Though it is Dick in a book. The Library of America, which has previously waved its magic wand over the heads of Chandler, Hammett, Jim Thompson, Horace McCoy, David Goodis, Patricia Highsmith and Charles Willeford—some of my favorite dead writers—now does the same for Philip K. Dick. Guest editor Jonathan Lethem has gathered four of Dick's best 1960s-era novels (including my personal, and John Lennon's, favorite: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldrich) in one snappy little hardcover volume. Sure, the pages are onion-skin-thin, but that's what makes it all seem so fancy. While I've read all four of the books (I went through a serious Dick phase back in the mid to late 1990s), this attractive new edition gives me an excuse to spin through them all again. And of course, doing this will no doubt send me back for another spin through Lawrence Sutin's excellent Dick biography, Divinie Invasions. You want to see a right go through hell and back (and along the way, meet God)? Read this bio.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I Promise, No "Dick in a Box" Jokes
Though it is Dick in a book. The Library of America, which has previously waved its magic wand over the heads of Chandler, Hammett, Jim Thompson, Horace McCoy, David Goodis, Patricia Highsmith and Charles Willeford—some of my favorite dead writers—now does the same for Philip K. Dick. Guest editor Jonathan Lethem has gathered four of Dick's best 1960s-era novels (including my personal, and John Lennon's, favorite: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldrich) in one snappy little hardcover volume. Sure, the pages are onion-skin-thin, but that's what makes it all seem so fancy. While I've read all four of the books (I went through a serious Dick phase back in the mid to late 1990s), this attractive new edition gives me an excuse to spin through them all again. And of course, doing this will no doubt send me back for another spin through Lawrence Sutin's excellent Dick biography, Divinie Invasions. You want to see a right go through hell and back (and along the way, meet God)? Read this bio.
(I went through a serious Dick phase back in the mid to late 1990s)
ReplyDeleteDon't believe I woulda told that one, brother.
PS: Mine was in the mid 80's.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch is astounding, the kind of mind bending
sense-of-wonder stuff that reminds me why I read SF. And I think of the Perky Pat playsets every time I see my son playing The Sims.
Bah. I prefer MARTIAN TIME-SLIP and A SCANNER DARKLY.
ReplyDeleteI always had a soft spot for Dick.
ReplyDelete(That was for Shelby)
Seriously, I always thought Clans of the Alphane Moon should have gotten more attention.
VG
Guys, guys...at least Duane didn't cop to the old line about, "If you don't know these books, you don't know Dick." Too bad the man had to die before the rest of the world caught on to what he was saying. Classic misunderstood artist story.
ReplyDeleteI love Dick!!
ReplyDeleteHoney,
ReplyDeletewas I around during your "Dick" phase?
"Valis" was the one that threatened my sanity - and I was plowing through Dick in the early 80's, if anyone needs to know.
ReplyDelete