Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
by Philip K. Dick
Science Fiction, 244 pages
A Del Rey Book
FTC Disclosure: Purchased from 
This is nothing like the movie “Blade Runner”, which is loosely based on the novel.
Not that this is a bad thing. I like the movie, and I like the book.
However, I advise anyone who has not experienced both, to avoid having any expectations that one is much like the other.
I wasn’t surprised to learn that the director of the film hadn’t read much of the book. That was apparent. Yet what he created helped me visualize aspects of Rick Deckard’s post apocalyptic world. It made my reading experience much more enjoyable. In fact the author confirmed that the filmmakers did interpret that aspect of the book accurately.
For me, a good book always evokes questions that I want answered. It’s what keeps me turning page after page.
The one thought that kept recurring in my mind was, “What makes us human? What differentiates us from other creatures, organic or artificial?”
For the author, he focuses on empathy, which according to Dictionary.com, is “the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.”
We see this manifested in Deckard’s near obsession with owning a real animal. In 2021 Earth, many species have become extinct. To possess and care for any of the remaining creatures is seen as a status symbol. Not only of wealth, but of one’s empathy and “humanness”.
There was something that bothered me though, and may bother other readers as well. But when I thought about it, I am wondering if it was a deliberate act by the author.
You know how some authors have a favorite word, one that is used so often, it becomes a little bothersome? Well, Philip K. Dick loves using “ersatz” in this book. A lot.
Yet it makes sense when you know what the word means: an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine.
Maybe this is what Dick wanted to get across. Is a substitute more or less real than the original? Just because it is a substitute, is it any less precious or valuable? Can we, should we, confer upon it the same feelings, reverence, and respect as we would the original version? Is doing so making us less human, or it more human?
For a book of only 244 pages, there is a lot of quality content that will keep you thinking, and probably re-reading many passages.
I highly recommend it.
Oh, I’ve been wanting to read this because I love the Bladerunner movie, but it’s good to know not to assume it’s going to be anything like the movie. I do find the theme of the story interesting. Great review!
This was a book club pick in my dorm a couple years ago. I bought the book with the expectation of participating but never really got around to reading it. It’s still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read. And I’m thinking that I should dig in. A book that explores so many existential questions sounds like a good book to me. I always like books that make me think and question.