EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Welcome to our March 2020 Classics group read! This month we'll be reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.

This is a spoiler free zone. If you’ve already delved into the story, join the conversation here.

How long have you been waiting to read this book? Have you seen the movie Bladerunner? What are your expectations?

I'm going to try to reread it. I only vaguely remember the movie from years and years ago, even though I've read the book twice since then.

Iirc, it's pretty dark. Normally I don't like that, but Dick is so darn smart I always *try* to read his work when a group chooses him, because then we can help each other understand and appreciate what he's trying to do in his stories.

I'd better shut up now and go to the other thread. :)

I have just read this with another group. Its a good book but I am gonna pass. I think I will read The man in the high tower instead. It has been on my TBR list forever

I can't wait to read this. Need to find a copy still though. I love deciphering his work and I find his stories generally very relatable and not as sci-fi-ey as you'd assume they'd be from reading about the premise.

The story is set in 2021, just next year! Glad we're not where author imagined. Looking forward to reading this one.

My first time reading the book, and I’ve never seen the movie. I started the first couple chapters on audiobook, and I also think it’s funny that the “future” is 2021, since we’re pretty much there now.

I just started listening to the audio book the other day. On chapter 4. I'll admit I've needed to rewind quite a bit. I'm having a time following it but I'll keep at it.
I have seen the film many times but I always like to see how books differ. This one is already very in depth and not like the film.

ooh... 2021... I didn't realize...

Hi! I'm newer to this group and GR groups in general, but wanted to jump in here and follow along because this has been on my TBR for a while and I love sci-fi. I particularly love stories about oppressed androids, love the aesthetic of Blade Runner and the sequel, and am looking forward to seeing how this story will be different. I expect that, since so much of the films tone comes from such a unique visual style, the book will be more linear and straightforward.

Straightforward? From PKD? Not likely....

New to GR, but so excited to read this and to have found this group as I’m rediscovering my love of reading through audiobooks. I have not seen the original movie, but I did watch the sequel. This kind of “deep level” sci-fi is not my usual choice, but there’s something about PKD, that pulls me in every time. The book has been on my TBR for about 6 months.

Bit late to the party but this is actually my first participation in a Currently Reading for GR. Looking forward to sharing the experience! I started the book about five days ago.

I tried to listen to the audiobook version of this when I was in college and couldn't get into it. So I was very surprised when I started the audiobook yesterday and found myself following the story with ravenous pleasure. I ordered a physical copy so I can take notes, and enjoy the story at a slower pace.

Cheryl wrote: "Straightforward? From PKD? Not likely...."

Right. The book is similar to the movie in many ways but I wouldn't call it straightforward. PKD is an author that many readers love, but his work is an mind-bending mix of pulp science-fiction, philosophy, counter-culture, and societal commentary. He's one of my favorites, and there aren't many like him. Vonnegut might be the closest I can think of.

Hi All!! This is my first book to read with the group. (I’ve had a hard time finding available ebooks from my library) Although I’m not normally into, nor would I choose to read sci-fi, I’m enjoying it so far. It’s a bit hard for me to follow, and I’m finding I have to go back and reread. I’m only on Chapter 4, so maybe I’ll start to get a handle on this futuristic world.

Kac0037, others, I hope you all find it worth the effort. It was not intended to be a fun, easy read, as I'm sure you can tell.

I saw the post to read this book and thought it was something I needed to do, but didn’t get a copy. A couple weeks ago, my son started asking me about it. He ended up picking it up at his college library. I told him I’d read it when he was done. But I wondered what had spiked his interest in the first place. Turns out the antagonist in the anime Psycho Pass talked about the book and that piqued his interest.

We both enjoyed reading it and had some deep discussions. For instance I was quite certain that Isidore was schizophrenic. I brought up how his point of view was stream-of-consciousness which was first done by Virginia Woolf in To the Lighthouse. He was not convinced of the schizophrenia.

Which led us to the idea of Mercer. Deckerd’s humanity is probed deeply. What does it mean to be human? Clearly the Nexus-6s felt loneliness, fear, and envy. And Dick’s heavy handed point is the issue of empathy. But the Mercer experiences reminded me of communion—an individual experience of god shared as a group. When Deckerd experiences the Mercer climb (like Chris’s carrying the cross or Sysiphus pushing the stone) he has in that moment an epiphany, where he truly recognizes his own and others’ humanity in the struggle. But I saw in Pris’ action with the spider (her lack of reverence for organic life) and Rachel and Irmgard both manipulate men for their benefit while Roy’s cold violence strikes me that they are narcissistic. Which is, of course, someone without empathy. However, their disdain for Mercer is rooted more, I think, in being unable to connect with others via appreciation, love, empathy or faith.

Interesting. I'd love to have that kind of a conversation. I have a son in college too, but he and I read mostly different books.

Starting the book today. I saw the original movie - loved it - and the sequel - ok, but I wasn't as impressed.

This begins our 3rd group discussion of our Catch-Up book selection, nominated by Kimberly.
Here you can comment, without spoilers, on any aspects of the book, either before, during, or after reading it.

I've never seen the movies or read the book. I'm wondering where the 2 titles intersect: how does "Blade Runner" coincide with "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"? Weird.

Daniel wrote: "I've never seen the movies or read the book. I'm wondering where the 2 titles intersect: how does "Blade Runner" coincide with "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"? Weird."

I wondered the same thing.

I read the extra information included at the end of the book about the making of the movie which I found interesting. It seems that Philip Dick was only included as an afterthought.

I have seen the movies and read the book. There isn’t much simularity as to the plots they present, other than showing robots with more humanity in them then actual humans.