Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, not bad at all
Review: After the third World War ended, millions of humans lay dead, entire species of animals became extinct, and the earth was covered with a thick radioactive dust. The dust was so harmful it eradicated species such as owls and toads. Many other species became extremely rare. An animal seen in the wild was unheard of, but people still were able to keep certain types of animals alive by caring for them as their pets. To own a real live animal was a great status symbol, something that people took great pride in. However not all could afford real animals, so companies produced artificial ones. The dust also had an adverse effect on humans; it worn down their physical appearance and even corrupted their brains. Many humans elected to leave earth and set up colonies on Mars. One company that produced artificial animals decided it would be profitable to manufacture artificial humans. These androids were sent to the colonies to work, but some aspired to be more than a mere slave. They would escape to earth where they hoped top have a life. Androids could be detected only by administering tests. The humans on earth, realized the havoc these androids could cause, made it illegal for them to be on earth. Bounty hunters were employed to ¡°retire¡± these androids taking refuge on the earth. Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, struggled with his career and his humanity. This led him to consider whether the androids just existed or were alive. Deckard had to choose whether to retire six fugitive androids and possibly face his own demise, or quit his job. This book brings up topics that we may have to address in the future, such as world war, extinction of animals, and artificial beings. The author attempts to make the reader come to his/her own conclusion on whether any of the electric beings are actually alive. Some of the language used is quite confusing, and some details are lost due to this. However one could still comprehend the issues presented. The story had a descent rhythm and does not drag anywhere. One thing that could have explained more thoroughly was the world war. The background information about the war is minimal to say the least. Dick could have developed the history behind the war in order to answer questions one might have. The ending leaves some lose ends, but overall it is quite a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it
Review: I'll hold my hand up now and say that I'm not a sci-fi afficionado. However, I must make an exception in the case of 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'. This is one original and fiercely intelligent novel, which transcends the genre that spawned it: it is the equal of many highly regarded works of 'serious' literature and undoubtedly the product of a formidable intellect. The ideas that Philip K Dick generates and the way he applies them to the human condition in this book throw up some fascinating themes: is empathy what makes us human? Is life precious for its own sake? Can we be sure that we are even 'alive'? The novel is set on a post holocaust Earth now only sparsely populated by 'specials' - humans whose genes have been rendered defective by radioactive dust - and a few others. The remaining healthy humans have migrated to Mars, seduced by the promise of owning their own android. The value of life on Earth is so high that a ludicrous extreme now exists, where the ultimate status goal is to own a live animal - which only the affluent, or the desperate, can afford. The sad, but cheap, alternative is to own an electric replica in order to save face with the neighbours. Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter, his job to 'retire' renegade androids who have escaped from Mars. Six of the latest, highly sophisticated, Nexus 6 models have committed murder and escaped to Earth. The trouble is, these androids are so convincing it is only possible to be sure they are not human by gauging their reflex reactions to a series of questions, to test their empathy. This approach obviously has its shortcomings - the android could well have a laser gun pointed at you underneath the table. Set over the course of a single day, the novel charts the psychological voyage of discovery that Deckard unwittingly embarks on which sees him transformed from a down at heel private eye, who does his job without ever questioning the ethics or consequences, to an existentially uncertain refusenik who is profoundly unsure of his own sanity. Dick's novel was the inspiration for Ridley Scott's 'Bladerunner', though the two are significantly different. Where 'Bladerunner' is a sort of ultra stylish sci-fi film noir 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a more cerebral experience that touches on some fairly weighty philosophical themes. The film is visually stunning and manages to captures a nightmarish vision of a post apocalyptic future more perfectly than any other movie in the last twenty years, except perhaps 'Terminator'. It is a work of atmosphere over ideas, though this isn't a criticism. The book covers more ground - certain elements, such as the bizarre religion Mercerism and the almost fanatical sociological obsession with live animals, are omitted from 'Bladerunner', and these help to contextualise the warped evolution of human life on earth since World War Terminus. In conclusion this book is a classic, and that is not a term I would use lightly. It works on all sorts of levels, whether you're after a thought provoking exploration on what it means to be 'alive' or simply an exciting, well written sci-fi detective yarn. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep quite a few years ago, and many years after seeing the movie that was based on this book, "Blade Runner." It was an extremely engrossing read. If you've seen the movie, don't worry about the book being old hat. The two are actually quite different. The whole premise is kind inverted. Instead of the replicants being hunted down because they had developed emotion, they are being hunted down because they HAVE no emotion, so have no qualms about killing others. It's definitely a twist, but a very interesting one. The preciousness of life, particularly animal life, however, is probably even more emphasized in the book than the movie. In addition, the book adds another dimension called Murcererism, which is this odd hi-tech form of religion. Kind of a machine that produces spiritual experiences and thus makes life more livable in a post-apocalyptic world where all animals (aside from humans) have been made extinct by the radiation from the bombs.
Rating:
Summary: A theology text
Review: A great work that differs from the film quite a bit. The text is more theological and comparibly vivid in imagery (that's saying a lot). Recommened from a non-sci-fi fan.
Rating:
Summary: like much PKD, this book will make you dizzy
Review: There is little that I can say that would do more than echo the sentiments of other reviewers. However, I would like to remark upon the amazing insight which PKD makes in this book by focusing on empathy as the defining characteristic of the human state. His depiction of a desolate and disjointed humanity attempting to make a connection (any connection) with the living world which they have despoiled by falling back once again on technology (the mood organ, Mercerism and the electric sheep of the novel's title) is brilliant. As I read DADOES, I found myself reevaluating my own humanity along with the protagonist. Like much of PKD's work, DADOES challenges our conceptions of reality. You will not walk away from this book unchanged.
Rating:
Summary: Wow, just wow.
Review: Wow, just wow. What can I say. I just finished reading DADoES and I'm baffled. I read this book in only 1 and a half days. Deckard is very humanized in this. I love the character of J. R. Isidore (a. k. a. J. F. Sebastian) and his relationship with the androids. If you haven't read this book, you must! This book should be hailed as one of the best books of all time!
Rating: 
Summary: A poorly written sci-fi book. Deserves 2-3 stars.
Review: This is a fair review; I have a feeling that many reviewers are listening to other "rave" reviews of this book and biasing their evaluations. If one truly examined this book, one will find a whole lot of cheesy dialogue, lame objects and situations, and just plain abstract ideas that were never intended to be defined. This book tries to handle "deep" themes, but fails miserably. The ending is horrible, it actually wraps up very little. Bottom line is: DADOES and the ideas it explores may have been decent during the period in which it was written; by today's sci-fi (or literature in general) standards, however, it comes across as a mediocre book.
Rating:
Summary: ye sheep
Review: You flock of PKD sheep.You want a review? Well listen up.Here's a novel idea old Phil may have approved of-try letting PKD virgins think for themselves and decide on their own the individual merits of each book.Rather then lead them by the kiwis to your asinine opinions and interpretations on just what in the universe he was trying to impart.That said,I think DADOES is a perfect intro to PKD's works.Oh,and something else.Comparing Blade Runner to the source is an excercise in stupidity,at least for the reasons mainly given.Keep the comparisons in their respective mediums.Compare the book with other books and the movie with other sci-fi movies.I mean every body knows movies rarely live up to the books.I think the book,like most PKD,is far superior than other attempts in the sci-fi genre,in fact he transcends it.Yet in the same vein,Blade Runner is a dark,moody beautifully complex and adult film,at least as far as most Hollywood sci-fi fodder goes.Come on,Hollywood generally throws in some cute muppets,a plot fit for the Care Bears or G.I.Joe, and they've got themselves a sci-fi movie.It's not even a question of which is better or worse.I don't think the movie is either better or worse, just different.And getting caught up in the pros and cons is plain pointless,and may cause you or someone who buys into you to miss just what a unique film BR actually is.I read the book when i was a teenager and I was literally chilled by it's tale of a man ordered to hunt and kill machines and in so doing is exposed for what he is- a "person" who really is more soulless and machinelike than the humanoids he's supposed to murder.When I saw the movie I was equally amazed.But don't take my word for it,especially those who are new to PKD's world,excercise your right to free thought and decide for yourselves.Don't listen to the fascist critics.
Rating:
Summary: Who needs Blade Runner?
Review: For anyone who has seen the movie first, don't expect to bereading the script. This book is written with intelligence,curiousity, and most all, originality. It reads all the way to end asif it were one long sentence ending in a single question mark, much like the title. The PC game captures the essence of the book much more than movie. An excellent book for those who think, because this one will make you.
Rating: 
Summary: I have not read this book!
Review: Even though I have not read this book, I thought the cover looked good. I saw the movie and I liked it. I read all the other reviews for this book. Here is my review of this book that I have not read based on the other reviews I read. PKD wrote this book before the movie and it is very different from the movie. This book has more words than the movie does and unless you are a speed reader you will probably spend more time reading this book than watching the movie. Personally I wish all the other reviewers get eaten by a bear!
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