Sat 30 Mar 2024
SF Diary Review: PHILIP K. DICK “Faith of Our Fathers.”
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy , Stories I'm Reading[5] Comments
PHILIP K. DICK “Faith of Our Fathers.” Novelette. First appeared in Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison (Doubleday, hardcover, 1967; cover art by Diane Dillon and Leo Dillon). Collected in The Best of Philip K. Dick (Del Rey, paperback, 1977). Nominated for the Hugo Award in 1968 for Best Novelette of 1967.
A civil servant in Hanoi, which incidentally seems to have won the war, is given an anti-hallucinogen so that he can see the reality behind the television image of the Absolute Benefactor. But is it reality when people see twelve versions? Or is it God? Barely succeeds as a story. (3)
— June 1968.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Philip K. Dick was a very uneven writer. You’re right about “Faith of Our Fathers.” It’s a dud. But then Dick could write a masterpiece like MARTIAN TIME-SLIP and blow your mind!
March 31st, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Philip K Dick was my favorite SF author all through high school college and grad school, all well before he became famous. I’ll have to read this one again and see what I think if it now.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Philip K. Dick was one of my favorite SF writers during the 1960s. I’m also a big fan of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Bloodmoney,_or_How_We_Got_Along_After_the_Bomb
March 31st, 2024 at 10:14 pm
I don’t remember reading that one, though I bought it new when it came out. I don’t understand. How could I not have? (Love the title.)
April 2nd, 2024 at 10:49 am
From reading years ago would give Faith of our Fathers a high ranking.
And Dr Bloodmoney a so so one.
But who knows?