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Final thoughts after reading?

Finished the book today. It's my second reading of the novel, but the first time was over ten years ago. It starts off like a typical Dick novel - straight into the action with lots going on, and a full cast of characters. I felt that it got stronger as it progressed, as certain plot lines and characters were ditched. Eric Sweetscent was another in the line of Dick's 'everyman' lead characters, but he was a sympathatic character for this reader. Lots of other familiar territory covered - bad marriage, drug abuse, time travel, etc. Although it was a bit confusing at times, I thought it held together well. For a book heavy on dialogue the final chapter showcased some of Dick's better prose writing. Not in the same league as Ubik or Palmer Eldritch, but definately one of his better works from the 60s in my opinion.

I thought this was in the same league as Palmer Elderitch and i enjoyed it more. I have already forgot much of that book because of the weak characters. Now Wait for Last Year is my fav PKD so far with The Man in the High Castle. Havent read Ubik yet.

I enjoyed the lead character, the emotional weight, the time travel, the bad marriage. I read this 4-5 years ago.

I just finished this morning. An impressive PKD story. I enjoyed the time travel and parallel universes a ton, and can't believe he was writing this in the 60's. I hope Fringe sent his estate some royalties.

Ubik and Palmer are still top honors for me, but this one is possibly in my top 5 for him, definitely top 10.

I would like to see an infographic or something that illustrates all the time travel and universes. Interesting too how the ending came back to the personal life of Sweetscent and not the war. Is it clear where the antidote came from? The Reegs or Hazeltine?

Alex wrote: "I would like to see an infographic or something that illustrates all the time travel and universes. Interesting too how the ending came back to the personal life of Sweetscent and not the war. Is it clear where the antidote came from? The Reegs or Hazeltine?"

Yes, the last third of this was just great. I think Sweetscent goes through every possible emotion through that period. I agree with Paul, the prose in those last chapters was great. I just love the part where he's in the alleyway in Tijuana and almost ends his life. I also love the clumsy way he tries to save Hearth and himself, which is a very Dickian thing.

The rest of the book wasn't as good so it didn't end up in my Top 5 of his work.

About the antidote, it all depends of what alternate future you're talking about. In the one Sweetscent travels to, where the Reegs and humans are allies, the antidote was invented by the Starmen to defend themselves from the attack.

I didn't dislike it, but it falls towards my least favorites of what I've read. But the worst Dick is still a good one. It almost seemed too typical of a PKD work. I enjoyed seeing the recurring themes, like Paul mentioned: bad marriage, drug abuse, time travel, fast & effortless travel, back n forth between Earth and Mars, and of course the robot/android and simulacra/clone, and also the leader/President being an imposter or clone.

In the end, it was all so familiar for me the read didn't really expand my Dick universe.

Here's a few interview snippets where Dick talks about this book.

I like the part where he talks about Mussolini, very interesting perspective.

I’ve been on a Dick marathon and it’s taking a couple of years since I cannot just read one after the other, requiring breaks with multiple “easy readers�� in between. I thought this book was great, but not among my favorite. So far, about 18 books into this marathon, Dick seems to have 3 different modes: the big idea quickly executed (like Cosmic Puppets or Martian Time Slip), the multiple time line big idea puzzler that pulls together in amazing genius ways often riddled with rich humor (Clans of the Alphane Moon, Dr. Bloodmoney), and more political works that get a little bogged down with names and warring factions (THIS one, Man in the High Castle). Meaning…if you don’t like one PKD, you may find one that really suits you. I appreciated this one a lot. But it didn’t excite me like Three Stigmata or Eye in the Sky. Most have drugs, reality bending situations, precogs, simulacrums and boobs, so sign me up for all of it for now.

Read The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick