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Ubik
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
"From the stuff of space opera, Dick spins a deeply unsettling existential horror story, a nightmare you'll never be sure you've woken up from."--Lev Grossman, "Time" Glen Runciter runs a lucrative business--deploying his teams of anti-psychics to corporate clients who want privacy and security from psychic spies. But when he and his top team are ambushed by a rival, he is gravely injured and placed in "half-life," a dreamlike state of suspended animation. Soon, though, the surviving members of the team begin experiencing some strange phenomena, such as Runciter's face appearing on coins and the world seeming to move backward in time. As consumables deteriorate and technology gets ever more primitive, the group needs to find out what is causing the shifts and what a mysterious product called Ubik has to do with it all. "More brilliant than similar experiments conducted by Pynchon or DeLillo."--Roberto Bolano PHILIP K. DICK (1928-1982) wrote 121 short stories and 45 novels and is considered one of the most visionary authors of the twentieth century. His work is included in the Library of America and has been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Eleven works have been adapted to film, including "Blade Runner" (based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"), "Total Recall," "Minority Report," and "A Scanner Darkly."
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homosapienbert
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Finishing ‘Ubik‘ now means I‘m 6 Dicks deep in my Phillip K Dick frenzy— a whole Dick-fest. I cannot recommend this one enough. It was, like all Dicks, infectious, mind-bending, and scarily resemblant of where we are now and where we are headed. Will be taking a Dick detour to read ‘Project Hail Mary‘ (recommended by a friend months ago) before the journey for more Dick continues. Until then, read ‘Ubik‘! (Safe when taken as directed).

5 likes1 stack add
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RamsFan1963
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

10/150 Reading PKD is like taking a hallucinogenic drug straight to the brain, everything is a little off kilter, most of it makes little sense, but it's still enjoyable. The plot is too convoluted to explain, it's the authors usual mindf**kery about reality, life, the afterlife and what makes us human.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
4th book finished for #JoyousJanuary @Andrew65

Bookwomble "Ubik ... Safe when taken as directed." Though I'm not sure reading PKD is ever quite safe! ? 2y
TrishB He suited my mood as a teenager, when everything feels a bit off kilter. Not read any since. 2y
Ruthiella I remember fondly the insane outfits characters wore in this book. Tutus, pinwheel hats, tweed togas… 2y
Andrew65 There‘s a blast from the past, well done 👏👏👏 2y
DogMomIrene PDK was a master of the mindf**kery! 2y
65 likes5 comments
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RamsFan1963
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Friends, this is clean-up time and we're discounting all our silent, electric Ubiks by this much money.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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gerry_mander
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

Another rollercoaster ride through morals and ethics in twisting reality that stirs the imagination few can reach. The concepts and ideas that Dick constructs are consistently amazing. Has he foreseen the coming of the microtransaction here?

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LostInSpace
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

Just finished this whilst my daughter is in her dance class.

Enjoyed it immensely!

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OriginalCyn620
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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#IfYouLikeThis

I love #Inception (though it took several viewings to really understand it 😂) and I‘ve never read this book, but it sounds similar.

Klou This is a popular choice for this one so far. You're right, it does! 4y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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EadieB
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Klou Sounds very good!! 4y
EadieB @Klou Philip K. Dick‘s 1969 novel Ubik did not win any of the major
science fiction awards, but it was selected by Time magazine
as one of the 100 best novels in the English language
published between 1923 and 2005.
4y
Ruthiella I just read Ubik a couple of weeks ago. It was trippy!😦 4y
Klou @EadieB wow, that's some achievement!!+ 4y
38 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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BreakingRad1977
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

I read that Ubik was a good place to start for reading anything by PKD. It took a little while for me to get into it, as it was quite strange. But once I did, it seemed to flow quite smoothly and I was able to keep up with the story. Looking forward to reading many more of his titles, I've heard it only gets stranger in the world of PKD.

Mistermandolin Yep; it gets weirder. He gets better as a writer too but UBIK is a great place to start. Excellent pick! 4y
8 likes1 comment
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TechPreacher
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

PKD at his best. Refreshingly weird from start to end in a could-have-been-future where even doors ask for money before they open.

Leftcoastzen Welcome to Litsy!📚📚 5y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 5y
Mistermandolin He had few peers. 4y
Mistermandolin By ‘peers‘ I mean peers who could match him. That remains the case. Great, great writer. 4y
1 like4 comments
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Oblomov26
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

What is Ubik? That is the question in this very strange book. Oh and also what is Half Life and how is it different from death, how do you control people with psychic powers, what happened on Mars and why is reality deteriorating and also what is reality. Yes is very Phillip K Dick and I ended it as confused in as many ways as I was at the start of it. In some ways it reminded me of O'Brien‘s Third Policeman in others it is its own strange beast

Oblomov26 And now I am tempted to get a UBIK spray can tattoo with the motto “Safe when used as directed” 5y
Laura317 It was a strange book, for sure. I quite liked it. 5y
Oblomov26 @Laura317 I enjoyed it a lot but still processing it 5y
66 likes1 stack add3 comments
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julesG
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Bookwomble Safe, when taken as directed... 😁 5y
dystopianaut my favorite! 🖤 5y
Buechersuechtling That reminds me that I want to read one of his novels like for ages. Until today nothing even near reading one of his novels happened. 😟 5y
80 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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ZacPaup
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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julesG
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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My kids wanted me to open my #SantaThing envelopes.

I'll find out who my secret Santa was tomorrow morning, for now let me just say: Thank you! Two books from my wishlist and this third, the tagged book, is a very very interesting surprise!

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Meaw_catlady
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

Ubik. Safe when taken as directed.
Lucy and I loved this book! So strange my brain hurt! But so intriguing and full of imagination! Truly the science fiction treat of 1969 😂 I love that the future was 1992 the year I was born. I am excited to read more form Philip K Dick. I found this great copy in the free bin at second and Charles. The cover is fantastic!

Trashcanman Have you read the tagged book by Walter Tevis? It's a gem. 6y
Meaw_catlady @Trashcanman I haven‘t! Added to my TBR! 6y
Avanders So fun!! I can't wait to read it.. my mil is taking me shopping at a bookstore for Christmas... I suspect this will be a soon-addition 😁 6y
TheNeverendingTBR Nice!! 😎 6y
31 likes4 comments
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Ethands
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

This book is full of great twisting surprises. One of my new favorites by PKD. A bit of suspense, a bit of mystery, a weird ride that has some great head games of what's real and what it means to be alive.
Interesting concepts, introspective characters, well worth it. 8.5/10

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IamIamIam
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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I was hoping to get back into this for #LitsyAtoZ, but I had to rethink sci fi in 2 different realms at once. Usually I keep my genes separate when I'm being a #bookwhore, but this may be too much sci fi at once. I'll wait until I'm done with #TheLunarChronicles to start this. How about that cover, though?? Hubba hubba! (Am I allowed to say that? 😳)

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes, you are. It is a great cover! 6y
30 likes2 comments
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Sweettartlaura
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Mehso-so

Ugh 😑 - this may be a case of me choosing the wrong medium. I may have to go back and read this, not just listen to it.
I was enjoying the narration. I felt like there was more humor in it than I would have injected myself. But at some point around 30% in, I lost that. The next 10% then became painful. And I have 300 other books to read/listen to. So I‘m moving on, with a note to find time to read at least the first couple chapters someday.

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Sweettartlaura
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Starting this one as I clean a little.

Bookwomble Ubik is fantastic 😊 6y
38 likes1 comment
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Meaw_catlady
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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I chose my weirdest book cover for the #2kgiveaway
Have yet to read this book! I found on a freebie pile at 2nd and Charles. But the cover is what drew me to it!
Congrats of 2k wife you‘re the best!

Erinsuereads I forgot you had this!! It‘s a gem. 6y
Jess7 Welcome!! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!!! 6y
Theshadedbuffalo Welcome to Litsy!! ⭐️📚 6y
Wife Welcome to Litsy!🌹 6y
17 likes1 stack add5 comments
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laurenlovesliterature
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Goodwill finds.❤📚

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Kres
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Started this new “journey” just this morning (any book is a unique journey) and I‘m already so SO into it

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Laura317
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

I have no idea what the crap I just read, but man, was it ever trippy! I have a feeling I will be thinking about this book for quite some time. Luckily,I can sit and stare at our tree while I digest this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mollyanna Beautiful tree! I adore the elf leg 😂 7y
jbhops That elf leg is everything! 7y
Laura317 @Mollyanna @jbhops Thanks! There are actually two elf legs, but the angle is off. 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Beautiful 🎄! 7y
53 likes5 comments
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Laura317
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Guys, I am so confused reading this book! It is trippy and weird. It feels like a cross between Doctor Who and Twilight Zone. #mindblown

LauraJ I like your graphic 7y
TrishB That‘s basically most of his books 😁 7y
SilversReviews Love your Bitmoji!! I hope it gets better. I have never read this author. 7y
Laura317 @LauraJ @TrishB @Silversreview Thanks! It‘s a strange book, but I kinda want to know what‘s going on Guess I‘ll continue it. 7y
50 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Laura317
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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I love when I‘m reading one book and my audio book makes an appearance! #isitlikeahobbit

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Laura317
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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This is one weird book.

42 likes1 stack add
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bookworm.krizia
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Mehso-so

My first Philip K. Dick and hopefully not my last. This was really exciting but not really satisfying. Is there an Ubik part 2 because I want to read more about Joe Chip! It was funny, action packed and philosophical. I love it!

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misslupescu
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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New book time.
This came as blind date with a book. So hey, lets hope it‘s a good book date

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2BR02B
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Dang. Love this book cover and the dolman shirt style. Don't love that they decided to print light grey onto heather grey. 🤔 @outofprint if I ask real nice, would you offer this in black or burgundy or navy? Or even charcoal? Pretty please. 😇

MinDea Are you a designer? My boyfriend is a web designer and I feel like this is exactly something be would say! 😄 7y
2BR02B @MinDea It's not currently my field, but I went to school for graphic design. 😅 That's uncanny! 7y
20 likes2 comments
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stokerino
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

There is a lot of Weird Shit in this book...even by PKD's standard! I did like it, though. It felt like a complete story whereas, e.g., The Man In The High Castle, was all very loosely and unsatisifyingly connected (albeit in a fascinating world). Most other PKD books I've read have strangely flat, anti-climactic endings...but this did pretty much the opposite by literally the last two pages pulling out a "LOL, SWERVE!". I had to laugh out loud.

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callunakeep
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Bailedbailed

Bailed. I really WANTED to love this book but three chapters in I just couldn't stand it anymore!! On paper I should totally love this book...maybe it was just the narration, perhaps I should try the physical version.

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Fernoppy
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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So I went to book group this afternoon- The Wine and Ugg Boots book group - with three books. Two to return and one to loan. But came home with four books. Not helpful to my TBR situation. Thanks @Victoria_Clyne. 😝

Victoria_Clyne Anytime. I still have a box of books to get rid of. Wait I mean share. 7y
6 likes1 comment
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LuluReads
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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So...hello, Litsy people! 👋🏼I am new to this. I hope to find new books to read, as reading is a passion! Here is what I am reading currently.

DGRachel Welcome! 8y
Zelma Welcome to a great community! 👍 8y
LuluReads @DGRachel @Zelma Thanks! I have been exploring a bit. It's pretty fun so far! 😀 8y
4 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LusMat
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

A plot that is near to mental madness. The struggle for life, the meaning of existence are the real themes of this book. The science-fiction genre is only the shortest long way for the transmission of this research of meaning. To read!

11 likes2 stack adds
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scottmerilatt
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Pickpick

Quite the mind bender. Inception well before Inception. A dark and prescient eye to the future of privatization and corporate power. Part who-dun-it, part where-am-I. Un-film able. Basically everything you'd expect from one of the true masters of science fiction.

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BooksFootballBeer
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Mehso-so

I really enjoyed the narrator on the audiobook, and thought it was fun to read a futuristic book about a time that is no ikon get the future.

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BooksFootballBeer
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
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Both the book and the kitty make folding laundry more enjoyable! 😻

2 likes1 stack add
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that_danny_mac
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

One of the best sci-fi novels I have ever read. At times both chilling and darkly funny. Certainly my favorite Of Philip K Dicks work.

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Justint7
Ubik | Philip K. Dick
Pickpick

No one can beat PKD for inventive storylines involving alternate / possible realities. Haven't read the whole library of his stuff, but this is my favorite so far.