I havent posted in the past few weeks. I know I am a terrible person.
I did not enjoy Dr.Bloodmoney.... I also quite disliked Stigmata..
However, I absolutely POSITIVELY LOVE "A Scanner Darkly"!!
I have read it previously, and I have seen the film multiple times. Absolutely love.
So for me, mainly my love for this novel comes from the inner dialogue of the characters. This novel is such a practical and current analysis on society. I think it is the specific nature of the societal issues that make this novel stand out to me among the other great PKD commentaries.
Since Scanner is so specifically exploring the small world of drug addicts, dealers, and the police that once you are done reading, you feel more informed and in the know.
I love getting into the heads of these real-life people. To me, this is one of Dick's more realistic writings so far, honestly not so unrealistic. I think my favorite character is Barris. He reminds me of some of my old friends who got caught up in some bad things. He has a rampant imagination, and combined with a misplaced intelligence, Barris is a recipe for trouble.
Scanner is especially reat to me though, for its amazing balance of profoundness, suspense, and comedy. The first time in this class we have come across comedy from Dick, he does it well. It is a sly, sharp and underhanded type of humor, tainted with a bit of misfortune.
I look forward to reading this book through once more, as I love the ending more than almost any other media I have ever consumed.
The ending of Scanner is my favorite ending to anything, ever. I hope everyone else likes it at least a little bit.
I am curious to read the end now! I have not had the same enjoyment from this book as you have had. While I recognize it is a much different theme than what we have been reading, I really think I haven't warmed up to the characters. Some are still very flat to me, and I am thinking they are a central part of the story (such as Donna), but haven't really seen that developed yet. I am curious about Barris- he's the one that has my interest peaked.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this book as well, I am enjoying understand how people that are using think and interact with others that use. There is a difference, they get into situation that are very abnormal to me and I would be freaking out about, but they are calmly going through it. I think this is fascinating. I have not gotten to the end of this book yet, but I will have to admit you are making excited to finish it! :)
ReplyDeleteAh, how I envy your drive to finish the novel much before it is due. I agree with your assessment of the strong points of the novel relating to how we view the characters operate through their thoughts. It is much more of a case study that makes for a stronger novel compared to some previous works so far.
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