Ubik (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Philip K. Dick (Author), Manuel Espin (Translator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Ediciones Urano; 4 Tra edition (November 10, 2004)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 8498000831
• ISBN-13: 978-8498000832
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,845,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Science Fiction is Good -- and Murder Mystery as Well [T], November 13, 2006

By 

Miami Bob "Resurgent Reading" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ubik (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

As a general rule, I read very little science fiction. And, when I do, I like for it to be short and not too intricately detailed about the science aspects. That's me.

Since this was so highly rated by Time Magazine, I gave it a try. I was amazed to discover that this book complies with both of my requests of science fiction. Additionally, it merges Asimov with Raymond Chandler. "Ubik" is a whodunit, with concepts of psi powers and lunar travel and videophones. . . . to solve a murder (or are there murders?). The key science fiction element is the "half life" - a state where the deceased somehow are hooked to machines which allow them to communicate with the living while their bodies lay dormant in a conservatory. Sound a bit like "Matrix" or how about "Minority Report?"

We work in and out of this half life concept, and the same becomes confoundedly confusing when it appears that one of the paranormal's psi powers can control the world about the half life by changing time and all around us. Mind over matter. All that matters is in the mind. If you love the volley between mind and reality, also reach for Murakami's "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World: A Novel."

"Ubik" should be made into a film, especially as author Dick complied by finalizing a screenplay before his early death. But, alas his manuscript is not on celluloid. But, his ideas are - as reflected by the movies recited above - and some accuse the "13th Floor" to be a ripoff of Dick's "half life" concept which arouses your imagination in "Ubik".

Finally, like so much literature of the 1960's, the ending is a great twist. It throws you off balance. It truly is an ending which Rod Serling would have loved.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read from my favourite author, August 21, 2007

By 

Paul O "techieGuy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ubik (Solaris) (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Excellent! If you like reality bending stories you will thoroughly enjoy Ubik. My copy did not have a plot spoiling description on the back, but I agree with the other reviewers and suggest that you just dive in.
My second favorite PKD book may be Maze of Death, both books I have read multiple times, and have given away copies of. Would really like to see someone like Spielberg tackle this one as a film.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his very best, August 18, 2007

By 

C. S. Junker "soul_survivor" (Burien, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ubik (Solaris) (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

I'd read several of Philip K. Dick's novels, and many of his short stories, before picking up UBIK. Even so, nothing could have prepared me for the wild roller-coaster ride of this story.

I don't think I've ever been quite as gripped by a book as I was by this one. I was accustomed to Dick's writing style and his inimitable strangeness, but I think he surpassed himself in this one. I read feverishly and after I was done, I sat there, stunned. I thought about nothing else for days.

Fortunately the Bantam Books edition I read said nothing about the plot or even the premise, which was a wise decision. If you pick this one up, I recommend not reading the blurb. Current editions have massive spoilers. Accordingly I'm avoiding describing the story in any way here.

Now that Dick has become massively popular, it's become more fashionable to critique his sometimes clumsy writing style. His writing does have its flaws but few authors can equal him for sheer readability. Some of his earlier 60s novels, such as MARTIAN TIME-SLIP, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRITCH, were not as hastily written and the prose is more polished. UBIK was written in the late 60s about the same time as DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? and these novels are hastily written. Still, as with H.P. Lovecraft (whose prose is far worse than Dick's), it's the quality of his vision that makes him great, and Dick was a natural storyteller, even though he lacks the polish of Jack Vance or Robert Silverberg.

UBIK is based on ideas first developed in a PKD short story, "What the Dead Men Say." To some extent UBIK is an expansion of that story but it goes way beyond. This is the ultimate metaphysical SF novel.