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Five Great Novels: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch / Martian Time-Slip / Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? / Ubik / A Scanner Darkly
An omnibus volume of five of the best novels by 'the most consistently brilliant SF writer in the world' (John Brunner). Dick's tales of twisted perceptions and false realities have shaped modern SF and provided the inspiration for numerous blockbuster movies.
'For everyone lost in the endlessly multiplicating realities of the modern world, remember: Philip K. Dick got there first' TERRY GILLIAM
In The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch mankind is offered a permanent shared illusory world when industrialist Eldritch introduces the alien drug Chew-Z.
In Martian time-Slip Arnie Kott and his plumbing union control the entire water supply on Mars. But Arnie is poisoning the lives of everyone around him.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Dick's grim vision of a bounty hunter stalking renegade replicants through a devastated future was made into the film Blade Runner.
Ubik crosses the boundaries of life, death and reality with the story of Glen Runciter. He is dead. Or is he? As reality warps for those he left behind nothing is certain anymore.
A Scanner Darkly is, perhaps uncharacteristically for Dick, about the dangers of drug use, drawing a future plagued by an almost hallucinatory level of drug-induced violence.
Philip K. Dick (1928-82), was born one of twins; his sister died in infancy. He lived most of his life in California and wrote more than fifty books in a career of prodigious productivity and achievement. The films Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and Paycheck are all based on his stories.
'For everyone lost in the endlessly multiplicating realities of the modern world, remember: Philip K. Dick got there first' TERRY GILLIAM
In The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch mankind is offered a permanent shared illusory world when industrialist Eldritch introduces the alien drug Chew-Z.
In Martian time-Slip Arnie Kott and his plumbing union control the entire water supply on Mars. But Arnie is poisoning the lives of everyone around him.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Dick's grim vision of a bounty hunter stalking renegade replicants through a devastated future was made into the film Blade Runner.
Ubik crosses the boundaries of life, death and reality with the story of Glen Runciter. He is dead. Or is he? As reality warps for those he left behind nothing is certain anymore.
A Scanner Darkly is, perhaps uncharacteristically for Dick, about the dangers of drug use, drawing a future plagued by an almost hallucinatory level of drug-induced violence.
Philip K. Dick (1928-82), was born one of twins; his sister died in infancy. He lived most of his life in California and wrote more than fifty books in a career of prodigious productivity and achievement. The films Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and Paycheck are all based on his stories.
839 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
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4178 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
2,006 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 5, 2014
Writing over 40 novels, often at breakneck speed while on various drugs, Phillip K Dick produced a lot of so-so work and about 15 or so essential books. Five of those essential ones are here, in a handy 840 page omnibus. I'm convinced now that there are two kinds of people, the kind that loves his work and can't get enough and the kind that starts crying and goes "I don't get it! This is terrible because I do not get it!" If you're one of those people, you should probably stop after a few chapters of The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch and go back to cherry picking from Oprah's Book Club. You ain't gonna get much from going much further.
For the rest of you, this is a good way to get your weird fiction fix. And if someone is bothering you on the bus, you can hit them with it! It's quite a heavy book, even in paperback format. Ah, PDK. Is there anything you can't do?
For the rest of you, this is a good way to get your weird fiction fix. And if someone is bothering you on the bus, you can hit them with it! It's quite a heavy book, even in paperback format. Ah, PDK. Is there anything you can't do?
May 19, 2022
As always Philip K Dick, takes the reader on a Psychedelic hell ride into a future of corporate-technocratic totalitarianism, that leaves us the questioning of perception, institutions and the very nature of autonomy.
May 4, 2014
Another book read a while ago but still on the to-read list.
I want to read everything PKD did, never boring, always entertaining and exciting.
I want to read everything PKD did, never boring, always entertaining and exciting.
June 5, 2010
This is a compilation of five books:
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch: Off-world colonists try to forget their harsh existence through the use of hallucinogenic drugs and doll-sets. Interesting ideas, but also very confusing. ***
Martian Time-Slip: A powerful union-head tries to hold on to his power by manipulating a boy who sees time differently. So many unlikeable characters, it's hard to stay with this one. **
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: A bounty hunter attempts to find and kill a group of rogue androids. A good book. ****
Ubik: A group of people who can counter psychic abilities are caught in a bomb blast. They then try to work out whether they are alive, or in a state of post-death stasis called half-life. Confusing but intriguing. ***
A Scanner Darkly: An undercover anti-narcotics agent starts to mentally collapse while investigating a group of his own friends. Again, confusing but strangely gripping. ****
Overall, a lot of Dick's work involves altered states and drug use, which can be hard to get a handle on if you have no similar first-hand experiences. Good books, but not entirely to my taste.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch: Off-world colonists try to forget their harsh existence through the use of hallucinogenic drugs and doll-sets. Interesting ideas, but also very confusing. ***
Martian Time-Slip: A powerful union-head tries to hold on to his power by manipulating a boy who sees time differently. So many unlikeable characters, it's hard to stay with this one. **
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: A bounty hunter attempts to find and kill a group of rogue androids. A good book. ****
Ubik: A group of people who can counter psychic abilities are caught in a bomb blast. They then try to work out whether they are alive, or in a state of post-death stasis called half-life. Confusing but intriguing. ***
A Scanner Darkly: An undercover anti-narcotics agent starts to mentally collapse while investigating a group of his own friends. Again, confusing but strangely gripping. ****
Overall, a lot of Dick's work involves altered states and drug use, which can be hard to get a handle on if you have no similar first-hand experiences. Good books, but not entirely to my taste.
May 26, 2016
A great way to get into Philip K. Dick's writing, with five stories that draw the reader progressively deeper into the writer's weirdly wonderful world, while dealing with the overarching theme of our humanity.
June 13, 2011
Buy this Just do it!
August 12, 2011
I don't read much science fiction (thank god) but thought I'd give this a bash. Consists of the 'Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch' which is well weird; 'Martian Time Slip' which is captivating and well written; 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' - yep the basis for Bladerunner but a lot lot better than Bladerunner in parts (and also worse in others); Ubik which is probably the most interesting and better developed of the five; and A Scanner Darkly which is just pathetic, decrepit and not worth spending any time on and written at the height of PKD's speed-power binge writing period.
Reading all five has made me understand why filmmakers and Californians in particular love PKD and see him as somehow "deep, man". He's not. In fact he's pretty shallow but the most infuriating aspect is that you can see the writer he might have become if he put an ounce of energy into the development of a half of the ideas that he spewed out onto the page in speed-fuelled ravages of writing. Its such a pity as you can see that he can write but that he can't be arsed to fully develop his ideas because the next one is already impingeing on his ephedrine buzz. A great shame and a great loss.
Reading all five has made me understand why filmmakers and Californians in particular love PKD and see him as somehow "deep, man". He's not. In fact he's pretty shallow but the most infuriating aspect is that you can see the writer he might have become if he put an ounce of energy into the development of a half of the ideas that he spewed out onto the page in speed-fuelled ravages of writing. Its such a pity as you can see that he can write but that he can't be arsed to fully develop his ideas because the next one is already impingeing on his ephedrine buzz. A great shame and a great loss.
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March 13, 2011Classic Sci Fi: What more can I say? PKD invented modern science fiction in my book. And here are 5 of his best stories. Yes, the Bladerunner one is there, and so is A Scanner Darkly, which is better.
August 19, 2016
I can't believe I didn't know about Philip K. Dick! These novels are right up my alley. I don't even know which I liked best, as each was so distinctive and mind-altering. I will say that I found Ubik a bit creepy to read before bed in a dark room by myself.
September 28, 2025
I mean, "Great"? I'm not sure.
Cumulatively marvellous? Yes.
Mindbendingly eyeopening, probably drug-inspired, novelistic responses to the unreal nature of reality, yes.
If you ever (foolishly) thought The Matrix was profound, read these. Then read VALIS.
I don't think anyone else writes like Philip K Dick. That's probably a good thing. A genius.
Cumulatively marvellous? Yes.
Mindbendingly eyeopening, probably drug-inspired, novelistic responses to the unreal nature of reality, yes.
If you ever (foolishly) thought The Matrix was profound, read these. Then read VALIS.
I don't think anyone else writes like Philip K Dick. That's probably a good thing. A genius.
January 3, 2018
J'ai juste lu Ubik...
April 21, 2019
Ubik is mind-blowing. The rest is very good.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
August 3, 2021
Well, these really are five of the best P. K. Dick's novels!
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July 19, 2022I can now read the Novel on the Anime app...
October 15, 2023
***** The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (1965)
*** Martian Time-Slip (1964)
***** Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
***** Ubik (1969)
**** A Scanner Darkly (1977)
*** Martian Time-Slip (1964)
***** Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
***** Ubik (1969)
**** A Scanner Darkly (1977)
March 15, 2024
italics>
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May 4, 2025General feeling: Ubik > Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? > A Scanner Darkly > The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch > Martian Time-Slip.
February 16, 2013
I know Phil Dick has great stature in the world of science fiction and many of his stories have been made into films. However, I honestly found this book a real chore to read. Many of his stories have elements of drug use in them, which is hardly surprising given his own drug use. These elements of his stories massively detract from the more hard-boiled science fiction elements. Too often the stories seemed to ramble along aimlessly and you start to wonder where on earth it's going.
The films made of his books tend to leave out all the drug-related aspects and are better for them. Ironically, the most readable was A Scanner Darkly, which was all about drugs, drug use, and the impact of drugs. The film that was made of it was probably the worst one of all the adaptations.
I won't be reading this again, and I've donated my copy to charity.
The films made of his books tend to leave out all the drug-related aspects and are better for them. Ironically, the most readable was A Scanner Darkly, which was all about drugs, drug use, and the impact of drugs. The film that was made of it was probably the worst one of all the adaptations.
I won't be reading this again, and I've donated my copy to charity.
September 20, 2011
Dick fanatic - nuff said.
November 16, 2016
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is one of those books you have to reread once in a while. Still as good as the first time.
February 21, 2019
I love A Scanner Darkly, set in the 'not so distant future' a undercover policeman is set up by the government to get their new drug out on the streets but so burned up by the drug he doesn't realize he's after and investigating himself. Great read. All the stories in this book are good. There are always twists and turns with P.K.D.
Everyone is familiar with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep because turned into a very popular movie with Harrison Ford. A Fun read
Everyone is familiar with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep because turned into a very popular movie with Harrison Ford. A Fun read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews