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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?


"DADOES" is ostensibly the story of Rick Deckard, a worldly, experienced bounty hunter sent to capture a group of escaped replicants (androids). The future-Earth in which Deckard inhabits is a poisoned, polluted nightmare ("tomb-world" seems to be the author's favorite description). However, this novella exists on far more levels than what we saw in "Blade Runner." The renegade androids have realer emotions than most humanoid characters; Earth's citizens flee to space, while space-born replicants flee to Earth; Deckard slowly loses the ability to judge reality and artificiality (including his own nature). The reader is left with the ultimate philosophical questions: What is the nature of reality? What does it mean to be human? Dick sheds no light on the answers, but he does provoke much thought.
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The review of this Book prepared by M Gandy




Altho' this 1968 book inspired the classic film 'Blade Runner', the original but deeply flawed book is far less competent. The dystopian vision of a post-nuclear holocaust earth, emptied of most of the healthy folks as they have migrated to Mars, is a familiar theme. The inspiration is the introduction of the Frankenstein theme - androids, virtual physical replicas of humans, are the new slave class. The question is 'if God created man in His image, what happens when man creates in his sub-image?'. The bitter and disillusioned tone of the whole book fails to integrate and cope with the many inventive themes and sub-plots introduced, such as fake religion and false hope of the 'mood organ', an instant brain-fix machine. Amongst the disjointed proceedings are found many good things, some good invented words such as 'chickenhead' and 'kipple'. There is an all-time laughable failure too: 'disemevelevatored' (left the elevator). Still I enjoyed his casual Latinisms ('sub specie aeternitatis'), and the brooding evocation of urban decay, which translated well in the film.
The review of this Book prepared by Michael JR Jose




Although it inspired the film "Blade Runner," this book has little in common with that movie beyond the hero's name and job as a bounty hunter searching for escaped androids. Dick includes thoughtful environmental themes (most animal species are extinct or endangered, so it is every citizen's duty to care for an animal, and if that's too expensive they cheat with fake ones -- hence, the hero's electric sheep); drug- and television-induced mood setting and reversal; and a "religious channel" starring a Sisyphean figure called Wilbur Mercer (whom the hero ends up meeting in person). The book remains a gripping future noir, but with fascinating details the movie did not choose to include.
The review of this Book prepared by David Loftus




Rick Deckard is your routine android bounty hunter. But when he's sent out to hunt down some more androids that include some cute female ones, he starts to have second thoughts, especially when he finds himself attracted to one of them. Most of the story focuses on his struggle both with the androids and with his feelings about killing them.
The review of this Book prepared by Steve



Chapter Analysis of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 10%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 60%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 20% Tone of book    -   depressing/sad FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Inner Struggle    -   Yes Plotlet:    -   search for identity/new understanding    -   change of heart Story involving clones/duplicates?    -   bad clones/duplicates Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Clones    -   Yes

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   bounty hunter Age:    -   20's-30's

Setting

Earth setting:    -   near future (later in 21st century) Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only How much dialogue?    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Philip K. Dick Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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