Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Phillip K Dick

 

You can buy "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep...Here

• The Blurb...

This is the classic sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The Inspiration for the classic Sci Fi film of Blade Runner.

By 2021, the World War has killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remain covet any living creature, and for people who can’t afford one, companies build incredibly realistic simulacra: horses, birds, cats, sheep. They’ve even built humans. Immigrants to Mars receive androids so sophisticated they are indistinguishable from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans can wreak, the government bans them from Earth. Driven into hiding, unauthorized androids live among human beings, undetected. Rick Deckard, an officially sanctioned bounty hunter, is commissioned to find rogue androids and “retire” them. But when cornered, androids fight back—with lethal force.

• My Review...

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep (DADOES) is a complex and interesting novel. It feels like deep philosophical questions wrapped up in a kafka-esque science fiction version of a near future earth. 

The reader is forced to consider what (and who) is real and what (or who) is not. Variously during the reading of this novel, I thought everyone was an android and no-one was an android. The scenes where there is an interrogation of a potential android were tense and to be honest, often I didn't know who I was routing for. The ever so subtle questions to check the person/androids feelings of empathy were benign and terrifying at the same time. I do have a tendency to go off an a mental tangent now and again. I thought how could you apply this in other genres. Interviewing vampires to distinguish them from humans, that could make for an interesting scene. Then I thought interrogating illegal immigrants must be just as terrifying for the interviewees. Anyway I digress back to the book.

The author does an excellent job of recognising future trends. Earth has been ravaged and animal populations all but wiped out. This  book is set in 2021 but was written in 1968 way before climate change (although the destruction in the book was due to nuclear war, which in many ways seems closer than ever.) The line between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and humans is so thin as to be non-existent. I think the only thing he missed was that AI could possibly merge with human intelligence rather than be camouflaged into it. Elon Musk is apparently developing chips that could stream an internet type thingee straight into the brain. The author also fore saw a declining religion based on mutual suffering being gradually overpowered by aggressive consumerism led media. As an overall snapshot of the future it was pretty much bang on and our world continues to grow towards the world that the author envisaged. 

So the background of the story is fascinating and relevant. It is so good that the actual story has a massive amount to live up to. It starts off well with the chase for the replicants (android humans) and their evil leader Roy Batty. I know he just doesn't sound like a android monster, he sounds like someone from Coronation Street. The ending from a purely storytelling mode is a bit of a disappointment. I feel the author pulls the is real or fake trick just once to often. Readers always want a full stop, a conclusion, a fundamental change. In this regard this is one of those rare times when the film does it better than the book.

All in all a fascinating insight into our shared scary future. It asks one big question without actually asking it directly namely...What does it mean to be human? As a warning it is amazing. As an adventure sci fi it is pretty good too if slightly flawed. If you like a bit of philosophy with your Sci Fi this is the book for you.

• Selected Quotes...

“Empathy, evidently, existed only within the human community, whereas intelligence to some degree could be found throughout every phylum and order including the arachnida.”

“Maybe there was once a human who looked like you, and somewhere along the line you killed him and took his place. And your superiors don’t know.”

“An android,” he said, “doesn’t care what happens to another android. That’s one of the indications we look for." “Then,” Miss Luft said, “you must be an android.”

“I never felt this way before. We are machines, stamped out like bottle caps. It's an illusion that I - I personally - really exist; I'm just representative of a type.”

“Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the emphatic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated.

• If You Liked This, Then You May Like...

Blind Faith by Ben Elton (Click Here for review)

1984 by George Orwell (Click Here for review)

A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• About The Author

Phillip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American science fiction and short story writer. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments, and altered states. In his later works, Dick's thematic focus strongly reflected his personal interest in metaphysics and theology.

He often drew upon his own life experiences and addressed the nature of drug use, paranoia and schizophrenia, and mystical experiences in novels such as A Scanner Darkly and VALIS. While his interest lay in metaphysical issues, his sympathy always lay with the quiet dignity of the common man facing the difficult challenges of everyday life. (from newworldencyclopedia.org)

Phillip K Dick's writing provided the basis for the films Blade Runner, Total Recall and Minority Report and the TV series The Man In The High Castle.

An Honest Life by J.F. Conroy

 

You can buy "An Honest Life"...Here

You can follow J.F. Conroy...Here

357 Pages

• The Blurb

Ruthless crime lord Declan Hennessy has  only one ambition; to rule Dublin’s northside. Once he is in control of the drug trade, he can take his foot off the pedal and enjoy the empire he has built for his family. ​Incompetent amateur Martin Lynch has charm and no real malice. At heart an honest man, he struggles to provide for his family as a result of bad debts and worse luck. Declan and Martin despise each other but over the past two decades, their families’ lives have become intertwined in unsettling ways. Despite the common traits they share, nothing can resolve the long-standing conflict between them.When two rival gangs enter Declan’s territory, a violent struggle for power ensues; a struggle that both families cannot avoid.  Whilst Declan and Martin will do anything to protect their families, they soon realise that the only thing they need protection from is… themselves. If they cannot find a way to unite, they will lose everything. An Honest Man is a powerful and stirring crime novel with a dark sense of humour that reveals the redemptive power of adversity.

• My Review...

The author has created an unusual yet enticing mix of black humour, tragedy and crime. 

The book really falls into three parts. In the first part we focus on the the lovable loser Martin. He is a Del Boy type of character but with added alcohol issues and we learn a little of Declan's backstory. This section is paced at a relaxing, enjoyable meander rather than a romp. We learn of the episodic comic exploits of Martin. While the tales are enjoyable you struggle to see the relevance of them. This however becomes clear when something unexpected happens in the middle of the book. It will have you gently sobbing into your tea. The author does a great job of breaking your heart and it was at this point I realised that the first part of the book was subtly and subconsciously drawing you in to investing in the characters, before punching you in the face. It was a Mr Miaggi moment, when I realised the wax on, wax off of the first half the book was sneakily developing you for what was to come. 

Throughout the book there is a strong sense of community and friendship but tempered by hardship. Its a very working class sense of community. It reminded me of the sense of innocence and hardship in the film "Belfast." and indeed my own childhood growing up in the Welsh valleys. 

The wives of the two protagonists are friends as are their adolescent sons. These friendships are not without their challenges as the fathers issues with each have a detrimental effect. The last part of the book deals with the gangland war and focuses more on Declan, the vicious gang-lord, and the redemption of both men. This part was more straightforward.

Some call it banter, some call it taking the piss, here it is called giving out and it is brilliantly done. The humour is as thick and black yet there is a sprinkling of thought provoking home truths that help cut through the bravado.

An unusually plotted crime novel, with a rich vein of black humour. Makes you laugh, makes you cry. All you could want from a Irish tale. Chapaeu Mr J.F. Conroy

• Selected Quotes

"Now what's with this drinking all the time? You don't see me at breakfast with a can of lager with my toast do you?

    I don't see you at breakfast at all Da - you're always sleeping off the drink from the night before"

"Love comes and goes, but jealousy is bred on the bone."

"It takes years to get to this size.

Is it a gland problem ye have?

No it's a repetitive knife and fork problem."

"What are your plans over the Easter holidays?

Shrugging his shoulders, Martin raised then dropped his hands to his sides in surrender.  'The same as Jesus' he quipped 'disappear on Friday, turn back up on Monday"

• If You Liked This, You May Like...

Struggled with this because I haven't come across many books like this 

best I could do...

A Man With One Of Those Faces by Ciamh McDonnell

Ways To Die In Glasgow by Jay Stringer

• About the Author

If you have already read An Honest Life, you are probably thinking, ‘That’s a fine story told by a good solid Irish writer’...Well, the truth is, I am about as Irish as a Caribbean coconut… ok, let me take that back a notch. This story starts from humble beginnings rather much like my own. My mother and father moved over from Ireland to the UK and met around 1970. They married and had three children that grew up at 22 Holmewood Road, Brixton Hill, LONDON. If you tap this address into Google Earth, you will get a feel for the surroundings from chapter one. I grew up amongst the Irish community attending céilithe and festivals and absorbed in the characteristics of the Irish charm. So, rather much like an onion soaked in vinegar, you could say that I am a pickled Irishman… yes, I like that statement. I am a pickled Irishman.

Love You Gone by Louise Mullins

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

You can buy "Love You Gone"...Here

You can find out more about Louise Mullins...Here

Louise Mullins is heavily involved with indie publisher "Dark Edge Press"         

 which you can find...Here

252 pages

NB "Love You Gone" has previously been published as "The Woman In The Woods"

• The Blurb...

Reporter, Rachel Harper, begins to investigate the disappearance of a local student. In the hope of redeeming her career, she is determined to find out what happened to Gemma. But beneath the surface of her professional life lies a secret she is too ashamed to confront.

When Gemma's body is discovered in Leigh Woods, Rachel becomes obsessed with finding her killer. But as the list of suspects mount it is clear that someone is following her every lead.

Can Rachel discover what happened on that cold winter night before her own demons catch up with her?

• My Review...

After reading this novel it's seems that Louise Mullins title as the Queen of Domestic Noir is well earned. This is a twisty tale of marital infidelity, middle-class alcoholism and retail addiction and last but not least murder. All this could be be happening in your street. Strong but flawed female characters abound throughout this book

The tale is told from three viewpoints and two timelines, which if you're not careful, can lead to confusion. So make sure you check the headings at the start of each chapter which give the characters' name and date.

The three main character's are Gemma a young student who has recently lost her mother, Lee a teacher who is an ex- alcoholic but has now traded his old addiction for a new one and Rachel who is a barely functioning journalist and heavy drinker. There is a murder early on  and we subsequently bounce around different viewpoints trying to ascertain the killer. As we head to the denouement  the pace quickens and the last few chapters were a blur of rapid page turning, which is always a good sign.

There were some interesting points in the narrative. There is a serial womaniser/cheater yet he isn't a horrible character. As if society (or the author) isn't passing judgement on him. I don't think I have seen this very often. I suppose in most novels it is frowned upon even if infidelity is technically legal. 

Interspersed throughout are press reports written by Rachel (a clever embellishment by the author.)  The last one in the book ties up all the loose ends (again a clever idea.) However it didn't quite ring true as a newspaper report, it seemed more akin to an epilogue. I couldn't work out for a while, why that was. Eventually after reading a paper it cam to me. The author uses first names in the report, while the paper I read used last names or full names. Such a small thing, but slightly alters the feel. 

Everybody's life in this book is cocked up, it's just some can wing it a bit more than others. These are all broken people, to a more or lesser degree and as such are true to life. Everyone in this book is using some sort of crutch to get by day to day, whether its alcohol, sex, shopping, drugs or just being close to another person. I suppose at the end of the day we are all dependant on someone or something.

Enjoyable read. Does what it says. Twisty domestic noir.

• Selected Quotes...

"306,000 people, including children, were reported missing in the UK, which is an average of 838 per day. Thirty- six percent of those are adults and eighty- nine percent of missing people are found or return home within forty- eight hours."

"she will always have work and money. And she needs money. Her drinking career depends on it."

"Little snippets of their conversation the night before beg to be set free from her still murky brain."

"His parents willing participants in the ultimate crime: denial."

"When her mum had grown weaker and her face took on the pale sickness that she remembered her nan wore before she passed away, Gemma tried to pretend she could not see death rearing its ugly head and coaxing her mum towards its grip." 

• If You Liked This, You May Like...

Crimson Snow by Jason R Vowles (Click Here for our review)

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Snow by John Banville

• About The Author...

Dubbed the Queen of Domestic Noir, Louise Mullins' titles often delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche where more often than not somebody a little close to home knows more than they're willing to admit. All her novels aim to bring light to social issues, and so far she's covered the following subjects: addiction, suicide, grief, psychopathology, child abuse, serial killers, missing persons, rape, kidnapping, murder, domestic violence, cults, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and arms dealing.

Louise Mullins writes full-time using the experience she gained in a prior life working in the field of forensic mental health, working with offenders and survivors of serious crimes.

​

She lives in Bristol, England, with her husband and three children.

Count To Three by T.R. Ragan

 

⭐⭐⭐

You can buy Count to Three...Here

You can follow T.R.Ragan...Here

NB This review is by...Owen Powell 

• The Blurb...

For a private investigator on the trail of a missing girl, every second counts in a gripping thriller by New York Times bestselling author T.R. Ragan.

On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace…

Five agonizing years later, her divorced mother, Dani Callahan, is a private investigator. She and Quinn Sullivan, a promising young assistant determined to prove herself, are devoted to helping others find missing loved ones. And for Dani, finding Tinsley is still a never-ending obsession.

Their newest case is Ali Cross, a teenager who vanished off a Sacramento street while walking home. A troubled boy’s eyewitness testimony to Ali’s abduction provides their only clues. And as their search for Ali gets underway, new information about Tinsley’s disappearance begins to surface too.

As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger. Time is running out, and the hunt is only getting grimmer.

• My Review

Count to Three is very much your standard crime thriller, and if you enjoy those kind of books, you’ll probably enjoy this one too. The story, whilst somewhat basic, remained entertaining, intriguing and engaging throughout. The chapters are relatively short, each of them focusing on a different character’s perspective. We experience how the protagonists, the abducted child and the antagonist all view the current situation they find themselves in. This was a refreshing change of pace from the usual method of focusing on one character throughout. I also noticed that this story can be quite dialogue-heavy, sometimes making it more akin to a script than a book, which is not necessarily a bad thing depending on your tastes. The characters for the most part are thoughtful and fleshed out, each presenting clear motives for their actions. There are also a few heart-to-hearts between them which proved to be some of the more uplifting moments of the book. In contrast of this, the more disturbing aspects of this story appear towards the end, and they are honestly just not very nice at all. I don’t think of myself as a squeamish person, but there were certain moments that succeeded in making my skin crawl. 

There are some aspects of this story that I didn’t quite believe or thought could be improved upon in some ways. Without giving too much away, in this book there is a twelve year old witness of a crime. Let’s just say this boy is way more articulate than I was when I was twelve. If I’m not mistaken it’s also mentioned in this book that this kid is less socially developed than his peers, which makes me wonder how intelligent those peers must be. I also found the protagonists to treat the kid as somewhat of a third PI rather than an actual child. They invite him to question relatives, and even allow him to participate in a stakeout. I didn’t find these parts to be wholly believable, but what do I know? I’m a student, not a PI. Maybe that’s how they do it. I also believed that the antagonist could have been developed a little bit more. We are told briefly about his backstory, which is another disturbing aspect of this book, but I think it could’ve been explored a bit further to fully explain his actions, rather than a bad thing happened and now they’re a bad person. However, these criticisms do not really distract from the overarching story unless you let them. At its core, Count to Three is a fast paced page-turner that’ll keep you searching for answers throughout. 

• Selected Quotes

“It was still, after all this time, impossible to make sense of what had happened. Dani’s world had truly been turned upside down, her hopes and dreams broken, tossed away, destroyed.”

“They both had their own inner pain to deal with, but having each other made the world a brighter, better place.” 

“And she was glad for it because feeling angry was so much better than feeling pain.”

• If You Liked This, You May Like...

Little Lamb by Tom Franks (Click Here for Grumpy Old Books review)

Dead Man's Grave by Neil Lancaster

Six Days,Six Hours and Six Minutes by Alex Smith

• About the Author...

T.R. Ragan (Theresa Ragan) is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her exciting Lizzy Gardner series: Abducted, Dead Weight, A Dark Mind, Obsessed, Almost Dead, and Evil Never Dies, has received tremendous praise. In August 2015 Evil Never Dies hit #7 on the Wall Street Journal Bestselling List. Since publishing in 2011, she has sold over three million books and has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, the L.A. Times, PC Magazine, Huffington Post, and Publishers Weekly.

Theresa grew up in a family of five girls in Lafayette, California. An avid traveler, her wanderings have carried her to Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, China, Thailand, and Nepal, where she narrowly survived being chased by a killer elephant. Before devoting herself to writing fiction, she worked as a legal secretary for a large corporation. Theresa and her husband Joe have four children and live in Sacramento, California. (from theresaragan.com)