Philip K. Dick book recommendations please?

Question

I haven't read any books by this author but have noticed that several have been made into films, most of which I've liked. What are considered to be his best books or which ones are worth reading first? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I would recommend starting with 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'. It's more readable than some and a good place to begin. Once you get used to the content of his writing it's easier to deal with some of his more complex and surreal ideas.

Films:

Blade Runner (1982)
Based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Screamers (1995)
Based on "Second Variety"

Total Recall (1990)
Based on "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale"

Confessions d'un Barjo (French, 1992)
Based on "Confessions of a Crap Artist"

Impostor (2001)
Based on "Impostor."

Minority Report (2002)
Based on "The Minority Report."

Paycheck (December 25, 2003)
Based on "Paycheck."

A Scanner Darkly (July 7, 2006)
Based on "A Scanner Darkly"

Next (April 27, 2007)
Based on "The Golden Man"

Answer 2

some writers i've got enjoyed: Sheri S Tepper Neil Gaiman Neal Stephenson William Gibson Bruce Sterling Connie Willis Orson Scott Card Charles DeLint Terry Pratchett Douglas Adams Christopher Moore Naomi Novik

Answer 3

Man in High Castle
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
A Scanner Darkly
Dr, Bloodmoney
Deus Irae

Dozens of different short stories are worth getting.

Answer 4

The ones I liked best were:

Martian Time-slip
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch
The Man in the High Castle
A Scanner Darkly
VALIS - however, be warned you should probably not try this one as your first PKD book.

Answer 5

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
Flow My Tears The Policeman Said
Ubik


most of his writing is ok... it's his concepts that are wild...

Answer 6

I think diherrea is a good book.