#29 - Ubik - Philip K. Dick

Title:  Ubik

Author:  Philip K. Dick

Genre:  Science Fiction

Read by:  Anthony Heald

Publisher/Date:  Blackstone Audio, Inc./2008

Dates listened to:  6/2/17 – 6/19/17

CDs/Hours:  6/7

ISBN: 978-1-4332-2814-8

Originally published in 1969, this book, like the back cover says, is “paranoiac menace and unfettered slapstick”. 

Ubik is not only a product that can stop or slow down your death, but is a car, a kidney salve, a deodorant, you name it!  

Glen Runciter, owner of an anti-psi security agency, goes to the moratorium to talk with his wife about decisions that need to be made.  She’s dead but like others in her state are also in a half-life and can communicate with the living.  Yet Glen is finding it hard to chat with her.  There is static interference that might not be restored.  Glen is furious.  His wife has the answer and he can’t connect with her consciousness.  

Thus is the way of this book.  Finding answers to questions seems impossible.  When Runciter is seemingly killed his mourning employees receive bewildering messages from him – on toilet walls, traffic tickets, product labels, and even U. S. coins.  If you like this sort of comedy and sci-fi, you’ll love this book.  I found it hard to get into but the plot thickened and I stayed with it.  I’m intrigued enough now to want to read another tale by Dick.