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A review by gregbrown
Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick by Philip K. Dick
5.0
I loved PKD's short stories, just not quite as much as his novels.
Some of my favorite novels of his—UBIK, THREE STIGMATA, etc.—have multiple wild ideas banging around, causing an unexpected yet still suitably pulpy plot. His short stories seem to have room for just one big idea each, making them less personally satisfying. That said, the focus makes them better suited for cinematic adaptation, and you can even see some tropes here echoed in films NOT adapted from PKD stories, like THEY LIVE or SCANNERS.
Still, though, "Foster, You're Dead" is a stone-cold classic that still feels shockingly fresh. And the rest are shot through with enough brilliance to make this collection a very satisfying read.
Some of my favorite novels of his—UBIK, THREE STIGMATA, etc.—have multiple wild ideas banging around, causing an unexpected yet still suitably pulpy plot. His short stories seem to have room for just one big idea each, making them less personally satisfying. That said, the focus makes them better suited for cinematic adaptation, and you can even see some tropes here echoed in films NOT adapted from PKD stories, like THEY LIVE or SCANNERS.
Still, though, "Foster, You're Dead" is a stone-cold classic that still feels shockingly fresh. And the rest are shot through with enough brilliance to make this collection a very satisfying read.