Book Review: Ubik by Phillip K. Dick (ENG-SPA)
Science fiction is a narrative subgenre not widely appreciated by literary orthodoxy. I don't know the first author in these fields to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. But without a doubt, this appreciation from cultured circles doesn't diminish it in any way. Even more so when we consider the boom in audiences mobilized by film adaptations of his great works. At least for me, that's how I see it, and in that sense, I appreciate the creativity and efforts of the writers who have delighted me since I was a child.
A quarter of the reviews, I correct, comments I've written about books this year, touch on topics that make us dream and speculate about what the world of the future will be like. So, today I'll return to one of the most representative works of the American novelist Philip K. Dick: "Ubik."
A necessary aside: this is the first novel I've read by this prolific author, and I confess that it caught me off guard with some concepts, despite being published in 1969. I don't know if this is his masterpiece. However, if you read it, you might feel like it will blow your mind, as it did mine in several ways.
As always, I won't spoil the pleasure with any more spoilers than the brief synopsis provided by the publishers.
Free English translation of the book synopsis
You can infer where the story is headed: plot and suspense, subjective perception of reality, death, corporate dominance, time distortions, and the oppression of a hyperconsumerist society. Yes, a somewhat surreal experience that raises metaphysical and philosophical speculations that will leave you thinking about old ideas, like, for example, limbo, but seen from the perspective of potential corporate exploitation, thanks to questionable technologies.
I've read and heard critics conclude that Philip K. Dick didn't have many literary resources, but they recognize his genius in his use of novel ideas and how he wove them together. I once again denounce my ignorance of literary matters; I don't know what resources they're referring to. For me, this novel captivated me from beginning to end. At least, the Spanish translation by Martín Espín for Martínez Roca Editions did.
If you've never delved into the science fiction subgenre, this is a must-read. Well written, with solid plots to entertain and stimulate not only your imagination.
In conclusion, I consider "Ubik" to be a novel that challenges not only traditional narrative conventions but also our own beliefs, with a cryptic style that is revealed as the plots (various perspectives from one or multiple overlapping realities) intertwine with subtlety. It touches on universal themes: the fragility of reality, the influence of corporations on our lives, and the constant search for meaning in a world that varies beyond our understanding.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information about the translator, Martín Espín. I suppose it's because at the time, it wasn't common practice for major publishers to register them in databases. Or perhaps they were lost in the transition to digital. So, this is a pending task.
The book's review by @janaveda
The thumbnail was made from a screenshot of the book cover
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La ciencia ficción es un subgénero narrativo no muy apreciado por la ortodoxia literaria. No conozco al primer autor en estos temas, galardonado con un Nobel de Literatura. Pero sin lugar a dudas, esta apreciación de los círculos cultos no la desmerita en absoluto. Mas sí, consideramos el auge de la audiencia movilizada por las adaptaciones cinematográficas de sus grandes obras. Al menos para mí, así lo considero, y en tal sentido, agradezco la creatividad y los esfuerzos de los escritores que me han deleitado desde niño.
Un cuarto de las reseñas, corrijo, comentarios que he escrito sobre libros en este año, toca temas que nos hacen soñar y especular sobre cómo será el mundo del futuro. Así que hoy reincidiré con una de las obras más representativas del novelista norteamericano Philip K. Dick: «Ubik».
Un inciso necesario, es la primera novela que he leído de este prolifero autor, y confieso que me agarró desprevenido con algunos conceptos, a pesar de publicarse en 1969. ¿No sé si esta es su obra prima? Empero, si la lees, quizás sientas que te volará la cabeza como lo hizo conmigo en varios aspectos.
Como siempre, no les quitaré el placer con spoiler más de la breve sinopsis que dan sus propios editores.
Sinopsis tomada del libro
Podéis inferir por dónde camina la historia: complot y suspenso, percepción de la realidad desde lo subjetivo, la muerte, el dominio corporativo, distorsiones temporales y la opresión de una sociedad de hiperconsumo. Sí, una experiencia algo surrealista que plantea especulaciones metafísicas y filosóficas que te dejarán pensando sobre ideas antiguas como, por ejemplo, el limbo, pero vista desde una potencial explotación empresarial gracias a tecnologías cuestionables.
He leído y escuchado a críticos que concluyen que Philip K. Dick no disponía de muchos recursos literarios, mas le reconocen genialidad en el empleo de ideas novedosas y en el cómo las hilvanaba. Vuelvo a denostar mi ignorancia en materia literaria; desconozco a qué recursos se refieren. A mí, esta novela me cautivó desde el principio hasta el final. Al menos, la traducción al español a cargo de Martín Espín para ediciones Martínez Roca.
Si nunca se han adentrado en el subgénero de ciencia ficción, esta es una lectura imprescindible. Bien escrita, con argumentos sólidos para recrearte y estimular no solo la imaginación.
En conclusión, considero que «Ubik» es una novela que desafía, no solo las convenciones narrativas tradicionales, también nuestras propias creencias con un estilo críptico que se devela en la medida que se entrecruzan con sutilezas las tramas (varias perspectivas de una o de múltiples realidades superpuestas). Toca temas universales: la fragilidad de la realidad, la influencia de las corporaciones en nuestras vidas y la constante búsqueda de sentido en un mundo que varía más allá de nuestra comprensión.
Del traductor, Martín Espín, por desgracia, no conseguí información. Supongo que porque en aquella época no era una práctica habitual de las grandes editoriales registrarlos en las bases de datos. O tal vez se perdieron en la transición a lo digital. Así que esta es una tarea pendiente.
Reseña del libro por @janaveda
La miniatura se creó a partir de la captura de la portada del libro
Gracias por leerme. Espero que esta reseña sea de su agrado. Me gustaría mucho leer sus comentarios al respecto para enriquecerme con sus críticas.
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Phillip K. Dick...brilliant author. Subgenre? Science fiction tops the charts for me :) H.G. Wells? George Orwell? Where can you find writers who have had a greater impact on modern society? The list is long in this 'subgenre'. You are correct. These writers have captured my imagination since I was an adolescent reader.
Ubik is on my list. My son (we share this interest) sent me a copy and it is waiting. Now I'm even more eager to read it.
Great review, @janaveda
Hi, @agmoore,
I'm really happy your son sent you a copy of Ubik. I believe you'll truly enjoy reading it. I won't spoil anything, but I can tell you it has ideas I haven't seen adapted to film yet—probably because it would be a challenging project. Nolan certainly borrowed concepts from Dick for his film Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
I'm glad we share, like your son, this passion for science fiction.
Best wishes.
And certainly as teenagers, enraptured - it was the first step up for me from YA fiction. I loved John Wyndam, Heinlein, Wells, Orwell, Le Guin, Asimov - they had such an effect on me. Good to know they did on others too.
I don't know what your background was like, but I was suffocating :)) My mother was the best person in the world, but conservative Catholic. School was lower middle class and rather narrow in social and academic reach. My salvation was the library. Ideas I didn't hear about anywhere else. What a joy. Science fiction, of course, offered the most exciting, liberating ideas...
I had a great upbringing. All that sci Fi was Mums! She loved it. I was raised reading - and before the Internet and everyone telling you what to think, yep, books.
I've just listened to half the audio of Ubik today. What an absolute crazy read. Wild. I don't think I understood it as a kid but loving it now. Those sci-fi authors sure grappled with incredible ideas.
Le Guin was pretty formative for me. She enabled me to understand the process of othering, of the lens through which we see the world, our social constraints and constructions, how gender is constructed, before travel and university.
We all grow up in pretty small towns that literature expands.
I thought about this last night, and couldn't leave the discussion there. I do a great injustice to my mother by writing off her worldview by saying, 'She was orthodox Catholic'. Catholicism gave her the language to express a level of insight about life I have not yet achieved.
People hire life coaches. They travel around the world to sit at the feet of gurus. They take mind-altering drugs. All in the name of finding truth, an enlightened way forward.
My mother knew the way. There was never a kinder person. Never a person with less pretense. Charity? When we were living with a 'couch' that consisted of three folding chairs, she pledged $300 to the neighborhood church for a new roof. She visited sick people she didn't know. Most of all, she was forgiving.
All of that was boring for me. I had to travel my own path, and it's been bumpy, full of mistakes. But I think in my head my mother has always set the standard for good.
It's so sweet you came back to explain that it wasn't your mother, it was you. I totally understand - my parents set a moral benchmark and a way of life I too ran from. Life seemed bigger to me, perhaps as I had found examples of that in the pages of books. So I left in search of excitement tooi
I do envy people who feel that surety of faith and a strong life purpose because of it. I'll never believe in God, but those that feel guided by a higher purpose have something I'll never have.
🌷🌷♥️
Phillip K. Dick is such a genius. I've read just a book of his and felt so guilty of not having the time dedicating to read more of his. Thanks for showing me this recommendation that I can delve into, sounds like a book I could easily get lost into.
Hi, @macchiata
Set the guilt aside and make time for this read. You won't regret it. By the way, which Dick book did you read? I'll add it to my reading list.
Best regards
Well, there's a lot of people on Hive who appreciate him!
Funny, I don't appreciate Jane Eyre, which has most English literature people go nuts. I could clear the room with a lot of the literature everyone else likes and I abhor!
I love good science fiction. Of course, some of it is trash, but I was raised on Asimov, Heinlein and of course the incredible Ursula Le Guin, which I'm still trying to get @holoz0r to read. He might have something to add about Dick here, for sure.
I read Ubik rather recently. One of my favourite reads of the year, so far :)
I am currently composing a wish list of all the Philip K Dick novels on Amazon, so that I might be able to buy them all when / if they go on sale, and as a quick reference of what I need when I'm wandering aimlessly through op shops.