Ubik

Philip K. Dick

1969

November, 2024

6.5/10

The style of the book is a bit too theatrical: such as gathering people together, then explaining to them: "This is why I brought you here, and this person, and this other person... and you, you are here for this reason." Etc. Too many things are explained in a "and this person is a this," followed by an explanation of what this is. I prefer immersive writing where the exposition is not so blatant.

He tends to describe things in too much detail as well. The world is not left to be organic, rather displayed (theatrically). Perhaps I am reminded of Brandon Sanderson, where the focus is more so on entertainment than literary merit. There isn't anything wrong with that, rather it just isn't for me. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story. The writing simply bothered me quite often.

The book was good — not great. It was engaging. I can't say there is much merit to the story, but it was intended to pose the question of what is actually happening, and it does so very well, all the way until the end.