Philip K. Dick is a science fiction author whose work has been frequently adapted to the big and small screen. You may not have heard of him, but it’s likely that you’ve heard of or seen at least one of these adaptations. Blade Runner, Minority Report, The Adjustment Bureau, and Total Recall are just a few films based on Dick’s novels or short stories. I got into reading Dick’s works when I was in my early twenties. In fact, one of his short story collections, The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford, was the first thing I ever ordered on Amazon.
His work is often ironic, and ranges from the alternate history of Man in a High Castle to the highly speculative Ubik. Often, there is some commentary on humanity or warning about advanced technology.
This year has been a big one for Philip K. Dick adaptations. The critically acclaimed Man in a High Castle, Season 2 streamed on Amazon and now season 3 is in production. This alternate history explores a world where the allies lost WWII, resulting in the U.S. being controlled by Japan and Nazi Germany. Also out this year was Blade Runner 2049. The original Blade Runner was based on Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Most recently announced is the new Amazon Prime series called Electric Dreams. This series includes ten episodes, each based on a different short story. The cast will star Steve Buscemi, Richard Madden, and Anna Paquin, to name a few.
Check Fondulac District Library’s collection of Philip K. Dick’s novels, novellas, and short stories here.
Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
About #FDL
Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.