'Ubik' Review (Spoiler-Free)

Going into reading Ubik, all I knew was that Philip K. Dick was its author and that it was some kind of science fiction. Unlike other editions of the book, the cover of my copy shows not a spray can of the eponymous substance, but a mix of strange, colorful, clipart-y images. I was so ready to get reading what promised to be a mind-bending sci-fi tale.

But the last thing I expected was a religious allegory.

Ubik starts off pretty straightforward, introducing a then-future 1992 when the consciousness of the dead can be stored for a prolonged but limited time. Also, absolutely everything must be paid for via coin slots, and the moon has been colonized. It only gets more bizarre from there, though.

I got a couple things wrong when I started reading. Firstly, I expected Glen Runciter, head of a company that tracks down those with psychic powers, to be the main character. However, that role falls to his employee Joe Chip. Secondly, I didn't realize the title was pronounced Yoo-bik, short for ubiquity. I'd assumed it was Oo-bik. Ubik also isn't introduced until we're well into the story, something I also didn't expect.

There's a good reason for my confusion. The book throws its readers right into the action without explaining the specifics. We read about Ray Hollis, inertials, and telepaths, but we only learn what these are when they appear more concretely. New characters are constantly introduced, though Dick does a pretty good job of keeping them differentiated without making any of them really fleshed-out. More than the characters, the setting and concept of Ubik are at the forefront. It took some effort pushing through the first few chapters, but by the time a humanoid bomb appeared (not really a spoiler), I was hooked.

Without giving too much away, here's what I liked about Ubik: I enjoyed the premise. The book definitely scratched my itch for a good sci-fi read, piling on the futuristic aspects. PKD's vision is scarily plausible (okay, maybe besides the psychic powers). Characters are offered tranquilizers and stimulants as part of their medical care. Joe Chip has to pay to even open his front door.

I liked the idea of Ubik itself. There's something eerie about it, but also comforting. Every time I see a spray can, I think of the novel; it definitely left a lasting impression.

There's a real sense of danger in the plot as it moves along. While I didn't really care when characters died, I still feared for their lives when they were alive. There's a creeping sense of dread that gets worse as the novel goes on, which I enjoyed.

I also really like Dick's vision of futuristic clothing. It's hilarious!

There were, however, a couple things that were less than satisfying. For one, the characters are very flat. There were points where I hoped for some kind of emotional payoff, but emotions were omitted for the most part. The focus is on the action, and the characters are sacrificed for this. The descriptions of female characters also made me roll my eyes.

Also, if you're looking for a completely satisfying ending that wraps everything up... you get one, but you kind of don't. I felt a little cheated by the ending explanation, especially because the buildup was so exciting. It helps to go in expecting to enjoy the journey without waiting on a logical and satisfying end.

As this is my first PKD book, I can't compare it to his others yet. However, it's a solid science fiction novel on its own. If you want a quick but mind-boggling read with a fun premise, I'd definitely recommend it.

Rating: 8/10