A review by backyardjake
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Overall fairly engaging and something I can see myself rereading in the future.

At what point is there no difference between us and a machine - when that machine has stopped being a simple tool and has a will of its own? No, of course, because they can't possibly have empathy, a requirement to be human. Or is it a requirement? What is empathy? The simulataneous feeling of emotion of another, perhaps. Or maybe... It's really as simply as Identifying with another.
At least that might be the case with some of the Nexus-6 androids. Interesting for it to be revealed near the climax that empathic religion of Mercerism, Humanity's dangling example of betterment over the androids, is a hoax of a religion (at least from a logical Andy standpoint).  In any case the differences in felt empathy between our main character and the other bounty hunter conveys that this humanly intrinsic sense of emotions for others isn't quite equal across the board.


A showcase of how humans can't help but catergorize in order to create hierarchy. The "Special" character in the mix did not necessarily strike me as someone of low grade intelligence, judging by his internal thoughts. Just as a lonely man suffering from society and his given place in it. He may be seen as human but he sure as hell isn't treated much better than the androids.

Ironic that the majority of earth wants to go to the colonies while androids want to come to earth. Perhaps showing that the andy's have more of a human element than some humans.

I had been meaning to read a Phillip K. Dick novel for some time now, first physical copy I was able to get my paws on.

Backyard approves.
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