictable, seeing as how we've waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Frankly I felt more intrigued by the Dichotomy of an advanced space faring martian civilization structured like a middle ages fiefdom. And would've liked to read more about the first great kings of the early martian dynasty. who build the great citadels of mars hat had withstood the wind and sands for centuries with their ancient metals and dark stone walls.
No subtle introspections into the nature of being human and our place in existence? Odd.
The story itself was run of the mill, well it was written in 1954. And the ending felt a bit too abrupt and predictable, seeing as how we've waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Frankly I felt more intrigued by the Dichotomy of an advanced space faring martian civilization structured like a middle ages fiefdom. And would've liked to read more about the first great kings of the early martian dynasty. who build the great citadels of mars hat had withstood the wind and sands for centuries with their ancient metals and dark stone walls.
May 24, 2023
Written 9 years after the second world war, it's pretty clear that the Leiters were modelled after the Nazis, especially if you consider the German name (Leiter equals leader in German).
The story itself has a nice twist, followed by a counter twist that was a little predictable. But entertaining nonetheless.
The story itself has a nice twist, followed by a counter twist that was a little predictable. But entertaining nonetheless.
January 6, 2014
"Stark terror ruled the Inner-Flight ship on that last Mars-Terra run. For the black-clad Leiters were on the prowl ... and the grim red planet was not far behind."
PROs:
* Easy, quick, and relaxing read
* Interesting story
* Good twist ending
* Original use of technology
* Never a dull or slow moment
CONs:
* Not a lot of detail
* Lacking character development
* The book never wraps up and left me wanting more
This was the first Philip K. Dick book I ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Since the book is short I will avoid giving away much of the plot as not to spoil anything. Even though the book is short, the author is still able to craft a rich sci-fi world, but I would have liked some more depth rather than the little hints and teasers that we are provided with. We are told that there is a civilization on Mars that seems to be distinct from Earthly civilization (called Terra), but at the same time the Martians still seem to be humans, or at least closely related to humans, but with their own unique culture and dialect. I at first thought that they were the offspring of early Earth settlers, but it seems that they have an entire ancient history to themselves, plus it is hinted at that there are other separate civilizations within the solar system. As you can see, you are given a rough outline and are left to fill in the blanks yourself. More creative minds may enjoy the book even more. The Martians and their civilization remind me of the Combine from Half-Life 2, as they are quite mysterious and always dressed in black clothing.
The story remains interesting throughout and there was never a dull or boring moment to be found. There is a nice build up to the end where we are left with a slight twist that leaves the story embedded in your memory. Overall it is a very good book with a world so well crafted that I wish we could see more of it.
PROs:
* Easy, quick, and relaxing read
* Interesting story
* Good twist ending
* Original use of technology
* Never a dull or slow moment
CONs:
* Not a lot of detail
* Lacking character development
* The book never wraps up and left me wanting more
This was the first Philip K. Dick book I ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Since the book is short I will avoid giving away much of the plot as not to spoil anything. Even though the book is short, the author is still able to craft a rich sci-fi world, but I would have liked some more depth rather than the little hints and teasers that we are provided with. We are told that there is a civilization on Mars that seems to be distinct from Earthly civilization (called Terra), but at the same time the Martians still seem to be humans, or at least closely related to humans, but with their own unique culture and dialect. I at first thought that they were the offspring of early Earth settlers, but it seems that they have an entire ancient history to themselves, plus it is hinted at that there are other separate civilizations within the solar system. As you can see, you are given a rough outline and are left to fill in the blanks yourself. More creative minds may enjoy the book even more. The Martians and their civilization remind me of the Combine from Half-Life 2, as they are quite mysterious and always dressed in black clothing.
The story remains interesting throughout and there was never a dull or boring moment to be found. There is a nice build up to the end where we are left with a slight twist that leaves the story embedded in your memory. Overall it is a very good book with a world so well crafted that I wish we could see more of it.
June 16, 2013
A Wacky, Creative, Quick Story
"Stark terror ruled the Inner-Flight ship on the last Mars-Terra run. For the black-clad Leiters were on the prowl ... and the grim red planet was not far behind."
In "The Crystal Crypt," war between Terra (the new name of Earth) and Mars looms as one of Mars's great cities was destroyed. (How Mars has civilization at all is not explained.) The tension builds from the start; who destroyed the city? How did they do it? Why did they do it?
"...I'll be glad to spin you a story. And I'm sure it will be interesting enough to keep you awake..."
Yes, it was interesting enough to keep me awake and entertained.
"Stark terror ruled the Inner-Flight ship on the last Mars-Terra run. For the black-clad Leiters were on the prowl ... and the grim red planet was not far behind."
In "The Crystal Crypt," war between Terra (the new name of Earth) and Mars looms as one of Mars's great cities was destroyed. (How Mars has civilization at all is not explained.) The tension builds from the start; who destroyed the city? How did they do it? Why did they do it?
"...I'll be glad to spin you a story. And I'm sure it will be interesting enough to keep you awake..."
Yes, it was interesting enough to keep me awake and entertained.
November 13, 2017
What if the problem with science fiction is that it is not formulaic enough so that readers know what they will get? The novelty is strong, but the amorphous structure doesn’t automatically draw readers in like detective novels do.
September 14, 2012
It gets only 3 stars because it was pretty much predictable all the way.
But, we have to remember that this book was first published in the 1960's where twists and turns were defined differently.
As Philip K Dick's short stories go, it was a very short one. But, the story was filled with Dick's trademark intelligence.
It narrates the tale of how Mars fights back against Earth's oppression.
A very decent way to spend 20-odd minutes.
But, we have to remember that this book was first published in the 1960's where twists and turns were defined differently.
As Philip K Dick's short stories go, it was a very short one. But, the story was filled with Dick's trademark intelligence.
It narrates the tale of how Mars fights back against Earth's oppression.
A very decent way to spend 20-odd minutes.
May 26, 2018
The short stories are among the finest by the standard of their author, though, this stern entry-level edition is severely lacking. This issue comes out as a mere printing of the texts, bound together by a cheap pixelated cover, no summary that I remember of.
This is the closest you can get to shameless, botchy self-publishing at its worst.
Not the best introduction by any means to the lush universes of Philip K. Dick.
This is the closest you can get to shameless, botchy self-publishing at its worst.
Not the best introduction by any means to the lush universes of Philip K. Dick.
April 10, 2012
Solid short story by PKD, (I wouldn't call it a 'short novel' like the title says, barely a novella).
A quick read about three people of Earth who are being hunted by the Leiters of Mars for destroying one of their huge cities.
A quick read about three people of Earth who are being hunted by the Leiters of Mars for destroying one of their huge cities.
December 29, 2023
Mars and Terra are enemies. A woman and two men destroy a Martian city. First published in 1954. Good classic sci-fi.
January 17, 2023
Not bad, just kinda confusing as to the point of it
Read
November 8, 2015Overview
“The Crystal Crypt” is one of twelve science fiction short stories written by Philip K. Dick. The story opens with the scene of the last flight of Terrans or people from Earth heading out of Mars. The space ship is ordered by Martian air space control to land again. The occupants are nervous, fearful that they won’t actually be permitted to leave Mars after all. The environment on Mars had become more hostile toward non-Martians and the possibility of war was building up between Mars and Earth. The Martian authorities come on the Inner Flight Ship looking for three specific people who are responsible for eliminating the main city of Mars. The lie detector box does not indicate any of the passengers so the authorities allow the ship to leave. Would the story have a different ending if the Terrans would not be overconfident of their successful escape from Mars? In this story review, I want to point out aspects in this story that pertain to ecology, social commentary, and theology.
Ecology
This story seems to have an ecological system centered on commercialism between Mars and Earth. The Martians had both respect and disdain for the business savvy of the Terrans. They’re love/hate relationship reminded me of the song and dance that United States does with the Middle Eastern countries that are rich in oil and also with China which has such cheap production rates. I will mention more about this a little later in my review. Consumerism seems to be the main relationship between these two planets. Plus there seems to be a bit of a technology driven Cold War and a general mistrust between the two races. It seems that the ecological mindset in this story is one of “what can I get out of this – whether it be Terrans toward Mars or Martians with Terra.
Theology
The Martians were in definite subservience to the Council of Leiters. The natives of Mars were used to the laws of their Leiters and were used to bowing down to them. The Leiters thought they were given the license to be gods to the people and mete out justice on the spot. The government of Mars had the mindset that they deserved full obedience and threatened anyone who didn’t seem to respect them. They relied on their rods of pale fire to instill fear of their authority in their subjects. The lie detectors were relied on to help them decide who gets punished. The Martians had a closed theology in that they kept the Terrans from coming into their City where the main governance was based and I think that they were fearful that the Terrans would somehow contaminate their people’s subservient lifestyle. Also I can’t quite put a finger on it, but it seems as though the Terrans viewed themselves as a higher power than the Martians to a certain degree but yet knew that they were foreigners on hostile territory. The “jihadists” had an attitude of invincibility that eventually came back to haunt them.
Social Commentary
There were various current day likenesses that I thought of while reading this story. The portrayal of the government of Mars reminded me of Communistic closed country. They kept a heavy hand over their people and they ruled with an iron fist of fear and quick judgement. There seems to be a bit of a technology Cold War race going on similar to the Space Race that occurred between Russia and the U.S. and still goes on to some degree today. The love/hate relationship between the planets like I said earlier remind me of the strained relationship that U.S. has with some of their “allies” which remain unpredictable powder kegs to this day. And too just the fact that it seems as though Mars really didn’t like Terra’s presence on their planet and yet they needed them for their commercial presence and what they had to offer that the Martians didn’t have available resources for. Again a portrayal of countries today that really can’t stand each other and yet they are kind of dependent on the resources available to them through that other country that otherwise they would have to do without. The whole story portrayed today’s global upset that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, this game of chess in which the planets in this case (and in our case today, countries) try to establish amongst themselves who is bigger and better and stronger and able to have more military clout.
Conclusion
This story was a good science fiction read with a focus on inner planet travel and planet politics. It also had aspects of advanced technology and the ways technology could play a lethal part in warfare. It was a good portrayal of the ever present global tension between countries and the push-pull of dependence on resources available in one country while being at political odds and underlying currents of enmity even though there’s an extent to which they depend on each other to keep both their economies thriving. I would recommend reading this short story.
“The Crystal Crypt” is one of twelve science fiction short stories written by Philip K. Dick. The story opens with the scene of the last flight of Terrans or people from Earth heading out of Mars. The space ship is ordered by Martian air space control to land again. The occupants are nervous, fearful that they won’t actually be permitted to leave Mars after all. The environment on Mars had become more hostile toward non-Martians and the possibility of war was building up between Mars and Earth. The Martian authorities come on the Inner Flight Ship looking for three specific people who are responsible for eliminating the main city of Mars. The lie detector box does not indicate any of the passengers so the authorities allow the ship to leave. Would the story have a different ending if the Terrans would not be overconfident of their successful escape from Mars? In this story review, I want to point out aspects in this story that pertain to ecology, social commentary, and theology.
Ecology
This story seems to have an ecological system centered on commercialism between Mars and Earth. The Martians had both respect and disdain for the business savvy of the Terrans. They’re love/hate relationship reminded me of the song and dance that United States does with the Middle Eastern countries that are rich in oil and also with China which has such cheap production rates. I will mention more about this a little later in my review. Consumerism seems to be the main relationship between these two planets. Plus there seems to be a bit of a technology driven Cold War and a general mistrust between the two races. It seems that the ecological mindset in this story is one of “what can I get out of this – whether it be Terrans toward Mars or Martians with Terra.
Theology
The Martians were in definite subservience to the Council of Leiters. The natives of Mars were used to the laws of their Leiters and were used to bowing down to them. The Leiters thought they were given the license to be gods to the people and mete out justice on the spot. The government of Mars had the mindset that they deserved full obedience and threatened anyone who didn’t seem to respect them. They relied on their rods of pale fire to instill fear of their authority in their subjects. The lie detectors were relied on to help them decide who gets punished. The Martians had a closed theology in that they kept the Terrans from coming into their City where the main governance was based and I think that they were fearful that the Terrans would somehow contaminate their people’s subservient lifestyle. Also I can’t quite put a finger on it, but it seems as though the Terrans viewed themselves as a higher power than the Martians to a certain degree but yet knew that they were foreigners on hostile territory. The “jihadists” had an attitude of invincibility that eventually came back to haunt them.
Social Commentary
There were various current day likenesses that I thought of while reading this story. The portrayal of the government of Mars reminded me of Communistic closed country. They kept a heavy hand over their people and they ruled with an iron fist of fear and quick judgement. There seems to be a bit of a technology Cold War race going on similar to the Space Race that occurred between Russia and the U.S. and still goes on to some degree today. The love/hate relationship between the planets like I said earlier remind me of the strained relationship that U.S. has with some of their “allies” which remain unpredictable powder kegs to this day. And too just the fact that it seems as though Mars really didn’t like Terra’s presence on their planet and yet they needed them for their commercial presence and what they had to offer that the Martians didn’t have available resources for. Again a portrayal of countries today that really can’t stand each other and yet they are kind of dependent on the resources available to them through that other country that otherwise they would have to do without. The whole story portrayed today’s global upset that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, this game of chess in which the planets in this case (and in our case today, countries) try to establish amongst themselves who is bigger and better and stronger and able to have more military clout.
Conclusion
This story was a good science fiction read with a focus on inner planet travel and planet politics. It also had aspects of advanced technology and the ways technology could play a lethal part in warfare. It was a good portrayal of the ever present global tension between countries and the push-pull of dependence on resources available in one country while being at political odds and underlying currents of enmity even though there’s an extent to which they depend on each other to keep both their economies thriving. I would recommend reading this short story.
July 12, 2017
Our Small Town
The Crystal Crypt, which was published early in 1954 in the magazine “Planet Stories” is a story with a surprise ending that may not be too surprising after all. Terra is once more in conflict, this time with her neighbour Mars. We are aboard the last passenger spacecraft allowed to leave the Red Planet before the war is likely to break out, but all of a sudden, some Martian Leiters, black-clad officers that not too dimly evoke German Nazis, enter the ship in search of three terrorists, one woman and two men, who are charged with having blown up an entire Martian town. All passengers are subjected to a polygraph examination but to no avail. The Martians leave the ship, baffled and disgruntled (I wonder who will re-gruntle them). When the ship has finally set out towards Terra, three passengers tell a young man how they entered a Martian city in the guise of native people, how they carefully planted their devices in different areas of the city and then turned tail and ran …
Reading The Crystal Crypt was a rather strange and alienating experience to me in our day when terrorist attacks have cast their shadow over everyday life, and for all the antipathy those Martian Leiters filled me with, I found the trio from Terra even less prepossessing because I could not stop thinking of all the unoffending people living in the city they targeted.
All in all, I found this short story less intriguing in terms of Dick’s typical ability to come up with fascinating ideas.
The Crystal Crypt, which was published early in 1954 in the magazine “Planet Stories” is a story with a surprise ending that may not be too surprising after all. Terra is once more in conflict, this time with her neighbour Mars. We are aboard the last passenger spacecraft allowed to leave the Red Planet before the war is likely to break out, but all of a sudden, some Martian Leiters, black-clad officers that not too dimly evoke German Nazis, enter the ship in search of three terrorists, one woman and two men, who are charged with having blown up an entire Martian town. All passengers are subjected to a polygraph examination but to no avail. The Martians leave the ship, baffled and disgruntled (I wonder who will re-gruntle them). When the ship has finally set out towards Terra, three passengers tell a young man how they entered a Martian city in the guise of native people, how they carefully planted their devices in different areas of the city and then turned tail and ran …
Reading The Crystal Crypt was a rather strange and alienating experience to me in our day when terrorist attacks have cast their shadow over everyday life, and for all the antipathy those Martian Leiters filled me with, I found the trio from Terra even less prepossessing because I could not stop thinking of all the unoffending people living in the city they targeted.
All in all, I found this short story less intriguing in terms of Dick’s typical ability to come up with fascinating ideas.
February 1, 2018
Cold War setting, relocated to Mars. Great ideas! 80%
Title: The Crystal Crypt & Beyond the Door
Author: Philip K Dick
Read by Phil Chenevert
Also listened 1/2/18 as part of “Short science fiction collection 016 “- LibriVox Read by Greg Margarite
Title: The Crystal Crypt & Beyond the Door
Author: Philip K Dick
Read by Phil Chenevert
Also listened 1/2/18 as part of “Short science fiction collection 016 “- LibriVox Read by Greg Margarite
September 7, 2016
Sometimes even knowing what's coming can be enjoyable - that's PKD for you.
February 17, 2019
Well.... I think was awful.
Why on earth did they share their secret to the first random guy? No point for me... very silly...
Why on earth did they share their secret to the first random guy? No point for me... very silly...
October 30, 2020
The ending made me laugh but I saw it coming.
July 3, 2022
Do you ever find yourself missing a moment in time that you didn’t experience? The Crystal Crypt made me nostalgic for times past. However, I will save those thoughts for my conclusion. The Crystal Crypt was first published in 1954’s January edition of Planet Stories. There is also a short film adaptation of the story; you can check out the trailer below at your own risk.
In the future, Earth and Mars are on the verge of war. As the last spaceship leaves Mars, Martian soldiers fail to uncover a trio of saboteurs, who they believe are responsible for destroying an entire city on the red planet. Safely on their Journey back to Terra Firma, a business name named Thatcher slowly begins to learn the absolute truth from three of its mysterious passengers.
Firstly, I will say that this is the weakest of the short stories I have read by Philip K. Dick. That said, there is still a lot to enjoy and discuss. I enjoyed the mythology of Mars and this almost primitive ideology of the world the Martians occupied.
Luckily, a friend also decided to join me. Adam Beckett is one-half of the excellent Instagram page, A Couple of Dorks. I would highly recommend visiting them for some fantastic reviews.
Adam. Dick is at his best when writing about the human condition, or a societal flaw which he usually extrapolates to create a dystopian world.
Now, I hope you did watch the trailer for the short film because it’s not the way I envisioned the story in my mind. Now, if I ever had the opportunity to create my image of events, it would look something like this. Everything on Mars felt gritty, and I would shoot all those scenes in colour. I think this is where Philip K. Dick starts to create a mood that is falling away from the 1950’s style of writing. The world he was explaining to me felt tangible. However, it feels like a deadline was imminent, and this story had to be wrapped up before it even began.
“An ancient, sun-baked City, a City set in the middle of a wasted plain, beyond groves of dead trees, a City seldom seen by Terrans—but a City studied on maps and charts in every War Office on Terra. A City that contained, for all its ancient stone and archaic towers, the ruling group of all Mars, the Council of Senior Leiters, black-clad men who governed and ruled with an iron hand.”
What intrigues me is the contrast that I felt aboard the last spaceship to Earth. Now, my opinions are my own, and I could be completely wrong, but this is how the story plays out to me. Well, I guess there can’t be any right or wrong! It’s our interpretation that makes it unique to each of us. However, I would have shot these scenes in glorious black and white. Everything aboard the spaceship takes me back to the Twilight Zone, and I love that.
Adam. Crystal Crypt left me a bit disappointed, it's probably because I was expecting Dick's usual cynicism and paranoia, but all we got was a cool idea about trapping a city. A bit too "normal" for Dick.
I’m lucky with these short stories because as much as I enjoy Philip K. Dick, I do love early pulp fiction. They are like a time capsule that feels almost romantic in its approach. Everyone seems to be smoking a cigarette, and the cocktail bar is always the number one commodity for a bright future amongst the stars.
The globe feels like nothing more than a MacGuffin to me. The real story is the interaction between Thatcher and three saboteurs. One of my favourite sayings is “loose lips sink ships”. A phrase that originated on World War II posters. However, it’s still perfectly accurate to this day.
I think the three saboteurs gave their story up a little too easy in this tale, but it’s that simplicity that makes it effective. The Crystal Crypt is nearly seventy years old, but the story remains the same. This World is far more advanced than the one in the 1950s, but the information that is shared between each other is still as valuable. Maybe Philip K. Dick is pointing out that no matter what happens, some good old-fashioned bullshit and espionage will always be the most valuable commodity in war.
“What do I do?” Thacher said. “Well, if you like, I’ll show you.” He reached into his coat and brought out something. Something that flashed and glinted, something slender. A rod of pale fire. The three stared at it. Sickened shock settled over them slowly.”
I can’t say I was surprised that Thatcher was a Martian secret agent. I did like the metal box that could work out if you are telling the truth or not. It was interesting how they learnt the bend the truth to escape. It was effective.
Now please don’t think I’m sitting at home with tin foil on my head because these are just some random thoughts about this enjoyable little story from the mind of Philip K. Dick. Is it perfect? Not really. But it is fascinating how Philip K. Dick and numerous writers could create these stories weekly and pay the rent.
Adam. Would love to see this as a full novel because there's obviously a big political story in the background, but as a short story, I was just a bit disappointed.
I think that is all I have to say about The Crystal Crypt. However, it is your comments that take it to another level. What do you think about the story? Please let me know in the comments below, and thank you for visiting today.
In the future, Earth and Mars are on the verge of war. As the last spaceship leaves Mars, Martian soldiers fail to uncover a trio of saboteurs, who they believe are responsible for destroying an entire city on the red planet. Safely on their Journey back to Terra Firma, a business name named Thatcher slowly begins to learn the absolute truth from three of its mysterious passengers.
Firstly, I will say that this is the weakest of the short stories I have read by Philip K. Dick. That said, there is still a lot to enjoy and discuss. I enjoyed the mythology of Mars and this almost primitive ideology of the world the Martians occupied.
Luckily, a friend also decided to join me. Adam Beckett is one-half of the excellent Instagram page, A Couple of Dorks. I would highly recommend visiting them for some fantastic reviews.
Adam. Dick is at his best when writing about the human condition, or a societal flaw which he usually extrapolates to create a dystopian world.
Now, I hope you did watch the trailer for the short film because it’s not the way I envisioned the story in my mind. Now, if I ever had the opportunity to create my image of events, it would look something like this. Everything on Mars felt gritty, and I would shoot all those scenes in colour. I think this is where Philip K. Dick starts to create a mood that is falling away from the 1950’s style of writing. The world he was explaining to me felt tangible. However, it feels like a deadline was imminent, and this story had to be wrapped up before it even began.
“An ancient, sun-baked City, a City set in the middle of a wasted plain, beyond groves of dead trees, a City seldom seen by Terrans—but a City studied on maps and charts in every War Office on Terra. A City that contained, for all its ancient stone and archaic towers, the ruling group of all Mars, the Council of Senior Leiters, black-clad men who governed and ruled with an iron hand.”
What intrigues me is the contrast that I felt aboard the last spaceship to Earth. Now, my opinions are my own, and I could be completely wrong, but this is how the story plays out to me. Well, I guess there can’t be any right or wrong! It’s our interpretation that makes it unique to each of us. However, I would have shot these scenes in glorious black and white. Everything aboard the spaceship takes me back to the Twilight Zone, and I love that.
Adam. Crystal Crypt left me a bit disappointed, it's probably because I was expecting Dick's usual cynicism and paranoia, but all we got was a cool idea about trapping a city. A bit too "normal" for Dick.
I’m lucky with these short stories because as much as I enjoy Philip K. Dick, I do love early pulp fiction. They are like a time capsule that feels almost romantic in its approach. Everyone seems to be smoking a cigarette, and the cocktail bar is always the number one commodity for a bright future amongst the stars.
The globe feels like nothing more than a MacGuffin to me. The real story is the interaction between Thatcher and three saboteurs. One of my favourite sayings is “loose lips sink ships”. A phrase that originated on World War II posters. However, it’s still perfectly accurate to this day.
I think the three saboteurs gave their story up a little too easy in this tale, but it’s that simplicity that makes it effective. The Crystal Crypt is nearly seventy years old, but the story remains the same. This World is far more advanced than the one in the 1950s, but the information that is shared between each other is still as valuable. Maybe Philip K. Dick is pointing out that no matter what happens, some good old-fashioned bullshit and espionage will always be the most valuable commodity in war.
“What do I do?” Thacher said. “Well, if you like, I’ll show you.” He reached into his coat and brought out something. Something that flashed and glinted, something slender. A rod of pale fire. The three stared at it. Sickened shock settled over them slowly.”
I can’t say I was surprised that Thatcher was a Martian secret agent. I did like the metal box that could work out if you are telling the truth or not. It was interesting how they learnt the bend the truth to escape. It was effective.
Now please don’t think I’m sitting at home with tin foil on my head because these are just some random thoughts about this enjoyable little story from the mind of Philip K. Dick. Is it perfect? Not really. But it is fascinating how Philip K. Dick and numerous writers could create these stories weekly and pay the rent.
Adam. Would love to see this as a full novel because there's obviously a big political story in the background, but as a short story, I was just a bit disappointed.
I think that is all I have to say about The Crystal Crypt. However, it is your comments that take it to another level. What do you think about the story? Please let me know in the comments below, and thank you for visiting today.
December 26, 2018
" This story has a nice spy versus spy device that is likely influenced by various cultural motifs on Cold War espionage. One important element is that the saboteurs seem to not be fully malevolent. Their goal is to use the Martian city trapped in a crystal crypt to either win the war or avoid war. Rather than destroying the city, they chose to preserve it. In an era when the predominant vision of war involved the destruction of entire cities with nuclear bombs, this turn is welcome. Unfortunately, like all technologies the power to reduce cities to a small size can be used by either side in a conflict. The final suggestion by Thatcher, the Martian agent, is that Earth cities will be reduced as well, sparking an inevitable and endless cycle of retaliation that will be every bit as devastating as the a more conventional war.
It should also be noted that this technology to reduce cities could have many positive applications. They are not dreamed up in the story, of course. As both sides prepare for armed conflict, the application of technologies are invariably violent. This is the central thesis of the novella “The Variable Man,” where faster-than-light travel is planned to be used as a weapon to destroy an entire star system.
We have yet another example of a conflict between Terra and human colonials in the other planets and bodies of the solar system. In his early stories, this was Dick’s favorite geopolitical scenario, seconded only by the ever-ominous Proxima Centarui. The difference between the people who stay on Earth and those who venture out onto the cosmic frontier fascinated Dick. In this case, Mars is presented as a technology and military backwater, but it remains a potential threat to Terra. The strong police presence that the passengers on the ship and the saboteur encounter suggest that Mars was not a frontier paradise. It was more of a police state. The cause of the conflict is that Mars seems to be controlling the trade and constricting the Terra economy. Does Dick imagine a situation where Earth needs to expand to survive? This is the conclusion we draw in “The Variable Man.” Here it is presented with a more crass economic formulation. The differences are not yet so great that commerce, travel, and tourism between the two planets is discouraged."
It should also be noted that this technology to reduce cities could have many positive applications. They are not dreamed up in the story, of course. As both sides prepare for armed conflict, the application of technologies are invariably violent. This is the central thesis of the novella “The Variable Man,” where faster-than-light travel is planned to be used as a weapon to destroy an entire star system.
We have yet another example of a conflict between Terra and human colonials in the other planets and bodies of the solar system. In his early stories, this was Dick’s favorite geopolitical scenario, seconded only by the ever-ominous Proxima Centarui. The difference between the people who stay on Earth and those who venture out onto the cosmic frontier fascinated Dick. In this case, Mars is presented as a technology and military backwater, but it remains a potential threat to Terra. The strong police presence that the passengers on the ship and the saboteur encounter suggest that Mars was not a frontier paradise. It was more of a police state. The cause of the conflict is that Mars seems to be controlling the trade and constricting the Terra economy. Does Dick imagine a situation where Earth needs to expand to survive? This is the conclusion we draw in “The Variable Man.” Here it is presented with a more crass economic formulation. The differences are not yet so great that commerce, travel, and tourism between the two planets is discouraged."
March 24, 2021
I would give this short story 3 1/2 stars if I could.
The story: The Martians are looking for the three people who destroyed an entire Martian city. They have a portable lie detector, and they are sure that the perpetrators are on this transport, but after asking each person whether they destroyed the city, each answers truthfully, "No". Yet the three perpetrators are present, and after the Martians leave, they explain what they did and how they didn't lie.
Any problems with this story? Yes. I can't figure out why these three people said anything to anyone at all. Other than that, it's terrific.
Any modesty issues? One of the guards made a leering joke about the woman. It was a foolish joke that would get a man tortured to death today, but back then it simply reminded a woman why having a husband to protect her from idiots like that guard was still a good idea.
The ending was somewhat abrupt as many short story endings can be. If it had been a more detailed ending I probably would have given this story 4 stars.
I might read this story again.
The story: The Martians are looking for the three people who destroyed an entire Martian city. They have a portable lie detector, and they are sure that the perpetrators are on this transport, but after asking each person whether they destroyed the city, each answers truthfully, "No". Yet the three perpetrators are present, and after the Martians leave, they explain what they did and how they didn't lie.
Any problems with this story? Yes. I can't figure out why these three people said anything to anyone at all. Other than that, it's terrific.
Any modesty issues? One of the guards made a leering joke about the woman. It was a foolish joke that would get a man tortured to death today, but back then it simply reminded a woman why having a husband to protect her from idiots like that guard was still a good idea.
The ending was somewhat abrupt as many short story endings can be. If it had been a more detailed ending I probably would have given this story 4 stars.
I might read this story again.
May 24, 2020
Maybe it's because I just finished writing a story about Mars, but I was definitely in the mood for this shortie.
The last flight out of Mars is headed for Terra, and the Leiters stop the ship long enough to check each passenger in search of three saboteurs...
What a cool story!
I enjoyed this a lot, but my favourite thing about this story is how seemingly average the beginning appears, before everything starts taking shape and becomes very clear. And of course, when that happens, I was once again amazed by how clever PKD's stories always turn out to be.
In a story so short and with so much happening, it's easy to assume that character development will fall flat. But it didn't. With just a few details, situations and circumstances, the main characters are quickly fully formed. And the imagery he describes filled my mind with the utter beauty of Mars.
Not to mention that twist ending! PKD did it again. I enjoyed the hell out of this.
The last flight out of Mars is headed for Terra, and the Leiters stop the ship long enough to check each passenger in search of three saboteurs...
What a cool story!
I enjoyed this a lot, but my favourite thing about this story is how seemingly average the beginning appears, before everything starts taking shape and becomes very clear. And of course, when that happens, I was once again amazed by how clever PKD's stories always turn out to be.
In a story so short and with so much happening, it's easy to assume that character development will fall flat. But it didn't. With just a few details, situations and circumstances, the main characters are quickly fully formed. And the imagery he describes filled my mind with the utter beauty of Mars.
Not to mention that twist ending! PKD did it again. I enjoyed the hell out of this.
Read
October 25, 2025A Cripta de Cristal mostra o quanto Philip K. Dick conseguia criar mundos inteiros em poucas páginas. Em menos de quarenta, ele nos leva a Marte, com problemas econômicos e geográficos, nos apresenta um lugar seco, cheio de desconfiança, onde as árvores são mortas. É impressionante como ele faz isso sem precisar explicar demais: a gente simplesmente acredita e entra naquele universo.
A história funciona como um ciclo, como se tudo já estivesse decidido desde o início. O clima de investigação, as conversas tensas e o final rápido e surpreendente fazem o conto funcionar como um pequeno exercício de paranoia.
Mais do que uma história sobre Marte, é um conto sobre engano e aparência, sobre como a verdade pode ser construída e escondida com a mesma facilidade. Curto, direto e inteligente, deixa a impressão de que algo muito maior está acontecendo fora das páginas. E ainda nos deixa receosos se esse tipo de tecnologia realmente existisse.
A história funciona como um ciclo, como se tudo já estivesse decidido desde o início. O clima de investigação, as conversas tensas e o final rápido e surpreendente fazem o conto funcionar como um pequeno exercício de paranoia.
Mais do que uma história sobre Marte, é um conto sobre engano e aparência, sobre como a verdade pode ser construída e escondida com a mesma facilidade. Curto, direto e inteligente, deixa a impressão de que algo muito maior está acontecendo fora das páginas. E ainda nos deixa receosos se esse tipo de tecnologia realmente existisse.
Read
January 25, 2020Jan, huh? Matal v. Tam - "with my big black brutes and my black suitcase, do believe I'll find myself a new case. We could live beside the ocean, leave the crowds behind, swim out past the breakers, watch the world die."
This was an eerie read simply because of the character's names. The old adage that all connection to people living or dead has never ring more true for me, doubly so in our fake-news era.
Apple has found a few collections they think copyright has not been renewed and Dick is one of them. I have maybe five more stories to sort through. Maybe after that I'll move on to the Greif.
This was an eerie read simply because of the character's names. The old adage that all connection to people living or dead has never ring more true for me, doubly so in our fake-news era.
Apple has found a few collections they think copyright has not been renewed and Dick is one of them. I have maybe five more stories to sort through. Maybe after that I'll move on to the Greif.
April 22, 2021
Trust me this is a great story by PKD, its engaging, the characters are interesting, and the setting may seem typical for its time but is believable nonetheless.
SPOILER ALERT
I don't want to spoil the plot, but Three Terran's tell a story to a complete stranger about capturing a Martian city. The man they tell the story to is a Martian Agent. But why would they tell the story to a stranger? Plothole. If you just secretly captured Moscow, would you tell some dude on a plane about it?
SPOILER ALERT
I don't want to spoil the plot, but Three Terran's tell a story to a complete stranger about capturing a Martian city. The man they tell the story to is a Martian Agent. But why would they tell the story to a stranger? Plothole. If you just secretly captured Moscow, would you tell some dude on a plane about it?
September 14, 2020
This is the audiobook edition with Phil Chenevert as a narrator and the narration could be better. It's okay, but it takes a bit from the quality of the story. Beyond that, the story is good, but doesn't really feels like anything special or extraordinary, but good. It might have been more extraordinary at the time it came out, I don't know, if the main plot idea was something new at the time. Today at least it wasn't very surprising, it was good, but didn't seem like an unique idea.
December 20, 2021
Actual Rating: 2.5
Meh. This is basically a long was to ask "Wouldn't it be cool if we could ". It's a fair question, but it's also the only real interesting thing in the story-- you can read the spoiler and get the whole story without loosing out on very much, and it's much quicker, too. Maybe if it had delved deeper into the implications it would have been more worth it.
Meh. This is basically a long was to ask "Wouldn't it be cool if we could ". It's a fair question, but it's also the only real interesting thing in the story-- you can read the spoiler and get the whole story without loosing out on very much, and it's much quicker, too. Maybe if it had delved deeper into the implications it would have been more worth it.
April 28, 2024
Conto divertido, dinâmico, apesar de em algum ponto já podemos tentar prever alguns acontecimentos, ainda é muito criativo.
Os ricos elementos da ficção científica estão muito presentes, de fato, as ideias são muito boas, a trama, o envolvimento, realmente um clássico, com um pano de fundo de uma guerra iminente entre a Terra e Marte, ainda temos umas pitadas de intriga política, espionagem, etc.
Poderia facilmente virar um bom filme...
Os ricos elementos da ficção científica estão muito presentes, de fato, as ideias são muito boas, a trama, o envolvimento, realmente um clássico, com um pano de fundo de uma guerra iminente entre a Terra e Marte, ainda temos umas pitadas de intriga política, espionagem, etc.
Poderia facilmente virar um bom filme...
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