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mfshill's review against another edition
4.0
A tippy adventure through a surreal vision of our world. A great underlying storyline keeps things flowing right to the last page. Sacrifice for the truth comes in many forms.
pilja_colada's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tio_90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
smellie_mooo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexpinard's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.5
matticatti's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
coletravers's review against another edition
4.0
A Scanner Darkly is very singularly focused about the drug culture of the 1960s-70s. It succeeds greatly in its depiction and reflection on drug abuse and its consequences. The conversations feel eerily similar to those that real drug-addled minds have, and the situations seem plausible. It is for large swaths a ridiculous novel, but only because that is how drugged minds act. The growing separation of the shared characters Bob Arctor and Fred was excellently and subtly done. There was really no point where PKD declared the two characters more separated, they just slowly drifted apart. The POV changes were done sporadically and meshed together more as the novel went on. The ending was brilliant in its reflections and its plot. The only major flaw I would remark on is the science fiction itself. It takes a bit away from the story that is so inextricably tied to reality for the sake of technology that is mostly unnecessary for the story (although I did appreciate the Scramble Suits, so take this criticism as tempered). Generally, the story does feel a bit plain throughout as well, and prevents me from believing this story to be amazing, but it was still insightful.
davideatssharks's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very good. It almost feels like Magical Realism at times, but never really delves into actual magic. I highly recommend reading about Philip K. Dick's life, drug addiction, and delusions either before or directly after finishing this book, because there are some direct parallels that make understanding the stranger bits easier.
Now let's address the elephant in the room. This book is about drugs. It feels like it was written by someone on drugs. Drugs permeate thoughout every facet of this book. In most ways, I feel the drugs are handled fairly well; however, like Infinite Jest, there's quite a few inaccuracies about things like effects, composition, etc due to propaganda and botched studies about drugs when the book was written. That being said, it doesn't mess with the story or ideas presented in any way.
I highly suggest this book, but I also think this book would be substantial easier to follow in print, rather than in audiobook format. There are quite a few sudden interjections of long passages that can be very jarring and confusing in the audiobook. I had to back the book up several time the first few times this happened, because I thought the book had skipped over a large section into a new one.
Now let's address the elephant in the room. This book is about drugs. It feels like it was written by someone on drugs. Drugs permeate thoughout every facet of this book. In most ways, I feel the drugs are handled fairly well; however, like Infinite Jest, there's quite a few inaccuracies about things like effects, composition, etc due to propaganda and botched studies about drugs when the book was written. That being said, it doesn't mess with the story or ideas presented in any way.
I highly suggest this book, but I also think this book would be substantial easier to follow in print, rather than in audiobook format. There are quite a few sudden interjections of long passages that can be very jarring and confusing in the audiobook. I had to back the book up several time the first few times this happened, because I thought the book had skipped over a large section into a new one.
jasonpolachek's review against another edition
dark
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
sfo's review against another edition
4.0
This book and Requiem for a Dream have probably done more to dissuade drug use than DARE ever did. The way in which future undercover cops work is extremely interesting, and although the dissociation of the main character was not conveyed as well as it could have been, the characters remain captivating. I'm not sure I would ever expect a book with this premise to be happy, but I also I didn't expect the sadness of the ending.