Rating: 
Summary: Dick's mainstream attempt that bites deep
Review: Over the last two decades Philip K. Dick has slowly gained in repute as one of this centuries' most inventive and prolific authors: a sci-fi auteur who cranked out pulp masterpieces by the dozen while surviving on horsemeat and methamphetamine. There are several themes prevalent in the majority of Dick's oeuvre: paranoia, drugs, the nature of God, schizophrenic time/space variations, aliens, semi-tragic characters in often archetypical clothing. _Confessions of a Crap Artist_, however, contains almost none of these bizarre themes; as one of Dick's stabs at the mainstream, _Confessions_ is a straightforward examination of life in Southern California the 50's, with 'normal' people co-existing by 'wackos,' both of whom, in typical Dick fashion, change places over the course of the novel.Jack Isodore is a crap artist, a collector of crackpot theories and useless junk, a man endlessly fascinated by the world's unexplained secrets be they legitimate or not. But he is also happy and fairly satisfied by his life, something that cannot be said for his sister-in-law Judy and her husband Charlie, painted in broad strokes as a shrew and the man she uses, respectable on the surface but narrow-minded and demented when closely examined. Their 'American Dream' lifestyle, the house and the farm and the three little kids, is altered/destroyed by manipulation and dissatisfaction with said 'Dream', and when set in place next to Jack's lackadaisical routines and surprisingly strong moral fiber, the line between crazy and normal blurs with rapid intensity. Along with _The Man in the High Castle_, this is among Dick's most lucid works, and probably the place novices should start first. Though a quick read, the implications and undercurrents of _Confessions of a Crap Artist_ should resonate within the reader for some time after completion, which, in my opinion, is the truest mark of a worthwhile book. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Dick's real-life drama as startling as his sci-fi
Review: Readers of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" will recognize the character of Jack Isidore right off. He plays a very similar role in this book as that one; in both places he is a semi-autistic outcast who obsesses over religion (in "Androids") and the out-of-the-ordinary. The differences are:1. "Crap Artist," though not released until 1975, was written in 1959, nine years before "Androids" and 2. This is not a science fiction novel, per se. Indeed, here we see Dick writing about the obsessions and personality disorders of the every-day man. He writes it in Faulkner-fashion; letting his characters trade off first person accounts. Jack is only one of them. The tale of spouse abuse, UFO-worshipping, deception, and modern convenience is brilliant. Had Dick refined a few of the early chapters, it would have been perfect. A dark, and overlooked treasure
Rating:
Summary: Dick's real-life drama as startling as his sci-fi
Review: Readers of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" will recognize the character of Jack Isidore right off. He plays a very similar role in this book as that one; in both places he is a semi-autistic outcast who obsesses over religion (in "Androids") and the out-of-the-ordinary. The differences are:1. "Crap Artist," though not released until 1975, was written in 1959, nine years before "Androids" and 2. This is not a science fiction novel, per se.
Indeed, here we see Dick writing about the obsessions and personality disorders of the every-day man. He writes it in Faulkner-fashion; letting his characters trade off first person accounts. Jack is only one of them. The tale of spouse abuse, UFO-worshipping, deception, and modern convenience is brilliant. Had Dick refined a few of the early chapters, it would have been perfect. A dark, and overlooked treasure
Rating:
Summary: Secret Literature
Review: The thing about Mr. Dick is that everyone has seen BLADE RUNNER and then they run out and buy one of his books. He is forever trapped by his absolutely stunning Sci-Fi (not that that is a drawback). However, with CONFESSIONS we see a side of Mr. Dick that is frequently overlooked: we see an attention to human suffering and confusion that would put him on par with an Updike or a Baxter as a student of the human condition. And that is the true genius of the man. When we read CONFESSIONS we see reality disguised as a Sci-Fi novel. We see a powerful literary voice that transcends genre and speaks to the human heart. We see that part of Mr. Dick that gave spark and life to the imaginative narratives of his other novels, without which they would have been nothing but dime store ramblings. His science is a highly stylized body for his work, powerful and compelling, but this fiction, this human fiction, is the work's soul.
Put simply, if all of the works of the Twentieth Century are destroyed except for CONFESSIONS, scholars will look back on that one remnant and they will say "There was a great and secret literature in those days. If all books were as great as this one then we weep at the loss. We weep at the loss." That Mr. Dick has passed on, denying us any more CONFESSIONS, is enough to make me weep as well.
Rating:
Summary: May not be sci-fi, but still plenty innovative
Review: There are no aliens or time travel in this novel, but that doesn't mean this book isn't without Dickian genius. In _Confessions_, Dick uses multiple POVs -- two first-person (by Jack and Fay) and two third-person narrations (in the minds of Charlie and Nate) -- and does it without even telling us (unlike Faulkner in As I Lay Dying). In the beginning it sort of comes as a shock, but you get used to it quite nicely, and Dick does a good job of sticking to the voice. As far as the plot was concerned, it's nothing like Dick's sci-fi novels -- fairly straightforward, even simplistic, you might say: the story of Jack, the brother of Fay, who stays with Fay and Charlie and gradually learns that maybe he isn't so bad off after all compared to these "sane" people. I think the ending comes a little too quickly and easily, but overall, it's a solid effort. After having read now about ten Dick novels, I think it can be safely said that he was no real fan of women. I believe Dick's women by and large tend to be deceptive, nasty creatures, Fay being perhaps the worst of the lot. - SJW
Rating:
Summary: Best of Dick's mainstream novels
Review: This book, written in 1959 and finally published in 1975, was the first of Dick's mainstream novels to appear in book form. In many ways it is probably the best: its multi-focal narration offers inside glimpses into the minds of two of Dick's most fascinating characters-the "crap artist" Jack Isidore and his sister Fay Hume. The novel derives its energy from the juxtaposition of their radically different perspectives. Jack was the classic nerd in high school, who was obsessed with pseudoscience and adolescent power fantasies, which if anything have intensified as he has grown into his thirties. Faye is impulsive, uninhibited, outspoken, and aggressively sexual. But the root of her attractiveness lies in her ability to live in the moment with a seeming intensity and freedom. This combination is potent in tempting Nat Anteil, a young student, away from his wife, while driving Fay's husband Charlie to a violent end. The predictably tragic consequences of this situation put the reader in the odd position of identifying with the nerd, whose emotionally stunted state make him an ideal and acute observer of the passionate madness of the other characters.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Stuff
Review: This was the first of Dick's mainstream novels I read, it made me wonder what kind of mainstream writer Dick would have made had he found more success in the genre (was the 50's society he wrote about too conservative to accept these novels?).
Even though this story is set in a 50's environment, it doesn't miss a beat in any regard, Confessions of a Crap Artist is as engrossing and page-turning a book as any of his science fiction novels. The way the story unfolds keeps you at the edge of your seat and you may find yourself laughing at the insanity of regular, seemingly successful people who dig themselves into giant ruts by involving themselves with people when they should know better.
If you like Phillip K. Dick's work you must read this novel, if you buy it it will take a valued place in your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting,enjoyable, a story that will stick with the reader.
Review: Those familiar with Dick's work will enjoy this. And new-comer's to Dick's style (Or Sci-Fi entirely) will become thirsty for more. Chronicalling the (supposed) social misfit, Jack Isidore, as he speaks his mind about science, life, and his family. In Berkley (where most of Dick's work takes place), California, Jack resides and lives, until he is taken in by his sibling, and brother-in -law. There, begins a story that raises intriguing questions, affairs, madness, and life as a supposed misfit. After reading this, you WILL know Jack Isidore. Warning: This book will stick with you for a long time! Also, if you get a chance, look into the movie based on this book: Barjo, the 1993 French film.NOTE:NEVER LISTEN TO THE DESCRIPTION OF PHILIP K. DICK's BOOKS, THAT ARE ON THE BACK. FOR SOME REASON, THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY, ESPECIALLY "WE CAN BUILD YOU". The backs make each book sound like every other crappy second-rate sci-fi book. THEY ARE NOT.
Rating:
Summary: As recognizably Dick as any of his "sci-fi" novels
Review: While Confessions of A Crap Artist is constantly reffered to as one of Dick's mainstream novels, it deals with many of the same issues tackled by his science fiction. His characters are perhaps more well developed here than in some of his earlier science fiction novels, but they are similar to characters you might find in any (and all) his works. Dick dwells on issues of alienation, inter-personal struggles between dominant and submisive personality types and the huge gaps in understanding between people who otherwise would be thought to be quite close to each other. This is one of his more powerfull works as far as exploration of these issues goes, and I would recomend it to any PKD fan.
Rating:
Summary: "Philip K. Dick meets J.D. Salinger."
Review: Wow, this book is crazy! Dick tries to set himself up as a mainstream novelist, and SUCCEEDS!...but can't hide his sci-fi soul. More conventional than any Dick I've read, "Crap Artist" is a very powerful, searching book. The characters are 3-D, the settings are real, and the only aliens are in Jack Isidore's head. If you like your fiction a little bent, and if you want to see what a great pulp novelist can do with straight narrative, this is the book
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