A Maze of Death [Paperback]

Philip K. Dick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1994

Fourteen strangers came to Delmak-O. Thirteen of them were transferred by the usual authorities. One got there by praying. But once they arrived on that planet whose very atmosphere seemed to induce paranoia and psychosis, the newcomers found that even prayer was useless. For on Delmak-O, God is either absent or intent on destroying His creations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Fourteen strangers came to Delmak-O. Thirteen of them were transferred by the usual authorities. One got there by praying. But once they arrived on that planet whose very atmosphere seemed to induce paranoia and psychosis, the newcomers found that even prayer was useless. For on Delmak-O, God is either absent or intent on destroying His creations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; First Edition edition (May 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679752986
• ISBN-13: 978-0679752981
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLUE in space, April 6, 2001

By 

EMAN NEP - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Maze of Death (Paperback)

This is definitely in my top ten list of PKD's best. Here's the basic storyline: An odd group of people find themselves on a planet called Delmak-O. Just as they're about find out what they're there for, the satellite that's supposed to tell them does something strange, leaving them in the dark. Now, clueless as to their reason for being here, they try and find a way to regain communication. But then something else happens. Slowly, they start dying off, and no one knows who is killing who. It sorta reminded me of the movie CLUE. At first you might think that this is just a murder-mystery in space. WRONG. The ending was EXTREMELY unpredictable, but EXTREMELY brilliant. This story could only have come from one of SF's masters, PKD. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but his character development is good enough that you can tell who's who most of the time. I can't believe that this book didn't win an award or something, it's really great. If you find it, read it and enjoy!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and original, July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Maze of Death (Paperback)

See where Hollywood got the idea for "The 13th Floor." This book, and "Ubik" more or less created the genre of psychedelic science fiction. It is one of his most cohesive books, among the most genuinely paranoid, and very much predates Jack Chalker's recent (good) Wonderland trilogy. These are some of his better characters, all trapped on a pathetic planet and trying to figure out what is going on before they die. Now, with all the Hollywood copycats, the ending might seem clichéd. But remember, that he was in that genre first and "Maze of Death" is still champion. Personally, Dick inspired me. I know of no one else who so masterfully writes of that strange domain where psychology, philosophy, theology, and mythology intersect.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent page turner, but a book of despair, February 4, 2000

By 

Guy Salvidge - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Maze of Death (Paperback)

Maze presents the common PKD theme of one ersatz reality, the one in which we believe we live, giving way to another. Invariably this is traumatic, such as in Ubik. In this case, however, all hope is lost as to a solution. Dick's metaphor of the doomed spaceship (being Earth) is gloomy indeed, and it is no surprise that this book was written at a time in Phil's life where he had no hope. The only hope is the mystical removal of Morley at the end, but this could be interpreted as an escape into death. This is not a happy novel.

Nevertheless, as others have said, Maze is possibly the fastest PKD read you will encounter. I have read this book but once, and I was astounded at the time. I rate this extremely highly as a work of fiction, although I suspect that further reading will confirm what others have said - that is that the soul is not there, Dick no longer believes in what he is writing.