Customer comments on this Youngstown Ohio Book
Painful Read!
I was so excited to get this book, but it really sucked. I tried and tried to get into this book, but it was just painfully boring and nearly impossible to follow. Plus, it just came across as dated! I would not recommend this book to anyone.
Somewhat Disappointed
I suppose (after scanning the numerous five-star reviews posted on this novel) that my review will have to be somewhat against the tide. I didn't dislike this novel, but I wasn't overly impressed either. I guess when I saw that the author was Philip K. Dick, and the subject was the drug-addicted segment of society I expected something different than what the novel actually is. There are little to no science fiction elements to this novel, and although well written, I failed to find it overly entertaining. The novel basically spans a few months in the life of a few drug-addicts. The protagonist being an undercover narcotics agent whose brain becomes so fried he doesn't realize he's narcing on himself. The novel is interesting and mildly amusing at times, but it failed to truly entertain. Honestly, the plot synopsis makes the book sound like it will be more entertaining than it actually is. Many of the reviewers here have compared this book to Orwell's 1984, and in my opinion this novel is nowhere near being in the same league as Orwell's classic. I was definitely expecting something akin to that type of quality, but I just don't see it here. Given his reputation as a writer, I will definitely try another one of Philip K. Dick's books but after reading this one I'm not too hopeful.
Fans of the novel and/or film should add A SCANNER DARKLY's graphic novel to their libraries.
A SCANNER DARKLY's illustrated version of Philip Dick's classic science fiction novel consists entirely of stills from the animated motion picture of the same name, packing into book for a process which uses live action photography and animation. One wouldn't think this movie method would translate well into a book - but it does, providing a brilliant color layout of graphic arts accenting a fast-paced story set in Orange County CA, where the war on drugs has been lost. Fans of the novel and/or film should add A SCANNER DARKLY's graphic novel to their libraries.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
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