Born in Illinois and later raised in California, Dick began to achieve success in the 1950s for his science fiction works. The sanctity of life; human corruption; privacy and the ethics of technology are often themes in Dick's writing, making his pieces the perfect dystopian antidote in both the 20th and 21st century.
Dick's legacy is an impressive 44 novels and 121 short stories. His short stories have become gold for Hollywood writers, with Minority Report and The Adjustment Bureau given the big screen treatment in successful films during the 2000s.
These short stories were often published in science fiction magazines during Dick's career. A tribute to the impact his work had on the literary canon across the Pond, Dick became the first science fiction writer to be part of The Library of America Series, a nonprofit organisation which champions America's cultural heritage by publishing America's greatest works of literature. Other writers in the LoAS include Zora Neale Hurston, Robert Frost, William Faulkner and Jack Kerouac, who, along with Philip K. Dick, are all featured for their historically important writings.
Each of Dick's short stories are set in a different world, and many in a future time period. However, central to each pieces of writing is a poignant and often haunting exploration of the importance and significance of humanity.
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Thirty five years have passed since Ridley Scott's Blade Runner was released. The Blade Runner legacy goes back Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? which was published in 1968. Although a highly original science fiction story, Philip K Dick's novel is best known for inspiring Scott’s film, which starred Harrison Ford. The 2018 remake stars Ford again, this time next to Ryan Gosling.
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However, there was almost an earlier adaption of Dick's novel. CBS purchased the rights to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in 1968 but the project never made in onto the screen. Filmmaker Bertram Berman was to be the program executive and producer with Dick.
This first edition of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is Berman's personal copy. It contains his signature and is stamped with the address of his production company, Raritan Productions.
The book differs from Scott's film in several ways and has a completely different feel. The novel is post-apocalyptic where most animal species are endangered or extinct, and owning an animal is a sign of status. There is a sub-plot featuring a character called John Isidore who helps the escaped androids. The film is more of a detective-focused crime noir while the book dwells on the threat of androids to human, with the inclusion of a technology-based religion called Mercerism.
Dick died on 2nd March 1982 of a stroke. Blade Runner was released three months later. The film and its lingering legacy continues to inspire readers to investigate Dick's writing.
Berman's copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is priced at $8 800 and is available via the AbeBooks.com marketplace. Check out more here.