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warped_star's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably one of my favorite books. It was incredibly entertaining and even funny at times, but also dove into true mania behind addiction.
The split personas in the story are really interesting and add that sci-fi flare we love PKD for, but the setting wasn’t too heavy on the tech. The story allowed the tech to just be subtle enough to allow the reader a very relatable near future environment. I also felt he did an excellent job at describing the desolate, hot, and dusty amber look of Los Angeles.
The book is incredibly sad though. Although it is fiction, it is loosely based off of real experiences. Anyone who has suffered drug addiction would relate to this story deeply. Everything from the mania, to the feinding, to the mobbing, to the depressing over usage in one single persons apartment every time. It is so realistic, but adds a level of mystery as well.
It’s a fucked up, drug-driven, cat and mouse game of who-done-it… but instead of murder it’s trying to figure out who smeared shit on ur car engine? Who destroyed your weird visual comtraption? Who was I yesterday? And who am I today?
Last thing I’ll say, I cried heavily at the end and remembered all my loved ones lost to abuse. There’s a list of all his loved ones at the end, and I added my own. Very cathartic, but incredibly depressing.
The split personas in the story are really interesting and add that sci-fi flare we love PKD for, but the setting wasn’t too heavy on the tech. The story allowed the tech to just be subtle enough to allow the reader a very relatable near future environment. I also felt he did an excellent job at describing the desolate, hot, and dusty amber look of Los Angeles.
The book is incredibly sad though. Although it is fiction, it is loosely based off of real experiences. Anyone who has suffered drug addiction would relate to this story deeply. Everything from the mania, to the feinding, to the mobbing, to the depressing over usage in one single persons apartment every time. It is so realistic, but adds a level of mystery as well.
It’s a fucked up, drug-driven, cat and mouse game of who-done-it… but instead of murder it’s trying to figure out who smeared shit on ur car engine? Who destroyed your weird visual comtraption? Who was I yesterday? And who am I today?
Last thing I’ll say, I cried heavily at the end and remembered all my loved ones lost to abuse. There’s a list of all his loved ones at the end, and I added my own. Very cathartic, but incredibly depressing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
fadedfortune's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
happyharlequin319's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can understand why this book could be triggering to some people, but as a person who’s also struggled with addiction, I really resonated with the way that PKD portrayed what it’s like. It’s completely brutal and honest about both the ups and the downs of addiction and the ultimate cost for so many. While I didn’t necessarily agree with every single point that PKD tried to make, I could understand where he was coming from, which made this book really thought-provoking for me. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a dark read set in a not too distant future (which is actually the past at this point). I’m a little torn on recommending this book for people who are/have been addicts in general. Just please be aware of where you’re at in life and know that this book could potentially be really triggering if you’re still struggling. That being said, it really helped me understand more about what I went through and helped me feel not so alone. So take with that what you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Gun violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
brandocalrissian83's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ll be honest the first quarter of this book was iffy for me. It was chaotic and focused heavily on the drug aspect of the story. However, give it some time and something very quiet and subtle starts to grow and bloom. A Scanner Darkly explores the dark and twisted underbelly of drug use and addiction, the lengths we go to keep this industry alive , and how we both use and abuse those afflicted with substance abuse disorder. Dick expertly pairs a future world that feels both vague and familiar with flawed characters that capture our attention and at times heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Suicide
neonskylite's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
this book has an amazing sense for stoners shooting the shit which is probably from Dick's lived experience. has what has to be the most heartbreaking afterword
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
attackrat's review against another edition
I have no patience anymore for authors who write misogynistic shit. I’ll watch the movie to get the premise, but I will not spend any more time on something ignorant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
funfamilyvideos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault
ford_defect's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Excrement, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
tomasalbanez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Esse livro é uma loucura. Uma crítica à guerra às drogas do ponto de vista dos anos 60/70.
Do mesmo jeito que o Kafka te faz sentir a morosidade e o tédio mortal em "O Processo", Philip K. Dick te faz sentir a perda da sanidade pela escrita desnorteada e serpenteante enquanto você acompanha o personagem principal em sua espiral rumo à insanidade. Quase não terminei o livro por causa disso e porque todas as mulheres são tratadas como um par de seios ambulantes (a única com mais personalidade é o cúmulo da Manic Pixie Dream Girl).
Isso tudo se torna retroativamente muito mais interessante quando você lê a nota do autor e as entrevistas no final do livro que falam sobre a experiência dele com as drogas e suas pesquisas na psiquiatria, além de definir essa obra como "Um romance que trata de algumas pessoas que foram punidas demais pelo que fizeram", não vendo pessoas viciadas como vítimas da guerra contra as drogas, mas como "crianças que queriam se divertir, brincando na rua e testemunharam as crianças ao seu redor sendo mortas, mas ainda assim continuaram brincando".
Não esperem um final feliz.
Do mesmo jeito que o Kafka te faz sentir a morosidade e o tédio mortal em "O Processo", Philip K. Dick te faz sentir a perda da sanidade pela escrita desnorteada e serpenteante enquanto você acompanha o personagem principal em sua espiral rumo à insanidade. Quase não terminei o livro por causa disso e porque todas as mulheres são tratadas como um par de seios ambulantes (a única com mais personalidade é o cúmulo da Manic Pixie Dream Girl).
Isso tudo se torna retroativamente muito mais interessante quando você lê a nota do autor e as entrevistas no final do livro que falam sobre a experiência dele com as drogas e suas pesquisas na psiquiatria, além de definir essa obra como "Um romance que trata de algumas pessoas que foram punidas demais pelo que fizeram", não vendo pessoas viciadas como vítimas da guerra contra as drogas, mas como "crianças que queriam se divertir, brincando na rua e testemunharam as crianças ao seu redor sendo mortas, mas ainda assim continuaram brincando".
Não esperem um final feliz.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Toxic relationship