Welcome to Page 15 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 15.
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? by Philip K. Dick
Publication Date: 1968
One thing we quickly find out when reading DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, the basis of the hit movie Blade Runner, is that the book and film are as different as night and day. I’m sure plenty of people have experienced confusion with the book, especially if they bought a copy like mine (pictured below), since Blade Runner is written across the top. They see the movie, really enjoy it, and decide to read the media tie-in edition, only to discover that the original novel (if they even realized this was a novel first) is nearly as different as Star Trek is from Star Wars…and while that’s probably taking this apples and oranges comparison a little too far—because you will recognize some aspects from the movie—I’ll venture to say that a few readers would probably agree.
I’m not knocking either version, though, because there’s plenty of room in fandom to enjoy and appreciate the book and the film. Being an avid reader, I typically like the book better when it’s been made into a movie…but not always. In some rare cases I prefer the movie (or miniseries or streaming show), and probably even more rare for me is liking both about the same, regardless of the differences. Which is my sentiment for Blade Runner and DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?
It, he thought. She keeps calling the owl it. ~ Rick Deckard
The novel goes into Mercerism, a strange religion created by a man named Wilbur Mercer, and rather than taking the time to explain it, you can take a deeper dive at the link HERE, if you so choose.
I remember thinking how much better we are, how much better off, when we’re with Mercer. Despite the pain. Physical pain but spiritually together; I felt everyone else, all over the world, all who had fused at the same time. ~ Iran Deckard
It’s a status symbol to own animals in DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?—they are rare and expensive (nuclear war tends to do that), which created a market for…electric sheep…and other robot creatures…for those who can’t afford a live one. Rick Deckard, the protagonist, carries his Sidney’s Animal & Fowl Catalogue January supplement with him so that he can ascertain values when he comes upon animals that he may be interested in buying. Not exactly like the movie, right?
More in line with Blade Runner, Deckard is a bounty hunter, with an assignment to “retire” (kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids (called replicants in the movie). And, like the movie, Deckard may or may not be an android…or replicant.
If you’ve neither read the book nor seen the movie, perhaps you’re interested in giving them a try. Which do I suggest you experience first? I’ll leave that up to you because I see them as two separate entities. Additionally, if you’ve never seen the movie, you may want to skip the clip below (should I have put this warning out earlier? Hmmm), which is one of my favorite scenes.
The book probably sounds weird and strange…and it is. But love it or hate it, I think fans of the movie should give the source material a try. I’ve read several Philip K. Dick books, and I know there will be more in my future…perhaps showing up here, too.
And yes, I have a couple Funko Pop! Blade Runner figures.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
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