September’s pick for our book club was Chicago born writer, Philip K. Dick’s Ubik. Written in the late 60’s, it takes place in the “future” set in the 90’s where psychic powers are just part of every day life. There are organizations that are formed that are all people with these powers, or organizations of “intertials” – those that are able to negate those powers.
We follow the main protagonist, Joe Chip in his adventure in which he starts to experience gaps in reality, in which Ubik, an aerosol spray, seems to be the cure for. Without giving too much away, it isn’t until the end where the whole novel comes into perspective and realize things you might have known, you are now unsure. Although I typically don’t like endings where it allows for multiple interpretations, I think because of the nature of the novel, it was done well here.
A lens that I decided to read the novel as about half way through (forgot exactly what in the novel made me think of this) was using a postmodernism lens and the authors takes on it as well as his critique on capitalism. Lot’s of interesting parallels and allusions to a changing America.
Overall, I would give this a 7 or 8 out of 10 and recommend anyone to read it!