Ubik

I first read UBIK nearly thirty years ago, and while I remembered a lot of the plot (including the final reveal), what I didn't remember (or hadn't noticed) is how well constructed the novel was. Dick took great pains to "play fair" and leave enough bread crumbs to figure out what was going on if you paid attention. I was also interested in how "dated" the technological references might seem, since UBIK takes place in a 1996 with a Lunar Colony established (and others implied); there are a few moments in which the tech references show their age, but they don't detract.

In some ways this novel seems to have been a response (or even a commentary) on Kornbluth and Pohl's "The Space Merchants," while also involving some stylistic similarities to Bester's "The Stars My Destination" and Fritz Lieber's short story "Coming Attraction." But that's probably only me; UBIK is a legit, one of a kind original.

The first time that Pat uses her power to change the past with Joe Chip and his boss Runciter.

I don't have seven-hour sittings available, but it did well in big chunks of an hour or so at a time while I was driving.

Luke Daniels' narration is a real plus, and made the character of Al much more central in my listening than he was way back when I read the novel the first time. I thought he also caught the sadistic/playful nuances in the character Pat much better than I would have imagined. But, then, Luke Daniels is one of my favorite narrators.

Was listening to this book on a trip from California and let me tell you it is one of the most nail biting adventures I have ever listen. to Philip K Dick is a master at suspense and deception a must read. Just wait to the ending it's worth the whole ride

This story is classic Philip K Dick. Definitely Philip K Dick at his weirdest. The voice acting in this performance is some of the best I have ever heard. The number of voices and characters in his repertoire is incredible. The wide variety of voices was particularly suitable for this story and it's whimsical, esoteric, and quirky details. This book is worth listening to for the voice acting alone, even though the story is a bit on the odd side.

I read this book 24 years ago as a teenager. I grew up a Philip K Dick fan and truly loved this book. I hadn't read it since until recently, when audible offered it on sale, I thought it would be fun to listen to.

Wow! The narration of Luke Daniels makes this book so much fun to hear performed. Daniels brings the different characters to life with cleverly rendered voices. The book is as playful as it is mind-blowing.

I wish Philip K Dick were still around to hear his own work performed like this. I bet he would have loved it.

I found this book to be boring. Nothing much happens and there is no investment into the characters - in other words, I don't really want to know what happens next, and I don't wish to finish the story; couldn't care less. (sorry)

Probably not any time soon.

Not now.

Believe I've heard him before and he was okay, but this performance really turned me off. The gruff voice just becomes unnerving and I could no longer listen.

hmmm, IDK. Probably not.

This was a daily deal and I couldn't get through it. That seldom happens to me. Can usually choke my way through, looking for morsels of insight, inspiration or entertainment. This book provided nothing for me, I couldn't get past the narration.<br/>

I liked the story, but it was very confusing as to why certain things were happening, and when it ended I thought it was rather abrupt and didn't understand. I used to enjoy sci-fi quite a bit in my younger days, maybe age has dulled my abilities to figure stuff like this out... Anyway, it was entertaining and engaging, but to my ears an old fashioned sci-fi novel. Its primary goal is to make you think, entertainment is just a by- product.

...but this one is so far out that it's almost impossible to find the story.

Ubik makes it onto some lists of recommended sci-fi novels so I was keen to finally read it. I enjoyed the beginning and was looking forward to a good sci-fi yarn. Despite the promising beginning the story just kept getting more and more and then even more convoluted.

Things hadn't cleared up significantly by the end, though I still had high hopes. Unfortunately, I found the ending was as mystifying as it was unsatisfying. I'm not a fan of deep and meaningful endings.

If you love high brow sci-fi you may like this book. Personally, I value a satisfying and engaging story over literary panache. If you are like-minded, you may want to consider giving this book a pass.

Luke Daniels does a fine job narrating, though.

I'm very impressed with both the story and performance. I can't help but notice similar themes in more recent sci-fi movies that may have drawn from this story.