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Arjun Banerjee

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Arjun Banerjee is currently reading

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

by Philip K. Dick

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in March 2014

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Arjun Banerjee said: " PLUS:
1) The plot is philosophical and lends itself to deeper thinking
2) Great emphasis is on morality and empathy and their ambiguity
3) Ideas of the author are very original, even though a post- apocalyptic setting is almost cliched these days
4) De PLUS:
1) The plot is philosophical and lends itself to deeper thinking
2) Great emphasis is on morality and empathy and their ambiguity
3) Ideas of the author are very original, even though a post- apocalyptic setting is almost cliched these days
4) Definitely not for casual reading, its meaning cannot be grasped by casually flicking through it.
MINUS:
1) Loose ends have not been tied up very satisfyingly
2) Many characters could be developed further
3) The plot has the potential to develop its characters further
4) The technology isn't (even fictionally) explained adequately.

The narrative tends more towards philosophy than towards science-fiction, while keeping a healthy dose of the latter. That is something I found enjoyable.
The tone of the novel often gets melancholy and there are ample scenes depicting depression, anxiety, fear and failure, all of which blend beautifully into the theme of a "wasted future" and a dying world. The in-plot action involving Rick Deckard's "assignment" is very concise and clear. The idea of marking animals as status symbols makes it at once absurd and frightening. The parallel sub-plot reveals a darker side of humans and the still darker side of the androids.

The overall plot of the novel is very original, but the author could have explained his fictional technology a bit more, in order to give it a realistic effect, which is an absolute must for science fiction because it always has to make sense. That is one of the major limitations of the book. The lead character's dilemmas are very easily set forth with skill, but the rest of the characters required more development. The plot is satisfying, but keeping with the theme, there was room for more.

The best part about this book was that it requires the reader to UNDERSTAND and THINK about it. That is why I finished the whole thing in one sitting, and then reflected upon it. A great deal of complex ideas and contradicting emotions were conveyed in the relatively short span of the novel, which I think should have been elaborated further. The ideas were compact and precise. At least to me, the book felt 'heavy' in my head. Which is good. ...more "

Mar 26, 2014 02:37AM · see review