There’s a playful sense of imagination to this otherwise dystopian SF story. A hammer? Hmmm, let’s make that a flying robot that shoots lasers and hits people on the head. Pencil? That’ll be a laser beam generator. Length of string? We’ll pretend that’s a rope, and tie some action figures to it. I remember when I was a kid, I could have fun with most anything. 1960, fairly early on, so not much drug use or theological ravings, but still a fun trip with Phil. PKD themes check list: paranoia, autocracy, dehumanization, mental illness, and rage against the machine. All the same, this is Dick writing and there is plenty of time for some introspective philosophy and social commentary. This is a dystopian world following a nuclear war, and a bureaucracy runs the world, being aided by a super computer, but who is really running things? The interventions of a rebel force make things more interesting, and PKD throws in some fun twists. There are some concessions made to a wider audience, but the structure and tone are pure PKD. Not one of his best, but definitely not bad either. Well, bills have to be paid and books need to be published to be read. Released by pulp generator Ace Books, I could not help wandering how a phone conversation between Dick and his editor went “we could use more action, laser beams and robots, the kids LOVE laser beams and robots”. Dick was published in 1960 and is one of his more action packed offerings.

Vulcan'ın Çekici by Philip K. Dick