The Philip K. Dick Collection: A Library of America Boxed Set

Great collection in a great package for a great price! All first rate literature and essential science fiction!While all of the novel selections are top notch, they are not necessarily my choices. I do understand the logistical problem of deciding what to include in the space afforded, but there are four uncompromisable issues to mention. First and foremost, while the 3 book "Valis" sequence is included (and rightfully so), I personally find the original novel, "Radio Free Albemuth", of which "Valis" was re-worked into, is perhaps Philip K. Dick's finest work. BUY "RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH"! Secondly, Dick was a supremely prolific author, and none of his non-science fiction works are represented, which is a shame considering how truly affecting they are ("Confessions of a Crap Artist", for instance). Third, a volume of choice short stories ("Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick") would have been essential for a well rounded collection. Lastly, "The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick: Selected Literary and Philosophical Writings" is an excellent compilation of essays, speeches, etc. brings into context the themes and ideas from his writing into real world. And for the record, if I were the publisher working with the budget to only present the given number of pages, to accommodate my issues, I would substitute the novels "Martian Time-Slip", "Dr. Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb", and "A Maze of Death".Seriously though, don't let my fan-rant prevent you from buying this set. It is a great set. Cheap, durable, compact. Once you have finished it, and whet your appetite for more Dick, branch out with the suggestions above!

I'm a big fan of PKD and have been for a long time, however I've had a hard time finding his books in a format other than used books or overpriced reprints. I'd been looking at this collection for a long time and, after agonizing over it for a year or two, decided to bite the bullet and buy it. Boy am I glad I did.The collection is made up of three beautifully bound hardcover books that look great with our without the dust jacket all encased in a nice slip case. The books are just the right size and weight to be comfortable held in one hand and read, which is something that doesn't quite come across in the pictures you see here. The collection doesn't have any of PKD's short stories which is a shame, but that just means I get the opportunity to buy a collection of my choosing. Library of America did a good job collecting some of the best PKD novels and putting them into a great collection. If, like me, you're a fan of PKD and want a nice collection that has just about everything one could want, get this collection!

I love P.K. Dick. When i was much younger I had a copy of "Androids" handed too me and I fell in love. Dick was writing cyberpunk before Neuromancer was a gleam in anyone's eyes. His mixture of science fiction and trancendentialism allows him to create stories where charachters truely morph and grow (or not... Decker) and become something that is bigger than the words that tell their story. There is no wonder at all that Dick has inspired more movies than any other sci-fi author.These particular volumes are the perfect addition to a library. They really contain the main portions of Dick's work. Perfectly chosen to span his career. You not only get the early works that make for good movies such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, the middle paranoid writings finishing in A Scanner Darkley into the late trancendential novels with my personal favorite, The Transmigration of Timothy Archer. Not only are each of the individual works fantastic but the collection lets you get a great overview of the author's life work.The volumes themselves are on a light, almost bible like paper that feels fantastic when turning pages. A very solid hardbound book with a ribbon bookmark. High quality and well done without being overdone. I plan on getting several of my other favorite american authors in this series's collection to have on hand.

Classics!